In the fourth quarter of 2025, the order index for machine tools developed by the Centro Studi & Cultura di Impresa of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE recorded a decline of 13.6% compared to the period of October-December 2024. The absolute index value has stabilized at 68 (base 100 in 2021).
In the domestic market, the collected orders decreased by 2.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, with an absolute value of 56.3.
In particular, orders received from abroad fell by 17.1% compared to the same period last year. The absolute index value is at 69.3.
On an annual basis, the order index in the domestic market remains positive thanks to a positive sign in the first three quarters (+3.1%) compared to 2024, with an absolute value of 67.6; increase in domestic orders +38.9% (absolute value 55.1); decline in foreign orders -9.4%, with an absolute value of 76.4.
Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, stated: "The overall result of order intake in 2025 is at the level of the last two years and is therefore disappointing again."
"Especially regarding the last quarter – Riccardo Rosa added – it is clear that the slowdown in activities in foreign markets has not been met with any significant recovery in the domestic market."
"In the domestic market, the results show that Plan 5.0 did not work as intended. While the measure, together with 4.0, partially stimulated demand, the numerous interruptions and restarts made the process less smooth until its completion in December."
"Now – Riccardo Rosa continued – we are waiting for the implementing regulations of the new measure, which are supposed to accompany investments in new technologies until 2028. Italian companies have high expectations for this initiative, especially due to its duration, which allows for better investment planning by users and thus a more effective and efficient distribution of our companies' production activities."
"However, we consider it crucial that the regulations are issued as soon as possible to be able to work immediately with clear framework conditions and support demand in a phase where the international scenario is heavily burdening the industrial systems of traditional economies."
"Looking beyond national borders, the climate shaped by geopolitical instability represents a significant factor that severely affects the results of our companies, which today are denied many business opportunities abroad. Ongoing conflicts, Trump's trade policy with constant shifts in customs issues, the crisis in the automotive industry and Germany, as well as the closure and inaccessibility of some markets like Russia and China severely restrict what has always been one of our strengths, namely export activity."
"In this context – Riccardo Rosa said – we welcome the signing of the recently concluded free trade agreement between the EU and India, a country with enormous development and growth potential, which Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems will certainly know how to utilize to the fullest. On the other hand, India, with an export volume of 135 million euros (in the first nine months of 2025, the latest available value), is currently our fourth most important sales market. We are convinced that the recently signed agreement, as well as the repeal of the so-called 'Omnibus' regulation by the Ministry of Heavy Industry – which was supposed to come into force in early 2026 and would have tied the import of machines to obtaining a BIS license – will give additional momentum to our activities in this region."
"In contrast – President Rosa added – we view the decision to subject the EU-Mercosur agreement to a review by the court and thus postpone it as a severe blow to the manufacturing industry and especially to the Italian machine tool industry, which has always had a strong interest in emerging or economically fluctuating markets in this region. Many of these countries, led by Brazil, represent potentially very interesting markets for our companies, whose high quality and customization of offerings are appreciated by local users. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures as quickly as possible to implement the agreement, which would also exempt our sales from numerous currently applicable customs duties."
"Also with regard to this agreement, the association has intensified its initiatives for the countries of Latin America over the past two years. In addition to exploratory missions in Brazil aimed at strengthening partnerships with the local system consisting of institutions, companies, and representative organizations, UCIMU has initiated an intensive dialogue with the industrial associations of Argentina, paving the way for new collaborations between the industries of both countries. Moreover, we have not overlooked the so-called 'associated countries' and 'observer states' of the agreement, as we are convinced that they can also offer interesting opportunities for Italian manufacturers. Among the associated Mercosur countries, we have focused on Chile, where a project for the development of a technology center is being examined following an exploratory mission. Among the observer states of this agreement, our particular attention is on Mexico, where since early 2025 the Oficina Italiana de Promoción Mexico has been active – a desk to support Italian companies in market entry, which is also of strategic importance for Central and North America."
"We cannot afford – this is the conclusion of President Rosa – for the great potential of companies and the work of organizations like ours to be undermined by an absolutely unreasonable decision. It is about the competitiveness of European manufacturing."
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