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 Ceramic tiles |
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| Exports resume growth in volumes (+1.7%) and in value (+1.9%) in the first quarter of 2010. Growth in United States (+18.7%) and Asia (+25.1%); Germany (-1.8%) and France (-3.5%) remain at 2009 levels The export figures for the first quarter of 2010 reveal growth of almost 2% in both volumes and values, a sharp contrast to 2009 when all the main industry indicators showed strongly negative values due to the international crisis. In spite of reporting a billion euro fall in turnover in 2009 compared to the previous year, the sector is striving to implement a process of corporate and sector-wide restructuring in response to the new international situation. Exports in the first quarter of 2010 In the first quarter of 2010 export volumes totalled 69.5 million square metres (+1.7%) corresponding to a total turnover of 804.8 million euro (+1.9%). The expansion is limited exclusively to non-EU markets, where growth has reached double figures (+11.2%) due to strong performances in Asia (+25.1%) and the United States (+18.7%), markets where the economic recovery has already begun to stimulate the real-estate sector. EC markets suffered a 4.3% fall in volumes to 40.2 million square metres and a 2.8% drop in turnover to 481.2 million euro. This was the combined result of substantial stability in both the larger markets for Italian tiles (France -3.5%, Germany -1.8%) and also in smaller markets that have been hit by the property sector crisis such as the UK (-1.6%) and Spain, where Italian exports have increased (+4.5%). The structure of the sector in 2009 The National Statistical Survey revealed the presence of 181 ceramic tile producing companies in Italy as of 31 December 2009, fourteen fewer than the previous year, and a total workforce of 24,595, down by 6.71%. There were a total of 273 factories (17 fewer than in 2008) and 508 kilns. During 2009 investments totalled 220.7 million euro, 27.36% down on 2008, but still equivalent to 4.9% of turnover against an Italian manufacturing industry average of around 4%. Production in Italy Production last year dropped by 28.20% to 368.0 million square metres. Glazed porcelain tile remained the leading product accounting for 168.9 million square metres, equivalent to 45.9% of total production, followed by unglazed porcelain tile (96.5 million sq.m), single fired tile (69.1 million sq.m) and double fired tile (29.3 million sq.m). The ‘other products’ category totalled 12.6 million square metres. Turnover and sales of companies operating in Italy Quantities sold in 2009 dropped to 408.4 million square metres (-19.3%). Direct sales fell by 16.0% to 88.62% of the total, while third-party sales made by ceramic producers dropped to 5.35% (down 42.89%). Sales companies handled 6.03% of the total. As regards destination markets, Italian sales totalled 127.6 million square metres (-15.6%) while exports dropped to 280.8 million square metres, 20.9% down on 2008. At the end of 2009 the Italian ceramic tile industry reported a fall in turnover of a billion euro, reaching 4,508 million euro (-18.3%). In absolute value terms, domestic sales amounted to 1,253 million euro (-14.9%) and exports 3,255 million euro (-19.51%). Although the 1.29% increase in average price (the combined result of a 0.79% increase in Italy and a 1.78% increase abroad) is the smallest percentage increase since 2003, it appears particularly significant in view of last year’s exceptional nature. Internationalisation As of 31 December 2009, there were a total of 19 foreign companies entirely or partially owned by 9 Italian ceramic groups and employing 6,297 people (9.73% down on the previous survey). Italian production abroad totalled 108.7 million square metres (-14%). This included 28.0 million square metres of single fired tiles (-23.9%), 40.6 million square metres of glazed porcelain tile (-2.5%), 13.9 million square metres of unglazed porcelain tile (-24.7%) and 17 million square metres of double fired tile (-13.2%). The “other products” category accounted for 9.3 million square metres (-8.0%). 75.2% of production outside Italy was in European countries (down 18.0% in terms of volumes), the rest in the United States. Total sales amounted to 117.6 million sq.m (-10.6%), corresponding to a total turnover of 875.9 million euro (-13.0%). |
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