Again disappointing Ucimu analysis on the situation in Italian mechanical engineering

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Ucimu, the Italian association of machine tool, robot, and automation specialists, records significant declines for the fourth quarter of 2025 

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the order index for machine tools compiled by the Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre recorded a decrease of 13.6 percent (compared to the period from October to December 2024). The absolute index value stabilized at 68 (base 100 in 2021). On the domestic market, orders fell by 2.9 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, with an absolute value of 56.3. Notably, orders received from abroad decreased by 17.1 percent compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. The absolute index value stands at 69.3. On an annual basis, however, the order index remains positive domestically. This is attributed to the fact that in the first three quarters, there was an increase of 3.1 percent compared to 2024, with an absolute value of 67.6. Riccardo Rosa, president of Ucimu, explains: "The overall result of order intakes in 2025 is at the level of the last two years and is therefore again disappointing." According to Rosa, the last quarter of the year particularly demonstrates that no significant signs of recovery are evident regarding the Italian market.

Ucimu hopes for an improvement in the situation soon

Now, Rosa continued, we are waiting for the implementing regulations of the new measure, which is intended to support investments in new technologies until 2028. Italian companies have high expectations for this initiative – particularly due to its duration, which allows for better investment planning by users and thus a more effective and efficient distribution of the production activities of our companies. Rosa: "However, we consider it essential that the regulations be issued as quickly as possible in order to immediately work with clear framework conditions and support demand in a phase where the international scenario is putting significant pressure on the industrial systems of traditional economies."

Italy's mechanical engineering sector lacks former sales markets

Looking beyond national borders, the climate characterized by geopolitical instability is a factor that significantly impacts the results of Italian companies, which are currently denied many business opportunities abroad. Open conflicts, Donald Trump's trade policy with constant shifts in tariff matters, the crisis in the automotive industry, as well as the closure and inaccessibility of certain markets (Russia and China), are hindering possibilities. "In this context, we welcome the signing of the recently concluded free trade agreement between the EU and India, a country with enormous development and growth potential that Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems will certainly know how to make the most of."

Mercosur decision also disappoints Italy

In contrast, Italians view the decision to first subject the EU-Mercosur agreement to a review by the Court – and thus postpone it – as a severe blow to the manufacturing industry, particularly to the Italian machine tool sector, which has always had a strong interest in emerging or economically volatile markets in this region. Many of these countries, especially Brazil, represent potentially very interesting markets for Italian companies. Rosa warns: "We cannot afford for the great potential of companies and the work of organizations like Ucimu to be undone by an absolutely unreasonable decision. This is about nothing less than the competitiveness of European industry!"

This article first appeared in the German edition of MM MaschinenMarkt.