THE sales of construction equipment (CE) in the Italian market during the first six months of 2014 have been 3,134, with an increase of 16 per cent compared to the previous year. According to UNACEA forecasts, the value of Italian production was about -?2,500 million in 2013, which is 52 per cent less than the peak of 2008 (-?5,216 million). The Italian industry of construction equipment and attachments directly employs about 6,000 people, with related industries employing another 30,000. In 2014, UNACEA foresees a marginal increase of 2-4 per cent.

In the first four-months of 2014, exports of construction equipment have reached -?765 million in value, a growth of 2 per cent year-on-year basis. Exports of road machines see a growth of 16 per cent; while export of crushing and screening equipment (+8 per cent), concrete equipment (+6 per cent) and earthmoving machines (+3 per cent). Export of tower cranes remains stable, while the export of drilling machines shows a decrease (-14 per cent).