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Manufacturing Technology Sector Looks Forward ...>>more
20-Year Record Trade Surplus ...>>more
New Chairman for MMMA ...>>more
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Manufacturing technology sector looks forward to a year of growth

07 June 2006

The results of the Manufacturing Technologies Association Trends Survey for the 1st quarter of 2006 showed that order intake accelerated in the early part of the of the year and that respondents predict further growth, albeit at a more modest pace, for the 2nd quarter.

The key points of the survey, to which there were 91 respondents from across the Association, were:

The percentage balance for business confidence (see note 2) in the 1st quarter of 2005 was +24%, led by a very positive outlook among the respondents from the Equipment Suppliers Section; this compares with +17% in the 4th quarter of 2005.

Order intake was +7.3% higher than in the final period of last year, with all three sections of the Association seeing significant growth.

All three sections expect a further quarter-on-quarter increase in orders in the 2nd quarter of 2006, although only in the Machinery Importers' section does this represent a faster pace of growth than at the start of the year; overall, the respondents predict that orders will be +3.4% up on the 1st quarter of this year.

Andrew Manly, MTA Director General commented:

"It is encouraging to see that the demand for manufacturing technology in the UK is growing; this is a trend confirmed by recent data on investment by the Engineering sector which also showed strong growth and the short-term outlook for the sector is positive."

UK Machine Tool Sector registers a 20-year record trade surplus in 2005

14 March 2006

Exports of metal working machine tools from the UK were worth £438.0 million, an increase of +9.0% on 2004, while imports increased by +6.1% to £404.0 million, giving a trade surplus for 2005 of +£34.0 million, the highest since 1982; furthermore, the run of three consecutive trade surpluses from 2003-05 is the longest since the 1980-83 period.

The growth in exports was generated by trade with the European Union, with deliveries to the EU25 growing by +21.2% compared to 2004; growth for the EU15 countries was even more rapid at +24.0%. Although exports to the rest of the world were -1.8% lower than in 2005, there were still some countries with significant growth, led by China (+43.6%) and India (+54.1%).

In contrast, import growth was generated from outside of Europe, with arrivals from the European Union slightly lower than in 2004 (-1.6% for the EU15 and -1.0% for the EU25 countries). Outside of Europe, increases in imports were led by Japan (+26.6%) and Taiwan (+53.0%).

Analysis by product type shows that the main contributions to the trade surplus came from CNC Grinding Machines (+£30.1 million) and Machining Centres (+£20.2 million). The most significant trade deficits were for CNC Lathes (-£21.2 million) and Sawing Machines (-£20.1 million). Metal cutting machines accounted for 79% and metal forming machines for 21% of both exports and imports.

UK exports of machine tools in the 4th quarter of 2005 were worth £125.0 million, a rise of +17.1% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2005 and +20.3% higher than in the 4th period of 2004. On the same basis, UK imports were worth £103.5 mil, +7.7% up on the previous quarter, but -3.7% down on the same period a year ago.


New Chairman for Metalforming Machinery Makers Association...

Following the 2004 AGM of the Metalforming Machinery Makers' Association (MMMA), Mike Hall, Sales Manager at SMV Presses (UK) Ltd in Coventry has been elected Chairman of the Association for the next two years from the beginning of October 2004.

Mike has worked in the metalforming machinery industry for many years and has a very in depth knowledge of the industry as well as the people who work within it. He has been a MMMA Council member since 1995. As he starts his term of office, he is aware that it begins, when the metalforming sector has seen a considerable downsizing, as supplier markets and outsourcing has gone overseas and that he comes into this important position as the market appears to be becoming more buoyant.

As Mike said; "Requirements and demands from press shops have changed rapidly over the last few years and we as equipment manufacturers have had to change to meet the new demand. I believe, we as an industry are now better placed to meet that demand as press shops re-invest in sorely needed new equipment. In return, they will be more able to compete in the environment of a global market. The industry has bottomed out. I am confident that the UK will become better placed to regain some of the business lost overseas. If we produce high quality products at a competitive price brought about through new equipment and improved work practices, why shouldn't some lost business come back? As I go around the country, I see excellent, well run UK press shops that have continued to invest in equipment and the people operating the equipment, still out there in the market. Those who have not, where are they today?

As Chairman I would like to see the Association grow, through new members and by getting more members to play a more pro-active role in the aims of the Association. As my past Chairman, Tim Albutt has said on many occasions, the bigger we are the more stronger voice we will have in the corridors of power, in our case, the Government. We continue to attract new members, but I want more members from those companies out there and who need representation in a body like the MMMA."

The MMMA acts as the central organisation promoting the common interests of its members involved in the manufacture and sale of metalforming machinery and ancillary products, including tooling in the United Kingdom.

Spending Review...

Government committed to a substantial increase in spending over the three years to 2007/8, with resource (current) spending to increase by an annual average of 2.5% in real terms over 2006/7 and 2007/8. The growth rate of both overall spending and departmental spending is however lower in this review, reflecting the Government's prudent approach to the public finances. Capital Expenditure will grow more rapidly, averaging around 7.5% per annum in real terms....>>more (download pdf)

Capaccioli S.R.L
Launch new process Easymud...>>more (download pdf)

Tecnofiliere
Produce custom made dies....>>more (download pdf)