Italian woodworking technologies: the third quarter 2008 shows a negative situation

The negative period that has been characterizing the industry since the beginning of the year − after three years of constant growth − has accelerated during the third quarter due to the global financial and economic crisis, the actual relevance of which has been perceived since September.
According to the figures of the survey carried out by Acimall − based on a statistic sample that represents the entire industry in terms of company size and product categories − there isn’t any doubt: the Italian woodworking machinery and tools industry recorded a reduction by 18.1 percent as compared to the period July-September 2007. This figure is the result of reduced business on foreign markets (-13.2 percent) – which have always been very interested in “made in Italy” products – added to the significant slowdown of the Italian market (-32.6 percent as compared to the same period of 2007).
According to the survey by Acimall, prices have increased by 2.6 percent on average and the months of ensured production, at the end of the third quarter, were 2.4.
The quality survey reveals the general attitude of interviewed entrepreneurs: 49 percent of the sample indicates stationary production volumes, 48 decreasing and only three growing. Available stocks are stationary according to 52 percent, decreasing according to 23 percent and growing according to the remaining 24 percent. Employment is considered as stationary by 79 percent of the sample and falling by 21 percent. No growth signals have been recorded.
Forecasts for the next period are obviously influenced by the general industry situation and by the economic scenario, so they are not oriented towards optimistic visions. Foreign orders are expected to remain stationary according to 18 percent of the interviewees, to shrink for 70 percent and to increase for 12 percent (negative balance -58).
As for the Italian domestic market, expectations for the upcoming quarter see no variation for 36 percent and a further worsening for the remaining 64 percent (negative balance –64). No one expects expansion.