UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the association of Italian machine tool, robots, automation systems and ancillary products manufacturers, has described 2025 as rather stagnant for the Italian machinery manufacturers but forecasted that 2026 will be better.

Stagnant performance in 2025

In particular, in 2025, production stood at EUR 6,420 million, reporting a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year. The year was characterized by a strong contraction in exports, which went down to EUR 3,710 million, a 13.2% less than in 2024.

“After a really complicated 2024, 2025 confirmed as the year of trend reversal, with a change from negative to growth, however very modest, recorded in the production figure,” commented Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU.

According to UCIMU’s analysis of the data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), from the latest available data (in period January-August 2025), the main destination markets for the Italian sector offering of machine tools only were the US (EUR 423 million, -8.1%), Germany (EUR 196 million, -29.7%); France (EUR 145 million, -0.5%), India (EUR 135 million, -4.2%), Poland (EUR 135 million, +13.3%).

Domestic market recovered in consumption, which rose by 20.5% to EUR 4,465 million, drove the growth in the deliveries from Italian manufacturers on the domestic market, attaining EUR 2,710 million, corresponding to 32% more than in the previous year.

Stronger growth in certain countries

Rossa pointed out that some markets reflected weakening performance. First is Germany, which has been overwhelmed by the automotive crisis. Another primary export market for Italian machine manufacturers – the US – has difficulty in sales due to tariffs. And the closure of certain areas particularly rich in opportunities, such as Russia, require even more intense work to develop commercial relations.

UCIMU has boosted its initiatives dedicated to Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Mexico.

“With regard to Asia, India and Southeast Asian countries are of particular interest to us because they are characterized by very strong growth and a favorable inclination towards us,” said Rossa.

Forecast: Moderate growth in 2026

For 2026, the forecasts prepared by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU show a moderate rise of the main economic indicators. In particular, in 2026, production should grow, reaching EUR 6,590 million (+2.6% versus 2025).

This outcome should be determined by the positive return of exports (+0.7% compared to the 2025 figure), totalling EUR 3,735 million, as well as by the upturn in the domestic deliveries from Italian manufacturers, which should grow to EUR 2,855 million (+5.4% versus 2025), supported by increased domestic demand.

Italian consumption of machine tools, robots and automation should go up to EUR 4,730 million, an increase of 5.9% than in 2025. Imports should also benefit from the recovery in domestic demand, as proven by the forecast figure indicating a 6.8% rise to EUR 1,875 million.