The economic survey for the last three months of the year 2007 showed that Italian woodworking machines and tools orders grew by 2.4% compared to the same period in 2006. Another positive signal confirming the trend of the past two years, although a significant slowdown was recorded against the increases of previous quarters: orders from abroad (where 82% of Italian production is sold) grew by 1%, whereas the Italian market was much more “generous” (+7%).
In 2007, prices increased by 2.2%, whereas the months of ensured production, at the end of the year, were 3.5.
According to the quality survey, 63% of the interviewed companies - taken from a representative sample of the whole industry - indicated stationary production volumes in the last three months of 2007, whereas 37% said their business had expanded. Available stocks are stationary according to 67%, decreasing according to 15% and growing according to the remaining 18%. Employment is considered as stationary by 74% of the sample and increasing by 26%.
According to the forecast survey, 74% of interviewed companies said orders from abroad will remain at current levels, while 15% expect an increase and 11% a reduction (positive balance +4%). Domestic market will be stable according to 74% of the sample, expanding for 11% and shrinking for the remaining 15% of the sample (negative balance -4%).
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