Ceramic Plant and Machinery Industry: Sharp Fall of Turnover - Annual National Statistical Survey clearly shows that negative trend is continuing

摘要

The Association of Italian Ceramic Plant and Machinery Manufacturers ACIMAC has presented the figures for the Italian ceramic machinery industry's performance in 2003 that emerged from the 12th Annual National Statistical Survey. After closures, setting up of new companies, mergers and takeovers, the number of Italian ceramic machinery manufacturers operating in the year 2003 totalled 173 like in the year 2002. The survey confirmed the negative forecasts made in December 2003. The sector closed 2003 with a total turnover of EUR 1 402,4 million, EUR 50 million less than in 2002 (-3.4%). The reason of the sector's fresh downturn was the sharp fall in sales of ceramics machinery in the Italian market, down from EUR 484 million to EUR 428.5 million (-11.5%, equalling EUR 55.5 million). On the other hand, exports remained substantially stable at 2002 levels, rising from EUR 968.5 million to EUR 974 million (+0,6%). The percentage of total turnover held by exports went up from 66.7% to 69.4%.