Strong equipment exports are aiding Italian construction equipment manufacturers

Details from the Italian construction equipment manufacturing asscoaition, UNACEA, show that domestic machine sales are still falling, while exports keep on growing.

However exports are growing at a slower rate than in 2011. Over the first quarter of 2012, 1,820 construction machines were sold on the Italian market, a drop of 22.4% from the same period in 2011.

These included 1,734 earthmoving machines, a fall of 22.4% compared to the first quarter of 2011, while there were 40 road machines  sold, a drop of 11.1%. In addition 46 concrete machines were sold in Italy in the first quarter of 2012, a drop of 31.3% over the same period in 2011. According to the data of the Italian Institut for Statistics (4168 Istat) revised by Unacea, in January 2012 construction equipment exports reached €121 million euros, just 2% more than for January 2011. By comparison the sales for January 2011 were 23% higher than in January 2010, although this reveals the low base in 2010. In particular, there has been an increase in export sales of crushing and screening machinery as these have climbed 75%, a 15% increase in road machinery sales and an 11% gain in earthmoving machinery sales. But there has been a decrease in the exports of tower cranes as these are down 32%, a 21% drop in sales of concrete machinery  and a 15% fall in exports of drilling machinery. However, imports have decreased by 22% due to the weak internal market, so the trade surplus amounts to €91 million.

“Italian construction equipment sector – says Enrico Prandini (2300 Komatsu Utility Europe), Unacea vicepresident – does not ask for help for non-competitive manufacturers. The quality of our products is well known on world markets. In the present situation of crisis, we ask that the companies, which have to invest an enormous amount of money to comply with the European legislation, could benefit at least from a stable system of incentives to innovation in the building site which should reward, giving them extra points in tenders, the building firms which invest in new equipment, that is safer and more respectful of the environment. Moreover, we ask to put a stop to the selling of non-compliant machines and introduce adequate market surveillance systems.”

“Today, the Italian earthmoving machinery market – adds Giampiero Biglia (Cnh Ce – Fiat Industrial), Unacea vicepresident – is different from 2007 pre-crisis situation, for the sales have reduced by two thirds. However, it is worth noting that its morphology keeps unaltered: in fact, miniexcavators and skid steer loaders (tracked and wheeled) still represent 63% of sales. This is due to a strong Italian anthropization and urbanization, and to the consequent need for maintenance instead of new constructions, as well as to the traditional lack of great infrastructural projects, which would be much needed to push forward the competitiveness of our country.”