The index of machine tool orders compiled by the Economic Studies Department and Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE rose 10.5% in the third quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The index stood at 58.9, with 2021 as the base year. Orders from international markets increased 24.7% year-on-year, taking the index to 108.6. In contrast, orders collected in Italy declined 7.1%, with the domestic index standing at 14.3.
Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, said domestic demand remained weak despite several ongoing negotiations. Uncertainty in international markets and rising energy costs were affecting manufacturing businesses in Italy, leading many companies to postpone investments while awaiting greater clarity. Mr Rosa said the proposed hyper-depreciation measure, in its 5.0 version, could support a recovery in domestic demand by allowing companies to plan investments over a longer period, extending until September 2028.
Italian machine tool manufacturers continued to see strong activity in overseas markets. Demand from the United States remained firm, while Germany showed signs of recovery. According to UCIMU data for the first half of 2026, the United States was the largest export market for Italian machine tools, with exports worth €329 million, up 12.6%. Germany followed with €137 million, an increase of 7.6%. France, Poland and Spain were the other leading destinations. Mr Rosa said demand across international markets was being driven mainly by the aerospace, defence and energy sectors.
The latest figures were presented during the inauguration of the 35th edition of BI-MU, the international machine tool exhibition being held at fieramilano Rho from October 13 to 16. The opening meeting was attended by Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy; Giovanni Bozzetti, President of Fondazione Fiera Milano; Simona Greco, Hosted Exhibitions Director at Fiera Milano; and Luca Durante of the Italian Trade Agency.
The event also featured interviews with Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo, and Roberto Vavassori, Executive Director of Brembo and President of ANFIA. BI-MU brings together more than 400 exhibitors across 40,000 square metres in Halls 22 and 24. The exhibition covers machine tools, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, measurement systems and smart-factory technologies.
Promoted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and organised by EFIM-ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE, the event includes more than 50 conferences, workshops and roundtable discussions. Two dedicated forums will examine aerospace and defence, and energy, with participation from industry executives and Italian small and medium-sized enterprises.
The programme also includes the VLF4EU conference on factory digital twins for education and training, a discussion on young people’s expectations of work, and the Skills Area in Hall 24. Activities organised by UCIMU Academy and FONDAZIONE UCIMU include the second edition of ROBOTGAMES, an automation and robotics competition for high school students.
