Machine tool exports increased by 2.5% in 2002

On April 4, on the occasion of its General Assembly, AFM made public the final data of the sector during the year 2002. The picture is not encouraging, with a fall in the production of machine tools of 7.6%. However, the Spanish manufacturers have been able to harness their efforts and have managed to overcome the weakness of the domestic market with an increase in their exports.

The data and references to the report that the director-general of AFM, Alberto Ortueta, presented in the General Assembly in 2003, highlighted that both the general economic situation and the industry of machine tools in the main producing countries have not been conducive to positive results. However, it should be noted that Spain is the third largest among the producer countries of machine tools of the European Union, behind Germany and Italy. In the world lies in eighth place in the main producing countries, ahead of France and United Kingdom. In export of machine tools we also occupy eighth place. The fact that is also significant since 1993 to the current situation contractionary, Spanish production of machine-tool sector has been among the countries with higher growth.

But let's go to the data. The year 2002 has been difficult for the Spanish machine tool industry as he was reflecting on impressions about the situation anticipated by AFM throughout the year. This responded to a widespread situation and of the international situation affecting major countries, since the European Union, until United States or Japan.

As expressed Alberto Ortueta and Rafael Barrenetxea, President of AFM, machine tool industry is one of the most sensitive to changes in the economic situation in general, both stages or cycles of expansion and the contractivewhich is the current situation. And the Spanish economy, it is not for great exploits (see box).

Foreign sales accounted for 59.5 per cent of the total production in the sector and a rate of coverage of 115% on imports of machine tools

In addition, the international situation has been characterized last year continuity and even worsening of the focal points of uncertainty (after the "September 11th"), with a clear impact on the expectations of economic recovery, have been delayed as events evolve. In the first half of the year such expectations were placed in doubt in a notorious way and in the second half the threats of war against Iraq and its possible negative impact on the area and in the oil markets contributed to exacerbate uncertainty.

In Europe continued the slowdown in the economies of the countries with greater weight and drag, such as Germany and France. The economic growth of the area Euro is estimated around 0.8% over the past year, compared with 1.6 per cent in industrialized countries (OECD), 4% on average in the countries in development (PED), 4.9 per cent in the countries in transition (PET) and 2.3% in the world economy as a whole.

In addition, in the Euro area, the European currency appreciation penalizes exports last year were a driver of economic growth in certain countries.

As for the economy of Japan, again recorded a mild negative rate, surrounding 0.2%, according to first estimates, it might be 1% positive when you consolidate data, but in any case confirm the stalemate, despite having an official price of money of 0%virtually. Unemployment grew to unprecedented rates of 5.5 per cent in the Japanese economy.

Price increases yield the following data for large areas: average increase of 1.6% year on year in the OECD area, 1.6% in United States, 2, 3% in the Euro area and - 0.9% in Japan.

According to AFM, machine tool in Spain production decreased by 7.6% over the past year and stood at 915,2 million euros. Exports grew 2.5%, in relation to the data of the year 2001, which highlights the great effort of promotion and internationalization of AFM and its associated companies, as well as the weakness of the internal market.

More specifically, turnover abroad 59.5 per cent of the total volume of baggage during the year, compared with 53.7% of the year 2001. It is also significant that exports of machine tools during 2002 represented a rate of coverage of 115 percent over imports, compared to 101 per cent in the year 2001.

At the global level, the results were worse than those recorded by the Spanish machine tool industry, as the production decreased by 14% and 15% export.

Production fell by 7.6 per cent in the year and stood at EUR 915 million

The expectations for the current year are uncertain and subject to the evolution of the international situation, with areas of tension such as the Middle East and especially those of Iraq, Korea of the North, the oil, the aftermath of the "September 11" in United States, etc. At close of this Edition, Iraq attacks did virtually by finishes, while United States was in his sights to other countries such as Syria and Iran. Possible attacks on these countries would also have consequences for the Spanish machine-tool. When asked by this question, those responsible for AFM pointed out that while no machine is not exported in 2002 to Syria, yes sold machine tool at Iran amounting to EUR 16 million.

AFM argues that, with expectations that are not positive or to the global economy or for the machine tool industry, the attitude of the Association and of the associated companies is that of other similar joints: increase efforts and means to improve competitiveness. Here, it emphasizes that priorities are focused on several strategic action lines, which include the following: technological innovation, internationalization, one of whose aspects is the sectoral Plan 2003 already in progress, training and collaboration Intermpresariales.

Those responsible for AFM pointed out that while no machine is not exported in 2002 to Syria, yes sold machine tool at Iran amounting to EUR 16 million

The strategic line of performances by AFM in internationalization has one of its main axes in the commercial promotion of the Sector Plan. It also contains other relevant activity areas such as those relating to the identification and promotion of common interests for carrying out projects in cooperation (Constitution of corporate alliances, consortia, etc.) or the implementation and consolidation of specific groups of the sector collaboration with industries users of machine tools (Aeronautics)(, for example).

Other areas of action relate to the identification of strategic challenges and obtaining of potential synergies in the sector, as well as the collection and dissemination of information on strategic markets.

As regards the sectoral Promotion Plan 2003 noteworthy participation in major international fairs of machine tool that will take place in different countries. Among them is the EMO in Milan, from 21 to 28 October, and others that are distributed by North America (Mexico, United States, Canada), Brazil, Russia, China, Asia-Pacific area.

The sectoral Plan 2003 also includes direct trade missions to markets such as Mexico, Brazil, China, Russia, India, and the advertising campaigns in China, United States and Italy.

In relation to the presence of Spanish machines in export markets, it is precise to emphasize that sector spent annually of the order of 5% of its turnover on r & d activities. The results are evident: a sector with its own technology that exports to more than 120 countries each year.

Notable mention also the planned openings, in the course of 2003, two major developments of internationalization, such as the Instituto Hispano-Chino of training professional of machine tool, in Tianjin, and Hispano-Malaysian Institute (MSI). Both are "turnkey" projects elaborated and carried out in collaboration with AFM-HMI-CONTES-Proschools and business partner of AFM

The economy in the United States.UU.

The economy of the United States.UU. He finished the year with a growth rate of about 2.3 per cent of annual growth, according to provisional data, although some slowdown was seen in the last quarter. This was reflected in the unemployment rate, which came back up to 6% at the end of the year, compared with 4.8 per cent in December 2001. The Federal Reserve tried to curb the economic downturn with a reduction of the official price of money to levels of 1.25%, with what seemed to be some recovery, but always with the backdrop of international uncertainty.

The Spanish economy in 2002

The Spanish economy had a growth of 2% for the year 2002, i.e. 0.2 points less than expected officially and 0.7 points below the growth of the financial year 2001.

According to the valuation of the INE, has been the year of slower growth since 1993 started the expansive decade both in the global economy and the Spanish. This lower growth in 2002 was due to the slowdown of domestic demand, which reduced his influence on the overall economic growth, as did 2.3 points to the same, compared with 2.8 points in the year 2001. Also the external sector was highlighted a less dynamic due to the stagnation of world trade.

Investment grew barely 1.4 per cent, compared with 3.2% of the previous year, weakness that was largely due to the collapse of the purchases of goods of industrial equipment.

The crisis of industrial activity and the weakness of exports explained the decline of 4% in the production of this sector, i.e. three below the growth experienced in 2001.

Despite this slowdown in the growth of the Spanish economy, has maintained a positive difference in relation to the European economies as a whole: best private consumption and developments in the sector of building and civil infrastructure.

Inflation has maintained a clear upward trend throughout the year, which ends with a rate of 4% year on year, the highest level since November 2002.