Skip to main content

Samoter aims to galvanise Italian construction machine sales

The forthcoming 29th edition of Samoter, the Italy-based International Triennial earthmoving and building machinery exhibition, represents the perfect opportunity for Italian construction machine manufacturers to showcase their expertise to leading national and international industry figures. The keenly awaited show taking place alongside Alsphaltica in Verona from 8-11 May 2014 could provide a huge boost to the tough domestic Italian construction machine sales market while, also, boosting vital export l
September 20, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
The forthcoming 29th edition of 323 Samoter, the Italy-based International Triennial earthmoving and building machinery exhibition, represents the perfect opportunity for Italian construction machine manufacturers to showcase their expertise to leading national and international industry figures.

The keenly awaited show taking place alongside Alsphaltica in Verona from 8-11 May 2014 could provide a huge boost to the tough domestic Italian construction machine sales market while, also, boosting vital export levels.

Data collected by CECE (the 2440 Committee for European Construction Equipment) indicate that construction machine sales in Europe in the first four months of 2013 included a significant drop in all Mediterranean countries, including Italy which saw an 8% sales fall worth €744 million, while the situation was slightly better in the rest of the continent.

Such figures, and predictions for continued sales difficulties for Mediterranean-based machine manufacturers during the rest of 2013, make exhibitions such as Samoter so crucial.

Luciano Rizzi, area manager of AgriExpo & Technology Area at Veronafiere, said the global reach of Samoter, which at the 2011 event attracted 900 exhibitors (29% from 37 foreign countries), was a vital ingredient of its continued success.

“Despite the difficulties with approaching new markets, exports remain the only way of salvation for Italian companies in the sector,” said Rizzi. “Obviously, on emerging markets, competition has to be met from increasingly aggressive foreign companies capable year after year of offering more competitive products not only in terms of price but also as regards quality. Yet if we take a closer look at the opportunities on some of these markets, it is clear that today's market lies there.”

Rizzi said Brazil and other parts of South America, India, the Gulf countries, and Africa are vital geographical areas for Italian exports, with Veronafiere launching important initiatives in these countries - starting with the MS Africa & Middle East event scheduled for December 2014.

Despite a significant decline, Rizzi stressed that Western Europe is still the first market for Italian exports. It is followed by Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa and Oceania.

Of the domestic outlook for Italian construction machine sales, Rizzi said, “The country’s building recession is still to bottom out and it is only towards the middle of next year that a modest turnaround is expected. There is considerable expectation to see what the ‘Del Fare’ decree recently launched by the Government will actually achieve, and companies - at least those in the residential construction field - are hoping that confirmation of tax incentives for renovation will ensure breathing space for the market.”

Rizzi added that, at least in the short term, the go-ahead for Italian public works is unlikely. However, less stringent budgetary constraints at EU level are encouraging certain signs of hope across the peninsula.

According to a study conducted by 2539 Unacea and Prometeia based on Istat data as of 31 May 2013, this year will see an Italian manufactured construction machine sales dip of 4.1% compared to 2012. The same study forecasts a further 1.8% sales fall in 2014. Sales are expected to show some growth in 2015.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Shantui broadening operations
    November 26, 2012
    Chinese firm Shantui is best known for its well-proven bulldozer range, which it started manufacturing 30 years ago, although the company has since diversified its product line.The company is China’s leading producer of bulldozers and claims around 70% of the home market for these machines although it also exports a significant percentage of its production run. Shantui’s senior consultant for Global Marcoms, David Lightle said, “We’ve been exporting for 25 years.” Exports form an important part of the compa
  • India’s Excon event proves popular
    March 21, 2016
    Road construction equipment manufacturers show bullish business sentiment at 2015 Excon - Partha Pratim Basistha writes. The eighth edition of Excon, South Asia’s largest construction equipment and technology fair, took place at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre from 25-29th November 2015 at Karnataka in South India. The event featured over 850 exhibitors, including 275 from overseas. Buoyed by the Indian government’s ambitious plan to develop a 50,000km road network during next five years, road con
  • European outlook for construction machine sector
    February 9, 2017
    Industry confidence – at least for the near future - is supported by performance of the European market, according to the latest CECE Barometer. Stable development at high levels in northern and western Europe underpins a continuing yet slowing recovery in southern Europe and fairly weak growth in Central and Eastern Europe. There are around 350 global OEMs operating in Europe and more than 85% of their worldwide production is done in this region. Half of these 350 OEMs have all their production in Europe.
  • Volvo lines up its SDLG brand for greater global export sales
    January 6, 2017
    Volvo’s Chinese manufacturing subsidiary SDLG is making inroads into the export market and could be destined to play a much more important role in the Swedish group’s global strategy. “As we grow our export strategy there is an opportunity for SDLG to become an increasingly larger piece of our total revenue,” said Martin Weissburg, president of Volvo Construction Equipment.