Surprising Q1 results for ACIMIT
First quarter orders of Italian textile machinery rose slightly compared with the last three months of 2011.
According to the Association of Italian Textile Machinery
Manufacturers (ACIMIT), the overall orders index shows an increase of 2% versus
the previous quarter with a value of 91.2 points.
In the Italian market, the index increased 34% compared with the last quarter
of 2011, while overseas orders fell 1%.
"The first quarter results surprised us", said Sandro Salmoiraghi, ACIMIT president. "The increase of orders in the Italian market for the second quarter in a row silenced the prophets of doom who too quickly predicted the free-fall of Italian textiles.
"There are still textile companies in Italy investing in new
machinery and new systems. This is a boost of confidence for the entire Italian
textile-clothing production chain."
Despite strong growth in the domestic market, exports remain the driver for the
sector.
Mr Salmoiraghi added: "At a time clearly positive for the Italian market, we must record the slowdown of demand from our main markets, especially China and India.
"We are paying for the global economic slowdown, which has also affected emerging countries and caused many companies who are our customers to stop their investment projects, hopefully only temporarily."
