UCIMU: in the second quarter machine tool orders increased (+22%) foreign orders (+9.5%); domestic orders (+70.3%)

In the second quarter of 2025, the index of machine tool orders, processed by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE recorded a 22% rise compared to the period April-June 2024. The absolute value of the index stood at 64.4 (base year 2021=100). 

The outcome was due to the increase reported in order intake, both in the foreign and domestic markets.

In particular, the orders collected in the domestic market highlighted a 70.3% upturn versus the second quarter of 2024, for an absolute value of 54.0.

In the foreign market, order collection was up by 9.5% compared to the same period last year. The absolute value of the index was 74.6.

The results will be presented during the First Economic Day organised by UCIMU, with the aim of illustrating to the member companies (more than forty accredited companies) the type and utilization method of the data processed by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre.

Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: “This latest measurement of the UCIMU index also confirms the positive trend in order intake, which Italian machine tool manufacturers have been experiencing for four consecutive quarters. Despite this, concerns remain because the context conditions are worsening as the months go by”.

“Observing the absolute indexes – went on Riccardo Rosa – the weakness of demand, especially domestic demand, is still evident. The increase registered by Italian manufacturers in the domestic market is so remarkable also and mainly because it is compared with a really disastrous quarter (the second of 2024), the worst in the last 10 years with the exception of that of 2020, which coincided with the outbreak of the pandemic”. 

“On the foreign front, President Trump’s last statements and the content of his letter to the President of the European Commission announcing new tariff rates for products coming from the EU are certainly discouraging. Once again, we entrepreneurs of the manufacturing industry must keep our nerve and await developments, knowing well that the US President's attitude is unpredictable, to say the least. The war on “Made in Europe” exports would be a heavy penalisation not only for the Eurozone, but also for the USA and its people in particular. Therefore, - added Riccardo Rosa – we trust the Brussels authorities' capacity for dialogue to bring Trump back to a reasonable negotiation. At this point, however, we must also consider an alternative plan, in case the dialogue does not lead to the desired results”. 

“This is because the continuation of this situation is fuelling uncertainty which, I must stress again, is the primary factor blocking investment in production technologies, not only with regard to the US market. The situation is now generalised, as it impacts all the supply chains in which we are present, in all those markets that export goods to the other side of the ocean; I am referring to automotive, various mechanics, components”. 

“Considering the huge work our enterprises are carrying on to differentiate export markets and sectors, we ask the European authorities to speed up the planning of free-trade agreements with countries that are experiencing or are going to experience a long time of development, starting with Africa and some areas of Asia. But, at the same time, we call for a strong action to limit bureaucracy in favour of the economic players that are based and operate in the Old Continent, so as to unleash the full potential that our true internal market, the EU, can still express”.

“Strictly related to this is the automotive issue. We urge the Italian government authorities to act as spokespeople in European forums, for the need to rethink when and how to ensure the neutrality of the environmental impact with regard to the sector that has supported Europe's development more than any other”. 

“We are not against the transition to other forms of mobility as an alternative to the endothermic, but we think that this transition must be approached without prejudice: by asserting the principle of technological neutrality, setting emission reduction targets and leaving enterprises free to choose the technologies to achieve them. Also because when considering the sustainability of this transition process, not only the environmental impact, but also the economic and social consequences must be taken into account. In such a situation that is also complicated by the trade war, the risk of industrial desertification is more and more concrete. We absolutely cannot allow this”.

“On the domestic front – concluded President Riccardo Rosa – we hope that Transition 5.0 can again have an extension beyond 31 December to enable manufacturers of machine tools and machinery in general to collect a further round of orders. Moreover, we point out that, as soon as possible, already after the August holiday, it is necessary to open a discussion table on the needs of manufacturing companies, so as to better direct the lines on which to build the industrial policy in the next years, given that the available measures 4.0 and 5.0 are about to end. We reiterate to Confindustria and the government authorities that UCIMU is ready to take part in the working groups, which we hope will lead to a new and indispensable programmatic plan to support the evolution of the manufacturing industry in Italy”.

Cinisello Balsamo, 15 July 2025

Contact: 

Claudia Mastrogiuseppe, Head of External Relations and Press Office Management, +390226255.299, +393482618701 [email protected]

Massimo Civello, External Relations and Press Office Management, +39 0226 255.266, +39 3487812176, [email protected]

Filippo Laonigro, Technical Press Office, +39 0226 255.225, [email protected]