The orders index for Italian textile machinery dropped during the second quarter of 2016 due to negative export figures. According to ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli, the drop in machinery exports is due to the “underlying political uncertainty”.

Based on industry survey conducted by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, during the period from April to June 2016, overall orders decreased by 7% compared to the same period last year. The index rating for the second quarter of 2016 came in at 93 points (basis: 2010=100).

Growth was recorded in Italy alone, where the index amounted to an absolute value of 55.6 points, which is a 3% increase compared to April-June 2015. Abroad, the absolute value of the index amounted to 101 points, an 8% drop over the same quarter for 2015.

Situation of uncertainty

ACIMIT President Raffaella Carabelli explained that the situation of uncertainty currently characterises foreign markets.

“We’re experiencing a period of profound instability, especially in geopolitical terms, resulting in stagnating investments in many of our benchmark markets. Recent events in Turkey and Bangladesh have confirmed a precarious situation, which is sure to have repercussions on an economic level,” commented ACIMIT’s president.

Italian textile machinery industry

ACIMIT represents an industrial sector comprising around 300 manufacturers, employing close to 12,000 people, and producing machinery for an overall value of about EUR 2.6 billion, with exports amounting to 86% of total sales.

www.acimit.it