Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: "This latest UCIMU index survey also confirms the positive trend in order intake. Despite this, concerns remain, as the context is worsening as the months go by."
In the second quarter of 2025, the machine tool order index compiled by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Center showed a 22% increase compared to the April-June 2024 period. In absolute terms, the index stood at 64.4 (base 100 in 2021).
This result was driven by the increase in order intake on both the foreign and domestic markets.
In particular, orders collected on the domestic market increased by 70.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024, for an absolute value of 54.0.
On the foreign market, order intake increased by 9.5% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 74.6.
The results will be presented during the First Economic Day organized today by UCIMU with the aim of illustrating to member companies (over forty accredited companies) the types and methods of use of the data processed by the Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa.
Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: "This latest UCIMU index survey also confirms the positive trend in order intake that Italian machine tool manufacturers have been experiencing for four consecutive quarters. Despite this, concerns remain, as the underlying conditions are worsening as the months go by."
"Looking at the absolute indices," Riccardo Rosa continued, "the weakness of demand, particularly domestic demand, is still evident. The increase recorded by manufacturers on the domestic market is particularly significant because it compares with a truly disastrous quarter (the second of 2024), the worst in the last 10 years with the exception of 2020, which coincided with the outbreak of the pandemic."
"On the international front, President Trump's latest statements and the content of the letter sent to the President of the European Commission announcing new tariff rates for EU-sourced products are certainly disheartening. Once again, we manufacturing entrepreneurs must hold our nerve and await developments, knowing full well that the US president's attitude is, to say the least, unpredictable. A war on Made in Europe exports would be a severe penalty not only for the Eurozone but also for the US and its people in particular. Therefore," added Riccardo Rosa, "we trust in the Brussels authorities' ability to engage in dialogue and bring Trump back to a reasonable negotiation. At this point, however, we can no longer ignore an alternative plan in case the dialogue fails to yield the desired results."
"This is because the continuation of this situation fuels uncertainty, which, I must reiterate, is the primary factor blocking investment in production technologies, not just in the US market. The situation is now widespread, impacting all the supply chains in which we operate, in all those markets that export goods to the other side of the ocean; I'm thinking of the automotive, mechanical engineering, and components industries".
"Given the enormous effort companies are making to diversify their markets and outlet sectors, we urge European authorities to accelerate the planning of free trade agreements with countries experiencing, or about to experience, a long period of development, starting with Africa and parts of Asia. At the same time, we urge strong action to reduce red tape for economic players residing and operating in the Old Continent, thus unlocking the full potential that our true internal market, the EU, can still offer."
"Closely related to this is the automotive sector. We ask Italian government authorities to advocate in European forums for the need to rethink the timing and methods of ensuring the environmental neutrality of the sector that has supported Europe's development more than any other.
We are not opposed to the transition to alternative forms of mobility to internal combustion engines, but we believe this transition must be approached without prejudice: by upholding the principle of technological neutrality, setting emissions reduction targets, and leaving businesses free to choose the technologies to achieve them. This is also because, in assessing the sustainability of this transition process, economic and social impacts must be considered not only environmental but also social. And, in a situation complicated by the trade war, the risk of industrial desertification is increasingly real. We absolutely cannot allow this".
"On the domestic front," concluded President Riccardo Rosa, "hoping that Transition 5.0 can still be extended beyond December 31st, thus allowing machine tool manufacturers and machinery manufacturers in general to receive a further round of orders, we emphasize the need to open a discussion table on the needs of manufacturing companies as soon as possible, after the August break, to better guide the lines of industrial policy for the coming years, given that the measures we have at our disposal, 4.0 and 5.0, are coming to an end. We reiterate UCIMU's willingness to participate in the working groups, which we hope will lead to a new, necessary plan to support the evolution of the country's manufacturing sector, to Confindustria and the government authorities."
