Robot: corsa degli ordini all’estero, male l’Italia

Foreign markets continue to outperform Italy, with the country lagging once again. Data from Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre on third quarter orders for machine tool manufacturers highlights a significant gap between domestic performance and international sales. While the overall index shows a double-digit growth of 10.5%, this is driven by a 24.7% surge in orders received abroad, compared to a 7.1% decline in domestic orders compared to the same period last year.

Notably, the third quarter typically presents the most constrained values (index at 59, with 2021 as the 100-base), amplifying even small percentage fluctuations.

The introduction of new incentives in June initially generated enthusiasm but has since seen a slowdown. The government's promised investment of ten billion euros over three years aims to provide businesses with a clear investment horizon, despite some uncertainty. Italian companies are still cautious due to the country's "hypermortgage," which is systematically considered by investors.

Even with numerous ongoing negotiations, internal demand remains weak, as international energy cost pressures and uncertainty deter investment. Companies are postponing investments pending greater clarity, with the hypermortgage expected to aid planning for investments extending until September 2028.

While Italy's performance remains less than stellar, it is a marked improvement from past years, with both first and second quarter orders down by 29% and 39%, respectively. Abroad, sales are soaring, particularly in the United States, driven by defense and energy sectors, as well as data center component demand. Germany is also showing signs of recovery, providing a positive outlook for the Italian manufacturing industry.

The primary markets for Italy's industrial exports are currently the United States (+12.6%), Germany (+7.6%), France, Poland, and Spain. In terms of sectors, the defense and aerospace industries are experiencing increased demand, regardless of geographic location. The automotive sector, the main export market for the industry, continues to struggle.

Experts suggest that Europe must innovate and invest to regain its global leadership, with Italy possessing 1,600 billion euros in private savings that could provide a significant boost.