The 2010 figures reported by Italian packaging machinery manufacturers show that the industry has put the crisis firmly behind its back. The sector's turnover totalled 3,759 million euro at current prices, 16,4% up on 2009, when it slumped to 3,229 million euro. Last year's turnover even surpassed that of 2007 (3,610 million euro) and was not far short from the record figure of 3,827 million euro achieved in 2008. The excellent 2010 performance also enabled the Italian packaging machinery industry to strengthen its international leadership position and secure a 25,7% share of the world market

Amafond, the trade association of Italian equipment manufacturers and suppliers to the metalcasting industry, on the occasion of the 12th edition of the GIFA Show (June 28 - July 2, 2011), published a new directory of its members. "Italian Foundry Technology Machinery & Products Directory, a 176-page volume, heavily bound and in full color, is available upon request to foundries and diecasters. More than 85 companies are extensively profiled and illustrated in color, with details of their capabilities and achievements presented in both English and Italian. Full company contact information is

ASSOCOMAPLAST, the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Moulds Manufacturers Association, will be exhibiting at the upcoming PLAST-EX Show, taking place in Toronto, from June 21 to 23 - Booth 2425. Founded in 1960, ASSOCOMAPLAST represents and promotes 170 leading Italian plastics and rubber machinery, ancillary equipment and moulds manufacturers. ASSOCOMAPLAST organizes PLAST 2012, the benchmarking trade show for plastic and rubber machinery and equipment in Europe, in 2012. ASSOCOMAPLAST is a partner of the Machines Italia project since its inception in 2001 and collaborates

Milan, May 5th 2011 - The Italian Trade Commission together with FEDERMACCHINE via its Machines Italia project invited Italian manufacturers to an executive presentation on the project's activities in North America conducted on their behalf.

Italy produces approximately 50% of the machinery used to produce footwear and leather goods around the world and 80% of tanning machinery globally, according to Assomac, an association that represents Italian manufacturers of machines for footwear, leather and tannery industries. Many of the manufacturers are small, with the entire industry employing approximately 6,200 people in Italy. There are three basic tanning centers in Italy, says Peter Helfer, a managing partner at Campex LLC, an Exeter, N.H., a company that sells Italian leather-making machinery in North America. Whole hides and