Italian machinery soars

The Italian construction equipment industry has seen first half growth of 25% over the first six months of 2017, according to Unacea (the association of Italian construction machinery manufacturers).

In the first six months of 2018, 6,389 construction machines were sold in the Italian market, of which sales of earthmoving equipment totalled 6,157, while 232 were road machines.

Unacea said that when looking at foreign trade between January and April 2018, Italian exports of construction equipment reached €973 million. This represented a rise of 14% on the previous year.

It said that according to the Samoter Outlook – produced by the Veronafiere trade show in conjunction with research firm Prometeia and Unacea – exports of all segments within the sector were growing.

Exports of earthmoving machines were said to have risen 19%, road equipment was up 18%, tower crane sales rose 15%, drilling equipment 11%, and concrete equipment increased by 7%.

Imports, which amounted to €300 million, grew by 22%, the Samoter Outlook reported. The trade balance surplus at €650 million was up 10%, it said.