Italian market grows

Sales Of Italian manufactured earthmoving equipment grew +12,7%, in 2006, reaching a historic peak of € 3,7 billion, according to Comamoter, the Italian earthmoving machinery association.

Giuseppe Fano, president of Comamoter, said he expects growth to continue in 2007 and 2008, although the high seen in 2006 is expected to be somewhat lower at +5,5% per year.

About 60% of production was exported in 2006, up +22,7% to € 2,5 billion. Mr Fano said he expects this trend to continue in 2007 and 2008, with growth of +4,5% and +5,8% respectively.

Imports grew +15,6% in 2006, and are expected to rise by +4,3% in 2007 and +3,2% in 2008.

Combined sales of domestic and imported equipment reached 28000 machines in 2006, up +9,4%, to € 1,2 billion. Mr Fano is forecasting an increase of +5,5% in 2007, followed by a slight fall to +2,9% in 2008.

Individually, sales of “traditional machines” – dozers, excavators, loaders and graders – grew by +6,7% in 2006. Sales of mini-excavators also rose, +9,3%, as did skid steer loaders, +13,5%, telescopic handlers, +25%, and road building equipment, +6,6%.

Sales of backhoe loaders and demolition breakers fell, -8,6% and -6,3% respectively.