Rising Domestic Demand Spurs Machine Tool Orders in Germany and Italy

Germany,  ranking third globally in machine tool output behind China and Japan, saw its orders in the first three months of the year jump 10%; Italy, the world's fifth-largest producer, recorded a rise in orders of more than 15% in the period, according to national industry associations in the countries.

In Germany, domestic orders in the period were 20% higher than those in Q1 of 2013, according to the VDW, the country's association of machine tool builders. International orders slipped 5% in the quarter, it said.

VDW Executive Director Wilfried Schäfer noted that the recent sales history for German machine tools has presented a clear sign. "The continual rise in orders since the end of 2012 confirms that German customers are optimistic and the domestic investment logjam has finally dissipated."

Orders in the sector of cutting technology rose 14% in the quarter, while those for forming technology climbed 4%, the VDW said.

Italy has witnessed a revival in its domestic market, according to the UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre association. It said demand from Italian shops was more than 79% higher than in the same period last year. Export orders were up nearly 6%.

Association President Luigi Galdabini said the numbers show "a general recovery in the demand for Italian machine tools."

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