Page 55 - AMEFT Journal 2021-2

Based on the sample of companies monitored by the MECS-UCIMA research department, the orders re- ceived by Italian packaging machinery manufacturers showed an upswing at the end of 2020, both in Italy and in- ternationally, with an overall increase of 7.4% compared to the same period the previous year. International de- mand grew by 8.1% and domestic de- mand by 3.4%. However, the overall cumulative orders fell by 1.7% in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
The sector also saw an improvement in sales turnover in the last quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, allowing turnover to remain in positive territory (+1.8%) following the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This was a combined result of 4% growth in the export market and an 8.2% contraction in domestic Italian sales.
As for the export market, 17.6% of companies are expecting an impro-
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vement in results in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the previous quarter, 64.7% are anticipating stable results, and 17.6% expect to see a fall in orders.
The 4% growth in packaging machinery exports is pushing sales revenues into positive territory as the outlook remains stable for 2021. Causes of concern include rising prices of raw materials and components and maritime freight rates.
The sector therefore remains es- sentially healthy with companies’ expectations stable for the coming months in both the domestic and export markets.
“This early part of the year has gi- ven us confidence and confirms that our sector remains robust,” com- mented UCIMA’s Chairman Matteo Gentili. “The Covid-19 emergency has not caught us unprepared and we are now reaping the benefits of the enormous research and deve- lopment efforts that our companies have made over the years. This year we are already seeing signs of reco- very, but we need to be cautious. We are aware of our competitors’ strengths and of the uncertainty that the pandemic is continuing to cause in many markets. We are also seeing consequences in terms of higher raw material and sea freight costs, and this of course affects pro- duction and supply costs.”
PROCESSING & PACKAGING (Source: Pixabay)
UCIMA: Orders for Italian machineries shows an upswing
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