In the first quarter, machine tool orders went down (-23.7%) domestic orders (-24.1%); foreign orders (-22.9%)

In the first quarter 2023, the index of machine tool orders processed by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE shows a 23.7% drop compared with the period January-March 2022. The absolute value of the index stood at 125.1 (base year 2015=100). 

The outcome was due to a reduction in the order intake registered by manufacturers, both in the domestic and foreign markets. 

In particular, the orders received abroad went down by 22.9% compared with the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index was 125.9.

On the domestic front, the order intake marked a 24.1% fall, recording an absolute value of 124.8. 

The data collection of the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU also shows that, in the first quarter 2023, the utilisation of production capacity by Italian machine tool manufacturers exceeded 86%, but actually, several companies almost attained 100%. In this quarter, the order portfolio achieved unprecedented levels, reaching 8.6 months of guaranteed production.