ACIMIT SAYS MACHINERY ORDERS FELL DURING FIRST HALF OF YEAROrders for Italian textile machinery fell sharply for a second consecutive six-month period, according to figures released by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Producers.The general index for orders has fallen by 18% compared to the same period for the previous year, ending at 87.9 points (base year 1995=100). The drop was mainly in the foreign market, where the index for orders, 83.7 points, fell by 21%. The drop in orders in the internal market was 12% and the relative index 97.5 points.”We are not only dealing with the inevitable natural downturn in the sector,” explains Dr. Alberto M. Sacchi, president of ACIMIT. “Another element which has had a negative influence on the orders received by producers is the difficult economic situation of many economies. The U.S. and Turkey, for example, important markets for Italian textile machinery, are undergoing an economic downturn. The results of this are reductions in investments in the textile industry and reductions in the purchasing of machinery. In Europe, on the other hand, there are countries to which our exports continue to grow (Spain, France, Switzerland) and markets (mainly Germany) where Italian textile machinery is struggling to repeat the successes of last year.”Sacchi says there are considerable worries about the situation in the U.S. market following the recent tragedy there. The American textile industry, already undergoing restructuring, may now be further weakened by the probable drop in consumption, already felt before the terrorist attacks in the U.S.In relation to the competitiveness of the sector, Sacchi also says “ACIMIT will continue to fight for the elimination of all the bureaucratic constraints which block extraordinary operations which can provide real added value to Italian companies in terms of competitiveness. It is increasingly necessary to provide Italian companies with valid instruments so they can compete with the international competitors in all the foreign markets. This must be ensured over the short term because in our age it is rapid change which can ensure leadership in any given market”.However, the speed of change is also subject to constant research and innovation activities. This is why ACIMIT recently signed an agreement with CPI (Consorzio Politecnico di Milano Milan Polytechnic Consortium) to put companies and research centers in contact with each other. “Often, says Sacchi, “there is nobody to bring demand and supply together. The agreement signed with CPI aims to satisfy this basic requirement. The Consortium will identify, within the Milan University field or using third-parties, the skills and know-how required to provide a solution for the technological and scientific problems of textile machinery companies.”November 2001