In 2025, exports of valves and taps reached €6.2 billion (+5.2% compared to 2024). exports of valv
AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association – will be a key player at MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, held from March 24th to 27th in Milan. In 2025, after years of contraction, exports of valves and taps for civil use to Germany will return to positive territory, with a value of 153 million euros and a growth of 12% compared to 2024 and +20% compared to 2020. Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in terms of revenue, followed by the United States and China; Concerns remain high about the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East, an area which overall is worth 874.9 million euros for the civil valves and taps sector alone; Other concerns include rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical difficulties, the lack of real free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. AVR, in the presence of 13 international associations belonging to the International Valves and Taps Alliance, proposes to create the first "World Forum dedicated to valves and taps". The Italian valve and faucet sector remains a leading international player. According to data from the Statistics Office of Anima Confindustria, released by AVR —the Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers' Association, affiliated with Anima —during MCE–Mostra Convegno Expocomfort , exports of the valve and faucet sector (which includes valves for construction, industrial valves, sanitary taps, and fittings) will reach nearly €6.2 billion in 2025, up 5.2% from 2024, with an estimated total turnover of €9.55 billion. Exports of valves and faucets for residential use alone exceeded €3.2 billion (+6% from 2024). Considering only residential valves and faucets, Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in 2025, followed by the United States and China. Among the countries, the German market , after years of contraction, is returning to positive territory, with exports of €153 million and a 12% growth compared to 2024 and a 20% growth compared to 2020, reaffirming its position as the reference market for Italian exports of residential valves and faucets. This trend could offer a significant contribution to the European sector and offset, at least in part, the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East , an area worth €874.9 million to Italy overall. Furthermore, among the countries that recorded the most positive export performances in 2025, Norway also stands out, with a 59% increase. Besides geopolitical instability and its impact on strategic markets, what other concerns do industry entrepreneurs have? 2026 will also see rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical challenges, the lack of true free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. In a complex scenario like this, it is crucial to strengthen dialogue and collaboration beyond national borders, creating concrete opportunities for discussion and cooperation between businesses, institutions, and trade associations. The goal is to jointly address sensitive issues for the sector (such as PFAS, nuclear power, and lead) and identify common solutions and best practices, recognized and adopted internationally. It is precisely in this direction that AVR is committed to creating the first Global Forum dedicated to valves and faucets . This meeting aims to leverage international experiences and offer shared tools to address the main challenges common to all businesses operating in countries around the world. "The Italian valves and taps sector confirms its position as an international benchmark, thanks to highly specialized manufacturing capabilities, a strong focus on innovation, and a consolidated presence in key foreign markets, " stated Sandro Bonomi, President of AVR . " The 2025 data confirm the sector's solidity, but at the same time highlight how complex and constantly evolving the global landscape remains. In this scenario, for a highly export-oriented sector like ours, it is essential to be able to rely on conditions that support the competitiveness of companies and enhance their presence on international markets. The discussions launched at MCE with the International Valves and Taps Alliance are moving precisely in this direction: strengthening dialogue between the sector's key stakeholders and sharing a common vision of the industrial, technical, and commercial challenges that lie ahead." AVR is the federated industrial association of ANIMA Confindustria, representing Italian companies in the valve and faucet industry, with over 80 member companies. In 2025, the sector, which includes building valves, industrial valves, sanitary faucets, and fittings, is projected to generate revenues of €9.55 billion, with exports accounting for nearly €6.2 billion, more than 60% of total revenues (estimate by the Anima Confindustria Research Office). The member associations of the International Valves and Taps Alliance: AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association, AGRIVAL (Spain), BVAA (UK), CIPHE (UK), EVOLIS (France), FLUIDEX (Spain), IAPMO (USA), JVMA (Japan), POMSAD (Turkey), SAI, Valves and Fittings (Sweden), SPAP (Poland), URS (Switzerland), VDMA (Germany), VMA (USA). ANIMA Confindustria Meccanica Varia is the trade organization within Confindustria (Italian Confederation of Mechanical Engineering) that represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people, generates a turnover of €56 billion and accounts for 60% of exports (data from the Anima Research Office). The main sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; and safety and environment.
Industriale.it certification