In the first quarter of 2014 the machine tool index of orders, issued by the Studies Department of Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre (apex of body of machine tools industry in Italy), has registered a 15.2% increase when compared with the January-March period of the previous year. The index absolute value is 152.9, above the average for the period, taking into account 2010 as the new year of reference. The result is due to both the positive response collected from manufacturers across the border, and an awakening of the Italian market.

As far as exports are concerned, the index shows a 5.7% increase when compared with the same period of the previous year, confirming the positive trend recorded starting from the last quarter of 2013. The index absolute value for the January-March period has reached 166.5.

As far as the domestic market is concerned, the index of Italian manufacturers shows a marked increase, +79.3%, when compared with the first quarter of 2013, with an absolute value of 127.1.

"The quarterly survey issued by the Studies Department," said Luigi Galdabini, president of Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre, "shows a general recovery in the demand for Italian machine tools, with the increase appearing more evident on the domestic market".

"If" continued Galdabini, "after a period of stall, the foreign market had already started showing an increase in investments in the Made in Italy of the sector at the end of last year, it is only now that domestic Italian demand seems to be wakening up. This is a great signal, that must however be interpreted taking into account that the increase appears so marked because it is set against such a negative period, which we now hope is finally behind us."