Domestic orders (-2.9%) Foreign orders (-17.1%). In the fourth quarter of 2025, the machine tool orders index developed by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre recorded a 13.6% decline compared to the October-December 2024 period. The absolute value of the index stood at 68 (base 100 in 2021).
On the domestic front, orders recorded a 2.9% decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, for an absolute value of 56.3.
The result of orders collected abroad was more severe, recording a 17.1% decline compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 69.3.
On an annual basis, order intake remains in positive territory thanks to the positive trend recorded in the first three quarters, and amounts to +3.1% (67.6 absolute index) compared to the 2024 figure; +38.9% domestic orders (absolute index 55.1); -9.4% foreign orders (absolute index 76.4).
Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, stated: "The overall result of order intake for 2025 is in line with that of the last 2 years and therefore once again disappointing."
"With particular reference to the last quarter - added Riccardo Rosa - it is clear that the slowdown in activity on foreign markets was not matched by a substantial recovery on the domestic market."
"On the domestic front, the results collected demonstrate that plan 5.0 did not work as it should have. Certainly the measure, together with 4.0, boosted demand a little but the countless starts and stops made everything less fluid until its conclusion in December."
"Now," continued Riccardo Rosa, "we are awaiting the implementing decrees of the new measure that will accompany investments in new technologies until 2028. Italian companies have great expectations regarding this measure, especially because of its duration, which allows for better planning of purchases by users and therefore also a more effective and efficient distribution of our companies' production activity. However, we believe it is essential that the decrees arrive very soon so that we can operate immediately and clearly, supporting demand at a time when the international scenario is severely testing the industrial systems of traditional economies."
"Looking beyond our borders, the highly uncertain environment, driven by geopolitical instability, is a factor that is severely impacting the results of our companies, which today find themselves cut off from many business opportunities abroad. Open conflicts, Trump's trade strategy with its constant retractions regarding tariffs, the automotive and German crisis, and the closure and now inaccessibility of certain markets such as Russia and China are severely limiting what has always been one of our strengths: export activity."
"In this regard," stated Riccardo Rosa, "we warmly welcome the free trade agreement just signed by the EU and India, a country with enormous potential for development and growth, potential that Italian machine tool, robot, and automation manufacturers will undoubtedly be able to capitalize on. Moreover, with €135 million in exports (in the first nine months of 2025, the latest available data), India is now our fourth largest export market, and we believe that the newly signed agreement, together with the Ministry of Heavy Industries' repeal of the "Omnibus" order, which was due to come into force at the beginning of 2026 and which would have made machinery imports subject to obtaining a BIS license, will give further impetus to our business in the area."
"On the contrary," added President Rosa, "we consider the decision to postpone the EU-Mercosur agreement for an assessment by the Court to be a severe blow to the manufacturing industry, and in particular to the Italian machine tool industry, which has always paid close attention to emerging markets or markets with fluctuating trends like those in the area. Many of those countries, Brazil first and foremost, represent potentially interesting markets for our companies, whose local users appreciate the high quality and customization of their offerings. For this reason, we must act as soon as possible to implement the agreement, which would also free our sales from many of the duties currently in force."
"Also by virtue of this agreement, over the last two years, the association has strengthened its initiatives dedicated to Latin American countries. In addition to the exploratory missions carried out in Brazil, designed to strengthen partnerships with the local system of institutions, businesses, and representative organizations, UCIMU has initiated interesting discussions with industrial representative organizations in Argentina, preparatory to new collaborations between the two countries' industries. We have not neglected the so-called "associated" and "observer" countries linked to the agreement, confident that they too will offer interesting opportunities for Italian manufacturers. Among the Mercosur associates, we have turned our attention to Chile, where, following a reconnaissance mission, a project for the development of a Technology Center has been under consideration. Among the observer countries of the agreement, our focus is on Mexico, where, since the beginning of 2025, the Oficina Italiana de Promotiòn Mexico has been operating, a desk that works to support Italian companies in their knowledge and market penetration activities. of the relevant market, including for the Central and North American area."
"We cannot allow," concluded President Rosa, "the great potential of companies and the work done by organizations like ours to be undermined by an absolutely senseless decision. The competitiveness of European manufacturing is at stake."
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