20 September 2008, Milan – For the 2008 edition of Simatex,
which will take place next November in Buenos Aires, ACIMIT (Association of
Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers) and ICE (Italian Institute for Foreign
Trade) have organized a Meeting Point, which will host more than 10 Italian
textile machinery manufacturers. Visitors to the show will find the most
up-to-date Italian technologies in the spinning, weaving, knitting and
finishing sectors.
Argentina’s textiles industry has gone through different
economic periods but an important recovery is now underway. Growth in installed
capacity and strong investment to improve the technological level of the local
textile industry testify to this positive situation.
A strong effort in updating equipment and machinery has had
a positive influence also on imports of textile machines. In the 2003-2007 period,
Italian exports to Argentina increased at a rate of 17% per annum. In 2007
Italian sales in the Argentinian market reached a value of Euro 23 million,
with an increase of 15% on the previous year. In the first four months of 2008,
Italian exports increased at a rate of 14%. Italian machinery most in demand
includes finishing machinery (34% of Italian total export), accessories (19%)
and spinning machinery (16%).
The textile machinery industry requires huge investment in
research, know-how and long experience. Italy is the second largest producer of
textile machinery in the world and its technological level is recognised by its
competitors. In 2007, the production of Italian textile machinery amounted to
2.8 billion Euros, 77% of which (worth 2.1 billion Euro) was exported to 130
countries. Asia, with 43% is the major destination of Italian exports for the sector,
followed by Europe (38%), Latin America (9%), Africa (5%) and North America
(5%).
The Italian exhibitors at Simatex 2008 are only part of the
Italian supply of textile technology. There are about 300 Italian manufacturers
of textile machinery employing 20,000 workers. The participation of Italian
textile machinery manufacturers at Simatex 2008 has been coordinated by ACIMIT
and ICE, through its office in Buenos Aires and its head office in Rome.