Acimall says 2022 ended with another positive result for the world of machinery, equipment and tools for the woodworking and furniture industry.
Based on the data collected by the Studies Office of Acimall, the Italian association representing industry companies, total production reached a value of 2.646 billion euro, up by 4.6 percent compared to the previous record in 2021.
The export trend was substantially stable, amounting to 1.757 billion euro (an increase of one per cent over 2021), with domestic market sales at 889 million euro, as much as 12.1 per cent above the excellent result of last year, marking a new record also for these categories.
Imports increased as well (257 million euro, plus 5.3 per cent over 2021), driving the trade balance to a positive result by 1.5 billion euro, more or less the same value as in 2021, with a 0.2 per cent increase.
Apparent consumption in Italy amounted to 1.146 billion euro, up by 10.8 per cent compared to last year.
The figures are clear: in 2022, the industry companies have replicated the successful results of the past two years, though with a slightly lower growth rate. Actually, it would have been impossible to do better, because – as often mentioned – the term of comparison is the record year 2021, and because in 2022 the effects of the pandemic were aggravated by a very complex situation, the Russian invasion in Ukraine, soaring energy prices, the closure of many markets, and the enduring difficulty to provision components and raw materials.
These elements had a stronger impact in the final quarter of 2022, with results that negatively affected the end-of-year balance.
However, Italian companies maintained a sustained investment flow, supported by strong incentives from the central authorities, which helped them renovate their equipment fleet.
Right now, it is exceedingly difficult to forecasts for 2023: the well-known global challenges, the overall economic situation that does not seem to support family spending or new mortgages for home buying or renovation, and the strong technological renovation carried out by companies in recent years, certainly suggest cautious optimism, which might translate into a substantial confirmation of the levels achieved this year.
