Skip to main content

Italy must embrace “internationalisation”

Italian construction equipment manufacturers are being urged to embrace “internationalisation” if they are to survive and prosper, after new figures revealed declining domestic but rising export sales in 2011.
January 6, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Italian construction equipment manufacturers are being urged to embrace “internationalisation” if they are to survive and prosper, after new figures revealed declining domestic but rising export sales in 2011.

Full year road machinery sales in Italy were down 43.6%, and earth moving machine sales by 21.2% on 2010 levels. Sales of concrete machinery (truck mixers, concrete pumps, truck-mounted and stationary pumps, plants, shotcrete) fell by 7% in the last three months of 2011 compared to the third quarter of the year.

The figures were processed by trade association, 2539 Unacea, based on data provided by Istat (The Italian Institute for Statistics).

On a more encouraging note, further Unacea processed Istat figures show exports of Italian earth moving machinery increased by 39%, road machinery by 14% and concrete machinery by 9% in the first 10 months of 2011, compared to the same period of the previous year. Exports of Italian-made tower cranes were also up by 30%, while drilling machine sales rose by 21%. Crushing and screening machinery exports fell by 13%.

Commenting on the figures Paolo Salvadori, president of Le Oru – 2318 IMER Group, said: “The reality is that we have to acknowledge a phenomenon which is no longer cyclical, but structural, that is the transfer of wealth and affluence from Europe to other countries. It is a reality that cannot be eliminated, but managed, first of all, through processes of internationalisation, which does not simply mean selling abroad, but transferring your concept of business to other countries.”

Federico Furlani, managing director of 2595 Simem Spa, said: “The domestic market situation remains invariably negative, while in exports, although there are a few signs of a recovery, we have to deal with competition from ‘emerged’ countries which, like China, are conquering positions in our sector through acquisitions, such as the recent case of  1259 Putzmeister.

“In Italy, recent seismic events could and should act as an effective reminder to return to discussing the quality of concrete and its production process: pre-mixing, automation and process control. From this perspective, we hope that there will soon be a response from the government, because these provisions could contribute to the growth that the country needs so urgently.”

Enrico Prandini, of 2300 Komatsu Utility Europe and vice president of Unacea, said the need to reduce the Italian public debt had limited investment in national infrastructure.

He added: “It risks negating all the sacrifices the population has made: if there is not a return to making investments, the recession will continue to increase the public debt and interest rates on it, sending the economy into a downward spiral."

%$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.unacea.org unacea false http://www.unacea.org/ false false%>

%$Linker: 2 Internal 2 4824 0 oLinkInternal <span class="oLinkInternal"><span class="oLinkInternal">View more videos</span></span> Video false /event-news/intermat-2012/video/ true false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Sany’s HBT 60C-1816 stationary concrete pump
    April 12, 2012
    As well as choosing Intermat 2012 to unveil its truck-mounted concrete pumps, Sany will also be showcasing its recently launched stationary models. The HBT 60C-1816 is, according to the Chinese company, a response to increasing market demand for ever greater performance in drive and delivery pressure. Attractively designed and equipped with hydraulic drive components from leading manufacturers, the machines are equipped with the latest powerful 110 kW engine, whose electronic engine management ensures stabl
  • Haulotte sees sales growth in 2012
    January 6, 2017
    French access and telehandler manufacturer Haulotte returned to profit in 2012 and, though the first quarter of 2013 is down year-on-year, CEO Alexandre Saubot remains confident about continued growth this year. “We achieved a decent performance in 2012 with almost 16% growth,” said Saubot. “2013 will remain a challenge for us, we will have to continue to work hard for sales growth.”
  • Haulotte sees sales growth in 2012
    April 18, 2013
    French access and telehandler manufacturer Haulotte returned to profit in 2012 and, though the first quarter of 2013 is down year-on-year, CEO Alexandre Saubot remains confident about continued growth this year. “We achieved a decent performance in 2012 with almost 16% growth,” said Saubot. “2013 will remain a challenge for us, we will have to continue to work hard for sales growth.”
  • Waitzinger concrete pumps shown in Liebherr colours for the first time
    January 6, 2017
    Bauma 2013 will see the former Waitzinger concrete pump range in Liebherr livery for the first time, following the purchase of the company in October 2012. Liebherr will show four pumps, including the compact 41 M5XXT and the high capacity THP 160H/36 R4XXH. This truck-mounted pump has a four-section 36m boom yet sits on the narrow XXH outrigger supports and is capable of handling up to 160m3/h of concrete delivery.