Automatic machines: a good 2011 (indeed exceedingly good)

TRENDS AND PROSPECTS The turnover for 2011 of Italian packaging and wrapping machine manufacturers exceeds 4,300 million euros. Caution in the forecasts for 2012. The need to act as a network, to support business in the coming future.

The Italian packaging and wrapping machine manufacturers have filed away 2011 with excellent results: an increase of 14.4% compared to 2010, year in which turnover reached pre-crisis levels (3.759 billion euros), the turnover of the sector this year has reached 4,300 million euros, exceeding the record performance of 2008, when it reached a peak of 3,827 million euros.

Gaining 26.4% of the world market, compared to 25.7% held in 2010, the Italian industry confirms and extends its international leadership, second only to Germany (27.7%). The increase in Italian exports (+15.9%), in fact was higher than the world average, which stops at a +11.8%.
The slowdown in the closing months of 2011 and the lingering uncertainty on all world markets on the other hand suggests some caution in forecasts for the current year, though it is estimated that turnover levels achieved in 2011 will be maintained.
 
Association in the field. These, summing things up, are the results that emerged from the data collected by the Ucima Research Department during the meeting of June 15th, when the National Association of Italian packaging and wrapping machine manufacturers held its assembly at Villa Marchetta (Modena). Giuseppe Lesce - who, reconfirmed as President of the Association for the years 2012-1016, will count on the presence of Maurizio Marchesini and Riccardo Cavanna as newly elected vice-presidents - has renewed his commitment to support the need for a network of enterprises in order face the challenges posed by global competition with evermore appropriate tools.

On this count, we reiterate the proposal of the conference “Finance and credit in times of crisis”, that Ucima organized for its associates alongside the closed assembly: during the encounter considerations and testimonies by experts and public and private operators were aired regarding financial instruments (credit access, investment funds...) available to Italian companies, with a view to business development.
From the association’s perspective, the Ucima leadership also declares itself highly satisfied with the integration and pooling of services with Acimac that took place in 2011: the synergies with the Italian Machinery and Equipment for Ceramics Manufacturers’ Association, expressed at their best, are enabling the optimisation and empowering of the services to associates. The effectiveness of the undertakings is borne witness to by the number of companies that joined over the last few months.
As stated by Ucima Director Paolo Gambuli «it is a very important response for an association that just one year back decided to undertake a process of operational integration with another concern in the Italian confindustrial system: the high quality of services offered and support provided to companies is in fact encouraging new membership».

Of the 60 companies that have joined Ucima via the "Open Doors” initiative (launched in September 2011 allowing companies free admission for a limited period), twenty concerns, mostly SMEs, have joined Ucima over the last six months, bringing the total number of associates to over a hundred (101).
These are the names of new Ucima associates: Abrigo Spa, Bonfiglioli Italia Spa, Cmz Sistemi Elettronici Srl, Comek Srl, Eaton Electric Srl, Elesa Spa, Martini Srl, Mek System Srl, Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V., Murrelektronik Srl, P.R. Nastri Trasportatori Snc, Phoenix Contact Spa, Pilz Italia Srl, Rav Sistemi Srl, Schmersal Italia Srl, Sensormatic Srl, Tecno Pack Spa, Toscana Automazioni Industriali Srl, Vision Tech Srl, Zanasi Srl.
Due to the high satisfaction expressed with the services offered, Gambuli looks forward to a further increase in associated companies: The goal of the leadership and of President Lesce is in fact to make Ucima the focal point of synthesis and encounter for the companies of the sector and their issues.                                                

The window on the market
Textbook exports. In 2011 the Italian packaging and wrapping industry further strengthened its share of exports over total turnover, going from 88.4% in 2010 to 89.5%.
In absolute terms, with an increase of 15.9% on 2010, the turnover generated abroad amounted to 3,850 million euros.
The largest share, nearly 65% has crossed the borders to other EU members, which, with 34.1% of the total, makes the EU the main destination for Italian machinery.

Asia also confirmed itself in 2011 as the biggest export market for Italian manufacturers outside Europe with 26.4% of total exports, while the other areas stood at rates of between 8% and 11%.
Heading the countries of destination for Italian exports we find China, with a total of 385.3 million euros, with a slight drop (- 2.3%) on 2010, year in which exports to the Asian giant almost doubled.
The US consolidates its position of second placed (+32.6% for a total of 360.3 million) and France confirms its position in third place with 332.5 million (+28.0%).
Among emerging markets, Russia confirms its positive showing (+14.2%) with a total of 162.4 million, and Brazil (+5.6%), with 131.1 million, while Turkey stands out with its growth of 33.8% for a total of 128.6 million euro.

Among the established markets we report the good performance of Germany (+5.4%, standing at 198.2 million), Spain (+6.7% standing at 153.6 million) and Sweden (+16.1% standing at 111.7 million). Figures for the UK are down (-2.7%, standing at 135 million).
The most sold abroad. Packaging and wrapping machines account for the largest share of exports. They constitute 45.1% of sales abroad, an increase of 22.3% compared to 2010, amounting in absolute terms to 1,909 million euros. These are followed by filling, closing, capsuling and labeling machines, which amount to 27.5%, up 6.2%, with a turnover of 1.164 billion euros. Sales of parts pieces separate from machines have increased by 13.3%, (25.6% of exports with 1,081 million euros in turnover).

These are followed by container cleaning and drying machines (9.5%, at 53.8 million euros); metering, bagging and other constant checkweigh machines (+71.9% standing at 20.1 million euros); checkweigh control tools (-23.7%, standing at 3.7 million euros) and tools for weighing and labeling prepacked products (-36.0%, standing at 0.5 million euros).
Domestic market, imports falling. With 450 million euros (+2.9% on 2010), the turnover generated by the Italian domestic market remains at pre-crisis levels and continues to absorb approximately 60% of Italian sector output, totalling 792 million euros (+0.5%). Imports, however, amounted to 342 million, a decrease of 2.6% compared to 2010.

UCIMA is the of Confindustria Professional Association which represents the Italian packaging and wrapping machine manufacturers in Italy and abroad grouping together 100 companies, accounting for 65% of total sector turnover and over 70% of Italian exports in the sector.