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[June 2007]
Italian 2006 Ceramic Machinery Sales: No Serious Worries, Says Acimac
Acimac's 15th Annual Statistical Review showed that the overall sector turnover of Italian made machinery for the ceramic industry in 2006 amounted to €1.7021 billion, a reduction of 4.2% (or €75 million) compared to the previous year, but an increase of 6.8% on the 2004 result.
This, said Acimac, indicated the short-term nature of the drop, caused by a "pause for reflection" affecting investments in new technologies in various important ceramic manufacturing countries. The Middle East, for example, after its flourishing turnover in 2005, fell by 24.4%, and Asia (excluding
China) by 21.1%. Positive performances, on the other hand, were registered in the EU, Africa and China.The Italian domestic market remained basically stable (up a marginal 0.3%) at €458.3 million and this in a year without any dramatic major investment in new manufacturing plants on the part of Italian manufacturers, who were mostly committed to internationalising parts of their production or seeking qualitative improvements in their output. Acimac said that exports totalled €1.2438 billion (down 5.8%), accounting for 73.1% of sector turnover, confirming once again the global dimension of Italian production of machinery for the ceramic industry.
Companies and Employees
In 2006, 166 companies were active in Italy, an increase of 10 in comparison to the 156 of 2005. This statistic might seem to be contradicted by the announcements of mergers and takeovers within the sector during the year, which will very likely be part of a continuing trend. The explanation lies in the fact that many companies (mostly of limited size) that were previously excluded from the survey have now been included. In terms of employment, 2006 saw a total of 6,939 employees working in the sector (up 6.8% compared to the 6,495 in 2005).
Markets
The European Union, last year pushed into second place by the Middle East, increased its orders for the third year in a row (up 11.2%) and returned to being the principal market for Italy's ceramic machinery manufacturers with a total of €313.6 million, a share of 25.2%. Despite a contraction of 24.4%, the Middle East took second position (€218.7 million, 17.6% of the total). After its boom in 2004 and 2005, therefore, the area confirmed itself as a promising market: over the last three years it has shown 20.4% growth.
Sales in Eastern Europe reached €179.9 million, down by 9.2%, accounting for 14.5% of the sector total: this is the second best result in the last 10 years in the eastern European market. Africa marked up a notable rise (up
36.2%) with an unprecedented €138.3 million in purchases, while Asia – excluding China – shrank to €119.2 million (down 21.1% on 2005, almost a record-making year, but up by 22.5% compared to the €97.6 million of 2004). Central and South America, following two years of intense development, contributed with purchases of €115.6 million, a reduction of 4.6%.Positive news from the China–Hong Kong–Taiwan area, up to €78.8 million, an increase of 21.3%. This is a revival that justifies optimism, said Acimac, even though far below the peak results reached a decade ago. North America – including Mexico – slowed down to €72.4 million (down 30.1%) following the conclusion of various important supplies for new plants. The list is concluded by Oceania with €7.3 million, down by 11.5%.
Client sectors
The figures for 2006 confirm, with no dramatic differences, the well established proportions of Italian machinery sales as spread between the six
different kinds of ceramic industry clients. 80% of the sector's overall turnover was constituted by machinery for tile manufacture, a client area that, despite a contraction of 3%, remains by far and away the most important for Italian suppliers, accounting for €1.3612 billion (72.6% of which for export). Far back in second position comes heavy clay machinery, despite a rise of 8.3% to €179.1 million (10.5% of total sector turnover, with 65.7% destined for export). Still further behind, and falling by 5.3% after the robust growth of 2004 and the levelling out of 2005, comes sanitaryware machinery, accounting for €87.3 million (5.1% of the total, with 83.5% destined for export).
Contraction could also be seen in the tableware manufacture client sector (down 21.2%), stalled at €45.7 million, just 2.7% of total turnover. The smallest sectors were those of machinery for refractory materials, with sales of €27.5 million (1.6% of the total) and miscellaneous ceramics at €1.2 million (0.1%).
Forecasts for 2007
Looking to the future, Acimac said: “According to the most reliable analysts, global manufacture and demand for ceramic products is set to grow still further and this forecast is undoubtedly the principal justification for continuing optimism on behalf of Italian manufacturers of machinery for this sector. In particular, beyond the purely quantitative aspect, the sector is benefiting from the continuously growing need (especially of tile manufacturers, both in Italy and abroad) to improve product quality levels. Another major factor is the aesthetic dimension, where Italian technology is capable of offering an outstanding range of possibilities, effects and designs, thus strongly influencing prevailing tendencies.
“In terms of the different global markets, consistent technological investments are expected in Italy and in the rest of Europe in general. A revival of demand from the Middle East appears likely, while South America and Africa have the potential for strong growth. In any case, 2007 should see a substantial consolidation of trade volume of Italian machinery for the ceramics industry, in a market characterised by overall stability.”
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ENDS