The fourth quarter in 2009 showed the first signs of economic recovery for the Italian woodworking machinery and tools industry. Good news, though to a moderate extent, that bring some optimism for preliminary 2009 balance and 2010 forecasts. The increased confidence of international markets feeds expectations for improvement in the next few months; however, going back to pre-crisis levels is a long-term goal and will necessarily require both structural and strategic innovation processes. š š
But let's come to figures. According to the quarterly survey based on a statistic sample that represents the entire industry, production increased by 5.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year (foreign orders up by 17.6 percent, domestic orders down by 22.4 percent). Prices have remained substantially stable, while the orders book, at the end of Q4 2009, covered 1.8 months approximately. š š
Coming to the quality survey, 47 percent of the interviewed companies indicated a negative production trend in the final quarter of 2009, 39 percent talked of substantial stability, while 14 percent reported expansion. Employment was stationary for 46 percent of the sample and decreasing for 54 percent. Available stocks were stationary according to 61 percent, decreasing according to 28 percent and growing according to the remaining 11 percent. š š
The forecast survey outlines possible short-term trends: although stagnating production is affecting most companies, a rally of foreign markets hit by the global economic crisis is expected. Foreign orders will record growth according to 32 percent of the sample, while they are expected to stay at the same level according to 64 percent. The remaining 4 percent expects a further drop (balance 28). The Italian market is expected to have a shrinking trend according to 14 percent of the interviewees, it will remain stable for 68 percent and it will improve for 18 percent (balance 4). š š š š š š š š
