GENERAL NEWS
Machine tool growth indicators
In the first quarter of 2021 , machine tool orders collected by Italian manufacturers started to grow again . The UCIMU index showed a 48.6 % upturn in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2020 . The absolute value of the index was 169 ( base 100 in 2015 ). Overseas orders rose by 30.5 % versus the period January- March 2020 .
“ The overall outcome was mainly due to the excellent performance of manufacturers in the domestic market . Indeed , in the internal market , Italian manufacturers registered a 157.9 % increase in collected orders compared to the same period in the previous year . The absolute value of the index was 195.5 ,” commented UCIMU , the Italian machine tool , robotics , automation and ancillary products association .
“ Data recorded in the first quarter ,” stated Barbara Colombo , President of UCIMU- SISTEMI PER PRODURRE , “ are positive and allow us to take a little breath after months of great difficulty . That said , the registered increases must be balanced against results obtained in the first part of 2020 which was a very difficult period because , from the end of February 2020 , we were facing the first effects of the international pandemic .
“ By the end of 2020 , we realised that the domestic market had started to increasingly generate orders and is now performing well , also supported by the investment incentive measures in new production technologies from the Transition Plan 4.0 . Business indicators in overseas markets are positive , but the recovery is happening at different rates . China and the United States are undergoing
very dynamic business activity , whereas countries in the Euro area have just started to pick up ,” she Barbara Colombo , UCIMU President . continued .
Colombo pointed out that prolonged mobility restrictions have also affected market growth internationally , despite the fact that ‘ the world is starting to make investments again in new machine tools and new automation systems ’. She also highlighted the importance of the international EMO Milano 2021 exhibition , which will be held in Milan from 4-9 October 2021 , when ‘ mass vaccinations will hopefully have enabled a return to normal ’. n
A focus on forming
The first event this year was focused on forming .
The first event in the EuroBLECH Digital Innovation Series on Forming Technology , which took place online from 27-28 April 2021 , was a key meeting platform this year for the international sheet metalworking community .
More than 2,000 visitors registered for the event , with 1,384 visitors from 70 countries worldwide active on the event platform . Participants used the opportunity to log onto the platform during the two virtual event days to network , watch webinar content live and on-demand , view product demonstrations and visit virtual showrooms of exhibitors . Visitors could virtually meet relevant exhibitors in pre-booked meetings and drop-in meetings , use a new online chat function , watch product presentations and follow webinars on current industry trends , followed by live Q & A Sessions .
“ This new event format proved successful , as many participants from all over the world joined to discover innovations , trends and current solutions in the sheet metal working industry . The most important visitor countries were Germany ; Turkey ; Spain ; Italy ; India ; the UK ; the Netherlands ; Brazil ; Japan ; Austria ; Belgium ; Sweden ; Finland ; the USA and Poland . The event registered a high percentage of participants from top management with decision-making and buying capability . More than 80 % of participants indicated their involvement in decision-making in their company ,” commented Mack-Brooks
Exhibitions Ltd , the show organiser .
A daily programme of webinars by industry experts provided an opportunity for participants to gain useful insights into the latest market developments , as well as technical expertise on new industry applications and solutions . Key players from the industry , as well as associations , provided exclusive insights into latest technologies and case studies on forming technology . A total of 13 speakers , five webinar sessions and three exhibitor product showcases were featured during the event , with participants watching the content for almost 500 streaming hours in total . On average , participants viewed two webinars on the platform during and after the event .
“ We are pleased with the results of the first event of the EuroBLECH Digital Innovation Series and thank all our exhibitors and participants for joining us at this important digital event for the sheet metal working industry in 2021 . We have seen a good level of engagement and received positive feedback . We will use the valuable feedback we receive , following this first event , to prepare for the next events in the EuroBLECH Digital Innovation Series in 2021 ,” said Evelyn Warwick , Event Director of EuroBLECH , on behalf of the organisers Mack-Brooks Exhibitions .
“ EuroBLECH is the world ’ s leading platform for sheet metal working professionals from all over the world . In times like these , it is very important for us to regularly bring our industry together on a global scale to trade and network . In our view , this will also support the industry ’ s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic ,” she continued .
Companies interested in participating as an exhibitor or as a speaker for the webinar programme can contact the show organiser . EuroBLECH itself is the world ’ s largest sheet metal working technology exhibition . It covers the entire sheet metal working technology chain and will be held in Hanover , Germany , from 25-28 October 2022 . n
. euroblech . com
ISMR June 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 9