Positive Signs From Italy

Published: May 01, 2009

Milan, Italy | The Italian printing and converting machinery industry, represented by ACIMGA, reported a sales increase of 4% in 2008 — boosted by an 8.4% increase in exports. This is in spite of a slowdown in the final quarter due to the worldwide recession. Despite a reduction in imports (down by 8.4%), the result was a positive trade balance of almost e720 million, 33% up on 2007.

Last year saw a redistribution in the flow of Italian machinery exports to the various continental areas. In North America, there was a drop of 2.9%. However, the Central-Southern American area realized an increase of 53.7%, which was much higher than the Asian entry (+37.6%). Demand from the European market decreased 2.9%. China did well, with an increase of 58.6%.

In addition, IPACK-IMA, Grafitalia, and Converflex 2009 — the so-called Cosmic Event held in March at the Fieramilano exhibition center — was deemed a success after five intensive days. The event attracted 125,000 trade buyers, many of whom came from international countries.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the exhibitions,” says Guido Corbella, CEO of Ipack-Ima and Centrexpo. “The results allow for a level of confidence unthinkable before the Cosmic Event and should infuse some optimism in the national economy since packaging and printing affect the entire productive system.”

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