Skip to main content

Sales gain for Italian manufacturers

An upswing is being seen in construction machine sales in Italy, according to the latest official figures. The data from the Samoter-Prometeia Observatory reveal increases in key markets. Gains have been seen in Europe (+7.7%), Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey (+3.7%), North America (+23.1%), Central and South America (+6.3%), Middle East (+26.3%), Asia (+28.7%), Australia (+23.5%) and Africa (+2.5%). However the figures also show another sharp fall in Russia (-62.8%).
February 22, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
An upswing is being seen in construction machine sales in Italy, according to the latest official figures. The data from the Samoter-Prometeia Observatory reveal increases in key markets. Gains have been seen in Europe (+7.7%), Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey (+3.7%), North America (+23.1%), Central and South America (+6.3%), Middle East (+26.3%), Asia (+28.7%), Australia (+23.5%) and Africa (+2.5%). However the figures also show another sharp fall in Russia (-62.8%).

Italian exports for the construction machinery sector between January and November 2015 totalled €2.275 billion in turnover, an increase of 7.6% over the same period in 2014. Imports also increased, growing 16.7% to €587.9 million. The balance of trade meanwhile was in the black by €1.687 billion, a gain of 4.7%.

Consolidation of the recovery seems to be confirmed by figures published by the SaMoTer Observatory for the construction equipment market, developed in collaboration with Prometeia and information from Unacea, the National Union of Construction Equipment & Attachments Companies.

The 30th edition of SaMoTer, the Italian exhibition for construction machines is scheduled at Veronafiere 22nd-25th February 2017. This will be run alongside Asphaltica, the road paving and infrastructure show, and Transpotec, the road transport and logistics event.

In more detail, the earthmoving machinery sector saw exports of €905 million (+6.8%). Exports of crawler bulldozers were down from €29.7 million to €8 million, offset by an increase wheeled bulldozers, up from €4.9 million to €17.8 million. Sales of buckets, shovels and grippers climbed from €80.4 to €90.8 million. Sales of public works machinery grew also from €141 million to €158.9 million. There was also an improvement for road building machinery, with orders worth €102 million, a growth of 29.1%. Foreign sales dropped slightly (-0.7%) for concrete machinery to €295.2 million. Tower crane sales improved from €170.1 to €202.3 million, a gain of 18.9% for the period. There was a slight drop of 2.6% for sales aggregates machinery, which over the 11 months totalled €407.9 million. There was a positive result, finally, for drilling equipment with exports coming to €362.8 million, a gain of 19.9%.

Looking at markets, the main outlet for Italian construction machinery is once again Western Europe with €825 million (+7.7%). There was also strong growth in North America (+23.1%), the Middle East (+26.3%), Asia (+28.7%) and Australia (+23.5%). More modest increases were seen in Central-Eastern Europe and Turkey (+3.7%), Central and South America (+6.3%) and Africa (+2.5%). Russia, in the wake of sanctions related to the Ukraine crisis, saw exports continue to collapse, down by 62.8%.

As regards imports, there were increases in segments such as earth moving machinery (+27.5%), road building machinery (+15.5%), tower cranes (+150.8%) and aggregates preparation machinery (+21.6%). Figures were significantly down, on the other hand, for drilling machines (-42.9%) and concrete equipment (-39.3%).

Related Content

  • U.S made construction equipment exports rose 13% in 2012, AEM says
    February 27, 2013
    Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment were up 13% to US$26.7 billion in 2012 compared to 2011, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) citing of U.S. Commerce Dept. data in global market reports for members. AEM noted that the 13% 2012 gain follows a 43% year-on-year growth in 2011, and 28% growth in 2010, after a deep recession decline of 38% in 2009. "Exports have been called a bright spot for the U.S. economy, and this has been especially true for construction equipment manufa
  • European construction machine exports down 15.8% Jan 1-May 31 2013
    August 28, 2013
    European construction machine exports fell 15.8% between January 1 and May 31 2013 to €11.049 billion from €13.096 billion over the same period of 2012, according to new CECE (Committee for European Construction Equipment) figures supplied to World Highways. Germany was the biggest Europe-based export market for European construction machines importing €1.107 billion worth of machinery – down 14.1% on €1.288 billion over the same period the previous year. France was the second biggest Europe export market i
  • Organisers of Italy’s conjoined Samoter-Asphaltica show are bullish for success
    January 16, 2014
    The organisers of the Samoter construction equipment show being held in the historic Italian city of Verona are bullish for the success of the event. This will be the 29th edition of Samoter, an international triennial exhibition focussing on earthmoving and site machinery. It will also be the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the event, which will also co-host the Asphaltica exhibition for road paving, safety and infrastructures for the first time. Asphaltica is organised in cooperation with Siteb, the
  • XCMG is further developing its overseas activities
    July 29, 2015
    XCMG is developing its overseas activities with a programme called 'One Belt, One Road'. Representatives from 18 countries recently travelled to XCMG’s headquarters in China to launch the firm’s new Overseas Service Activity. This is focusing particularly on service support for customers involved in the New Silk Road project. The launch event was followed by a seminar at XCMG, with officials discussing business opportunities deriving from the 'One Belt, One Road' strategy. This forms part of a drive by t