Construction machines, January-November 2015: Italian exports up (+7.6%) to more than 2.2 billion Euros

Figures published by the Samoter-Prometeia Observatory certify increases in key markets: 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%). Another sharp fall in Russia (-62.8%).

Verona, 18 February 2016 – Italian exports in the construction machinery sector between January and November 2015 totalled 2 billion 275 million euros in turnover, an increase of 7.6% over the same period in 2014. Imports also increased, amounting to 587.9 million euros (+16.7%), as well as the balance of trade - in the black by 1 billion and 687 million euros (+4.7%).

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

The 30th edition of SaMoTer, the landmark triennial exhibition in Italy for earth moving, sites and construction, is scheduled at Veronafiere 22-25 February 2017, alongside Asphaltica, the road paving and infrastructure show, and Transpotec, the road transport and logistics event.

In more detail, the earth moving machinery sector contributes to the share of total exports to the tune of 905 million euros (+6.8%): exports of track-laying bulldozers were down (from 29.7 to 8 million euros), offset by an increase wheel-mounted bulldozers (up from 4.9 to 17.8 million euros); buckets, shovels and mechanical grippers were up by 10.4 million euros (from 80.4 to 90.8 million euros); even public works machinery improved (from 141 to 158.9 million euros).

There was also a leap forwards for road building machinery, with orders worth 102 million euros (+29.1%): the list is topped by bitumen mixing machines (from 66.2 to 81.6 million euros) and roller compressors (from 2.4 to 10.8 million euros).

Foreign sales were essentially stable (-0.7%) for concrete machinery with 295.2 million euros, while tower cranes improved from 170.1 to 202.3 million euros (+18.9%). There was a slight decline (-2.6%) for aggregate preparation machinery, which over the eleven months in consideration totalled 407.9 million euros. There was a positive result, finally, for drilling machineswith exports coming to 362.8 million euros (+19.9%). 

Looking at markets, the main outlet for Italian construction machinery is once again Western Europe with 825 million euros (+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%).