Italy’s machine tools, robots and automation systems sector is expected to end 2024 with a sharp decline in key economic indicators, although a slight recovery is expected in 2025, according to the industry’s national association UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE. It is expected that According to preliminary data from the UCIMU Research Department, production in 2024 decreased to 6.745 billion euros, a decrease of 11.4% compared to 2023.
This decline was mainly due to a decline in domestic deliveries, which plummeted by 33.5% to 2.255 billion euros, reflecting weaker investment by Italian users. Domestic consumption also reflected this trend, falling by 34.8% to 3,795 million euros. Imports also fell by 36.5%, reaching 1.54 billion euros.
Exports, on the other hand, increased by 6.3% to a record high of 4.49 billion euros. The main markets for Italian machine tools from January to August 2024 include the United States (€419 million, +17.8%), Germany (€243 million, +12.3%) and India (€132 million, +12.3%). EUR, +100%).
Looking ahead, production in 2025 is expected to increase slightly by 2.9% to 6.94 billion euros. Exports are expected to remain stable at 4.505 billion euros, while domestic deliveries are expected to increase by 8% to 2.435 billion euros due to a gradual recovery in domestic demand. Italian consumption is expected to increase by 7.2%, and imports will benefit from this recovery, increasing by 6.2% to 1.635 billion euros.
UCIMU President Riccardo Rosa highlighted the challenges in the domestic market, saying that delays in implementing government incentives under the Transition 5.0 initiative are a major obstacle. He emphasized the need for urgent policy adjustments to stimulate demand and support the modernization of the industry.
Rosa also called attention to broader pressures on European manufacturing, particularly the Green Deal’s transition to electric vehicles, which is leading to job losses and factory closures. He urged collective action by industry stakeholders to protect this sector, which forms the backbone of Italy’s economic system. Rosa reiterated the importance of introducing a new industrial policy that supports innovation and sustainability in Italian manufacturing beyond 2026 to ensure long-term growth.
