Italian equipment sales rise

Sales of construction equipment in Italy rose 22% during the first six months of 2016, compared to the same period a year ago, according to Italian construction equipment association Unacea.

It reported that, in total, 4,723 machines were sold during the six-month period. The majority were earthmoving machines, with 4,617 sold, which was a rise of 24%. The remaining 106 were roadbuilding machine sales, which was a decrease of 33%.

Unacea said Italian exports of construction equipment between January and March rose 1.2% to €810 million.

It said that exports of drilling equipment during the three-month period rose 50%, while exports of tower cranes increased 13%. However, there were falls in exports of crushing and screening equipment (down 21%), roadbuilding machines (10%), concrete equipment (8%) and earthmoving machines (3%).

Italian imports of construction equipment also grew, said Unacea, by 13.8% to €210 million.

It said that imports of roadbuilding equipment grew 46%, while drilling machines (38%), concrete equipment (37%), earthmoving machines (18%), and crushing and screening equipment (1%) also increased.

Imports of tower crane fell, however, some 38%.