Anima data show marginal growth (+0.4%), highly polarized sectors, and competitive pressure from abroad
The first half of 2025 closed with overall exports of Italian mechanical engineering substantially stable, recording marginal growth of 0.4% (for a total of 19.84 billion euros) compared to the same period in 2024. This figure portrays a resilient sector but also a picture of growing uncertainty, with highly polarized percentage performances that reveal some sectors experiencing strong expansion and others in sharp contraction. These are the main findings emerging from the analysis conducted by the Statistics and Market Intelligence office of Anima Confindustria on data for the first half of the year.
The mechanical engineering sector continues to confirm its vocation for export, with approximately 60% of production destined for foreign markets. Nonetheless, the first-half data highlight contrasting trends that require particular attention.
Among the sectors that recorded the best performances, hydraulic and steam turbine manufacturers stand out, followed by commercial refrigeration equipment, which grew strongly with a 20.8% increase compared to the first half of 2024 (equal to €407 million in exports). Industrial ovens are in third place, with a 12.5% increase, as well as bakery machinery and ovens, which recorded an excellent +9.2%. The valves and faucets sector confirmed solid growth, remaining a pillar of Italian exports with over €3 billion (+4.6%).
On the other hand, the sectors experiencing the greatest difficulties showed significant contractions. Industrial forklifts suffered the sharpest decline, falling 20.2% from €1.31 billion to €1.05 billion. Internal combustion engines also recorded a sharp contraction of -19.7%, likely reflecting the ongoing transition to electric solutions and alternative energy sources.
On the international market front, in the first half of 2025, the United States confirmed its position as the leading destination (€2.3 billion in total), partly due to the increase in orders from overseas companies in recent months – with the aim of stockpiling ahead of the full implementation of the new tariffs. Precisely because of the tariffs, serious concerns remain for many mechanical engineering sectors starting in the second half of this year.
Germany, while remaining the second largest market for Italian exports (€1.87 billion and -3.3%), continues to show signs of weakness, confirming a negative trend that has now persisted for several quarters. France also shows increasing fragility (-6.3%), with marked contractions in various sectors, highlighting how economic and political instability is weighing on domestic industrial demand. Nonetheless, several Italian mechanical engineering companies have demonstrated their ability to diversify geographically, finding outlets in non-European markets – especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe, exports to Spain have grown significantly (+13.1%), rising to fourth place among Anima mechanical engineering destinations, with a total of €934 million.
On the import front, data show significant overall growth of 6.7%, signaling growing competitive pressure from foreign suppliers. Particularly notable is the trend in aeraulic systems, whose imports increased by 26.9%, and in bakery machinery and ovens: +109% compared to last year. Household goods also saw an explosion in imports (+32.6%).
"The results of the first half of the year confirm that the Italian mechanical engineering industry, compared to the first half of 2024, has maintained substantial stability, once again demonstrating its resilience and ability to adapt," states Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria."This figure, while positive in a complex international context, highlights a halt in growth. In recent years, the Italian mechanical engineering industry has demonstrated extraordinary strength and rebound ability, successfully diversifying its outlet markets even in critical moments. However, geopolitical tensions, the issue of US tariffs, the weakening of its main European partners, and growing competitive pressure from abroad generate uncertainty for the future. While maintaining its structural solidity, the mechanical engineering industry is facing increasingly pressing challenges. The ability demonstrated by Italian companies to maintain good positions on global markets is a positive element, but the situation requires constant attention and structural interventions to protect the competitiveness of a strategic branch for the entire national economy, without forgetting the social fabric implicitly involved. It is essential that national and European institutions support the sector with targeted industrial policies, promoting the competitiveness of companies and ensuring fair competition on international markets.
ANIMA Confindustria is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the various and related mechanical engineering sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people for a turnover of 55.5 billion euros and an export/turnover share of 59% (Anima Research Office data). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and the environment.
From may 19th, overhead crane operator's license will be mandatory in all companies.
Aisem: "There's a risk of production shutdowns for some companies. It's necessary to ensure more adequate time and effective training support tools." Starting May 19, overhead crane operators in Italy, a professional category employing over half a million people, will also be required to be trained in accordance with the 2025 State-Regions Agreement (ASR 2025). Without this training, required by specific regulations, it will be impossible to practice the profession. Incidentally, the Ministry of Labor lists the May 19 date on its website, although based on the publication date of the ASR 2025 in the Official Journal, compliance effectively begins on May 25. This discrepancy in dates is creating uncertainty among operators regarding safety, an issue on which uncertain interpretations should not exist. Before the introduction of the new Agreement, training on the use of equipment such as overhead cranes was already required by the Consolidated Law on Occupational Safety (Legislative Decree no. 81/2008), but the choice of training program remained at the discretion of the employer . With the new Agreement, however, overhead cranes have been included in the list of work equipment for which specific, standardized, and predefined training is mandatory—both in content and in terms of hours—as is already the case, for example, for forklifts. However, significant critical issues have emerged in the practical implementation of ASR 2025. The timeframe allowed for compliance has proven too short given the vast number of companies involved. According to estimates by AISEM , the Italian Association of Lifting, Elevation, and Handling Systems affiliated with Anima Confindustria, over 150,000 overhead cranes are currently in operation in Italy, each operated and managed by different operators within the company. This creates a difficult-to-manage paradox: by law, all overhead cranes used by operators without adequate training, i.e., in line with the provisions of the ASR 2025, must be stopped, with serious operational repercussions for many companies. AISEM President Massimiliano Bariola comments: "The introduction of mandatory licensing for overhead crane operators raises regulatory and institutional controversies. The distinction between the previously required training and the current mandatory requirement, with standards set by interinstitutional agreements, creates uncertainty and difficulties of interpretation for businesses. It should also be considered that some companies may not yet be aware of this new requirement, given the short timeframe between the announcement of the requirement and the entry into force of the regulation. Given the large number of operators involved ," Bariola continues, " AISEM had asked the institutions for at least five years to complete the training courses, but this request was not granted. It is therefore necessary for the competent authorities to collaborate to ensure more adequate time and effective training support tools, in order to reconcile safety and production continuity." Matteo Frigo , lifting group leader within Aisem, emphasizes: "The operational difficulties in implementing mandatory training are evident and shared by the operators themselves. There is also a real risk of short-lived or poorly structured training courses being organized, which do not follow the correct required training path . We remind you that Aisem and its member companies are accredited training organizations , in full compliance with the provisions of the State-Regions agreement. At this time, open dialogue between regulatory bodies, companies, and trade associations is needed to prevent a measure designed to protect safety from becoming an obstacle to regular work activities. Aisem will continue to carefully monitor the evolution of the situation, confirming its commitment to complying with safety regulations and industrial development needs." AISEM is the Anima federated association that brings together the best national businesses for the construction and distribution of material handling, lifting, and hoisting machinery. It represents over 80% of the entire national production, approximately 40% of which is exported. ANIMA Confindustria is the trade organization within Confindustria that represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 224,000 people, generates a turnover of €59.1 billion, and will account for approximately 60% of exports in 2025 (Anima Research Office 2025 forecasts). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; and safety and environment.
Industriale.it certification