Machinery and equipment for wood and wood-based materials could not escape the dramatic crisis that has hit all industries, unfortunately. According to the quarterly survey by the Studies Office of Acimall – the Confindustria member association representing the 210 largest Italian manufacturers – the July-September 2009 period recorded a shrinkage of orders by 47.5 percent compared to the same period of 2008. Orders from abroad collapsed by 50.5 percent, while the domestic market suffered from a more limited shrinkage by 35 percent. The trend of orders, compared to the second quarter of 2009, showed a negative variation by 1.5 percent.
From the beginning of the year – according to the answers collected from the statistic sample – prices have remained stable, while ensured production, at the end of Q3 2009, was around 1.43 months.
According to the quality survey for the period under scrutiny, 62 percent of the interviewed companies are pessimistic, 38 percent expect substantial stability, while nobody predicts an improvement.
Employment is stationary according to 55 percent of the sample and decreasing for 45 percent. A similar situation for available stocks: stable according to 55 percent of the interviewees, decreasing for 42 percent and increasing for 3 percent.
The forecast survey is not encouraging and indicates that companies do not expect short-term recovery. Looking at international orders, only 7 percent of the sample sees an improvement from the current situation, versus 59 percent expecting stability and 34 percent fearing a further drop of orders (the balance is negative at -27). 45 percent of the sample predicted a further shrinkage of the Italian market, while 55 percent are confident that the situation will remain stable (negative balance -45).
