Skip to main content

Italian machine sales solidifying

Sales of construction machines have been improving in Italy. Data from the Italian equipment manufacturing association, UNACEA, shows how the market picked up during the first six months of 2016. The report reveals how sales in the Italian market rose 22% compared to the same period of 2015. The UNACEA quarterly study shows that 4,723 construction machines were sold during the first six months of 2016, including 4,617 earthmoving machines and 106 road machines. Compared with the same period for 2015, this e
July 26, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Sales of construction machines have been improving in Italy. Data from the Italian equipment manufacturing association, 2539 UNACEA, shows how the market picked up during the first six months of 2016. The report reveals how sales in the Italian market rose 22% compared to the same period of 2015. The UNACEA quarterly study shows that 4,723 construction machines were sold during the first six months of 2016, including 4,617 earthmoving machines and 106 road machines. Compared with the same period for 2015, this equated to a gain in sales of earthmoving machines of 24% but a drop of 33% for road construction machinery.

“The positive trend of recovery in the Italian market has been consolidated - said Paolo Venturi, president of Unacea - which has started by now three years ago. However, in absolute value, it is a much more modest recovery. Effectively, comparing this result with the data of the Golden Year 2007, when in the first six months were sold more than 13,000 machines, the loss is more than 63%. Despite the recovery, the market is still lower than the pre-crisis level so prudence and measures of support are mandatory, also considering the deterioration of the international trade and of the growing global tensions.”

According to the Samoter Outlook report produced by Prometeia in collaboration with Unacea on the data of the Italian institute for Statistics, exports of construction equipment between January and March have only increased slightly (+1.2%), reaching just over €810 million. Exports of drilling equipment grew 50%, while exports of tower cranes grew 13%. But demand for other product lines fell, with a 21% drop for crushing and screening equipment, a 10% fall for road machinery, a drop of 8% for concrete equipment and 3% for earth-moving machines.

Imports grew by 13.8%, reaching a value of €210 million. Particularly positive were imports of road equipment which grew 46%, while sales of drilling machines increased 38%, concrete equipment climbed 37% and earth-moving machines rose by 18%. Imports of crushing and screening equipment stayed more or less stable by increasing by 1%, while imports of tower cranes dropped 38%. The trade balance records a surplus of €600 million, although this is 2% drop compared to 2015.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Global machine sales expected to rise
    September 13, 2017
    A report by Off-Highway Research suggests that worldwide construction machine sales could increase 16% this year. On a global basis, sales of construction machines are expected to exceed 810,000 units in 2017, with a value of more than US$80 billion. The report says that most major territories will see growth during 2017. However China’s resurgence will be crucial, as crawler excavator sales in the country have more than doubled in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period last year.
  • US machine manufacturers hit hard by global downturn in construction
    November 30, 2015
    The latest report from the US-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers, AEM, makes for sobering reading. For the first six months of 2015, US exports of construction equipment dropped by 17% compared with the same period in 2014. The US manufacturers have been hit doubly, first by a tough international market and secondly by the high value of the US Dollar.
  • VDMA says machine sales now exceed previous year
    September 1, 2017
    The market for earthmoving equipment is booming, according to a report by the German construction machine manufacturers association, the VDMA. In the first six months of this year, the turnover of construction equipment manufacturers was around 19% higher than the already high value of the previous year. In addition, there is an increase in orders of over 18%, as construction equipment is ordered all over the world.
  • Wacker Neuson sees business growth with strong results
    November 10, 2017
    The Wacker Neuson Group is reporting a strong third quarter performance for 2017. The company’s latest results reveal a marked increase in revenue and earnings and says it remains positive about the fourth quarter of 2017. Wacker Neuson says it expects its revenue and earnings forecast for the current fiscal year to come in at the higher end of previous forecasts. The Wacker Neuson Group reported revenue of € 378.7 million for the third quarter of 2017. This corresponds to an increase of 20% over the €315.