NEWS

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT IN ITALY
Sales still falling, while exports keep on growing, however slower than 2011

Over the first quarter of 2012, 1,820 construction machines were sold on the Italian market, a drop of 22.4% from the same period in 2011. If we look at sales in detail, 1,734 earthmoving machines (-22.4% compared to the first quarter of 2011), 40 road machines (-11.1%) and 46 concrete machines (-31.3%) were sold.

Moreover, according to the data of the Italian Institut for Statistics (Istat) revised by Unacea, in January 2012 construction equipment exports amounted to 121 million euros, 2% more than January 2011. This indicates a halt in last year's trend, which registered an increase by 23%. In particular, there has been an increase in the foreign sales of crushing and screening machinery (+75%), road machinery (+15%) and earthmoving machinery (+11%), whereas there has been a decrease in the exports of tower cranes (-32%), concrete machinery (-21%) and drilling machinery (-15%). Finally, imports have decreased by 22% due to the weak internal market. The trade surplus amounts to 91 million euros.

"Italian construction equipment sector – says Enrico Prandini (Komatsu Utility Europe), Unacea vicepresident – does not ask for help for non-competitive manufacturers. The quality of our products is well known on world markets. In the present situation of crisis, we ask that the companies, which have to invest an enormous amount of money to comply with the European legislation, could benefit at least from a stable system of incentives to innovation in the building site which should reward, giving them extra points in tenders, the building firms which invest in new equipment, that is safer and more respectful of the environment. Moreover, we ask to put a stop to the selling of non-compliant machines and introduce adequate market surveillance systems."

"Today, the Italian earthmoving machinery market – adds Giampiero Biglia (Cnh Ce – Fiat Industrial), Unacea vicepresident – is different from 2007 pre-crisis situation, for the sales have reduced by two thirds. However, it is worth noting that its morphology keeps unaltered: in fact, miniexcavators and skid steer loaders (tracked and wheeled) still represent 63% of sales. This is due to a strong Italian anthropization and urbanization, and to the consequent need for maintenance instead of new constructions, as well as to the traditional lack of great infrastructural projects, which would be much needed to push forward the competitiveness of our country."

* truck mixers, truck mixer-pumps, plants, shotcrete machinery, truck mounted pumps and concrete pumps.

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