During the fourth quarter of 2012, Machines Italia together with IndustryWeek magazine conducted its survey on the usage of automation in the manufacturing sector. This Survey had as its objectives the following: Examine the use of automation and robotics among manufacturers; Investigate the use of and perception of Italian machines; Determine future purchasing plans and the important factors and players in the decision-making process. The methodology was straight forward as IndustryWeek's Penton Research emailed invitations to participate in the online survey to the print subscribers of its

ASSAGO, ITALY -- Italian plastics and rubber machinery makers expect to produce 4.2 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in equipment this year, with exports of 2.6 billion euros ($3.45 billion), according to Italy's plastic and rubber machinery association Assocomaplast. The association examined imports and exports from the first nine months of the year and found that exports increased 9 percentage points, while imports increased 2 percent. Compared to 2010-2011, the balance of trade for the sector increased 11 percent to 1.41 billion euros ($1.5 billion). Europe is still the top export destination

Italy's association for textile machinery, ACIMIT, reported textile machinery orders for the third quarter of 2012 grew by eight percent (8%) over the previous quarter, for an absolute value of 108.2 points (2005=100). A comparison with the same period in 2011 showed an even greater increase (+53%), a positive result which is due solely to orders originating from foreign markets, whereas the situation in Italy highlighted a decidedly opposite and negative trend. In fact, orders from foreign markets rose 11% compared to the period from April to June 2012, for an absolute value of 123.3 points

According to statistics provided by the association, Assocomaplast, Italian imports and exports for the sector recorded new gains in the first half of 2012 with respect to the same period in 2011. Italian exports for the sector, marked a substantial increase (+11%) exceeding 1.23 billion euros overall. This has produced measurable improvement in the balance of trade, which has reached figures well in excess of 900 million euros. Regarding the principal types of machinery exported, extruders, accounting for roughly 12% of the total, continue to record double-digit growth, approaching twenty

Becoming More Globally Competitive Mr. Perez, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services at the International Trade Administration, details the programs and policies that the ITA has implemented to strengthen U.S. manufacturers' global competitiveness and to enhance U.S. exports. This presentation was filmed at the "Fast Forward: Strategies for Solving Manufacturers' Most Challenging Problems" Machines Italia conference in Plymouth, Michigan on June 21, 2012.

Italian exports of graphic, paper and converting machinery have increased by 4.82% in the first quarter of 2012. Imports are also showing an impressive + 9.94%. Such are the figures published by the Research Center of trade association ACIMGA based on Istat data. The same source reveals that the USA remains the first buyer of Italian machinery with a 68.8 % increase, followed by Germany and China – over the last quarter, the latter has doubled its orders. “We are relieved to see the plus sign in front of these figures, in sharp contrast with the general economic scenario, especially in

Machines Italia North America will launch its online advertising campaign on various websites and e-newsletters in Canada and the United States. Targeted publications in the U.S. include Designnews.com CNNMoney.com Businessweek.com/innovation Techbriefs.com While in Canada, selected publications include: : Canadian Plant Canadian Manufacturing Frasers Design Engineering The banners on the above websites promote the website: old.machinesitalia.org..., the publication The Italian Edge : Technology for Sustainability and the study on the image and reputation of Italian machines.