Italian manufacturer body Unacea reveals machine exports

The Italian construction equipment manufacturer body 2539 Unacea has revealed comprehensive information on machine sales and exports. The data shows that construction machine sales in Italy grew 12% in the first nine months of 2014. However exports fell 7% and Unacea believes that the export performance of Italian manufacturers on the world market will have shrunk by the end of the year compared with the figures for 2013.

Over the first nine months of 2014, construction equipment sold in the Italian market stood at 4,479 units, an increase of 12% compared to the same period of 2013. Analysing the sales results, figures consists of 4,403 earthmoving machines (+11%) and 76 road machines (+17%). "Looking at the data of these first nine months – said Paolo Venturi, president of Unacea – we have to avoid too optimistic tones. It is true that from one side we have probably reached the lowest point of cycle in 2013, but we are still experiencing a loss of more than 80% compared with level of 2007. Moreover, the ratio between the results of the fourth and third quarter shows a growth of only 4%, with an evident decline relative to what we have seen at the beginning of the year.” Considering the continuous disasters related to the hydrogeological instability, Unacea calls for an urgent national plan of safety works and for the introduction of incentives in the public tenders for companies who use latest generation equipment (safer and
environmentally friendly) and technologies for the production of quality and durable concrete (as the mixer in batching plants).

In the first seven months of the year, according with the data of the Italian institute for statistics processed by Unacea, exports of Italian construction equipment reached €1,397 million, with a drop of 7% compared with the previous year. The most significant reduction has affected the drilling machines (-37%); a drop in the export of concrete equipment (-7%) and road machines (-5%). A small drop for earth moving machines (-1%) was recorded. There has been growth in the export of tower cranes (+10%) and crushing and screening equipment (+8%). Imports have grown 22%, reaching a value of more than €280 million. The trade balance is still positive of more than €1,113 million, even recording a decrease of 12% compared with the same period of last year.

According to David Phillips, director of 2444 Off-Highway Research, the world market for construction equipment was worth €74.3 billion in 2013, and will decrease slightly to €72.7 billion (-2%) at the end of 2014. But it should grow up again in 2015 to reach €76.6 billion. At present, the major market in the world is North America, with €20.5 billion in 2013, €22.9 billion at the end of the year (+12%) and €24.5 billion in 2015 (+7%). China, which was on the top for world sales in 2011, is still experiencing difficulties: in 2013 it has accounted for €17.4 billion and its performance should worst at the end of the year with €15 billion in purchases (-14%), overcoming the obstacles only in 2015 with €15.8 billion (+5%). The Indian market is stable with € 1.6 billion, waiting for the boost in confidence following the country’s election, will affect also the construction industry. In Japan, in 2013 machinery sold has reached €4.7 billion in 2013; it should decrease to €4 billion at the end of the year (-15%), remaining stable in 2015. Meanwhile, Europe accounted for sales of €9.5 billion in 2013, while 2014 it is going to end with a final balance of €10.3 billion (+8%) and 2015 with €11.1 billion (+8%).

During the recent 3399 Cece Congress, which has involved about 200 delegates among senior managers of European companies and national trade associations, discussions covered the new proposal for a revision of the emissions directive (97/68/EC). The Ttip agenda could also boost the harmonisation of technical and environmental legislation between 3287 EU and US. At present, according with Cece’s evaluation, a machine for the US market costs 17% more than the same machine for Europe. Market surveillance is still a critical point for the European industry. While the 70% of the entire investment in research and development is addressed to maintain compliance with the European directives on safety and environment, a Cece’s study shows that 1/3 of the companies suffers losses because customers prefer to buy non-compliant machines, illegally imported in the European market. In February 2013, after repeated claims, the 2465 European Commission had reached a proposal to improve the current legislation that has been submitted to the EU Council. But this last proposal has not so far progressed further.