However, the data showed a partial bounce-back with sales in the second half of the year being down by 8.7%.

Covid-19 has not spared the construction machinery industry as due to lockdown measures, between January and June 2020 Italian construction and site vehicle sales fell by 20%, falling back to 2017 levels. Data analysed by Unacea (Italian Construction Machinery Union) and Cer (European Research Centre) was presented at the Veronafiere during ‘SaMoTer Day’, an event organised to mark the run up to the international construction machinery exhibition which has been scheduled for 3 to 7 March 2021. 

The figures presented are in line with similar reported figures from around the world, with some positive signs also being reported. The Unacea / Cer study indicates that things will improve in Italy during the second half of the year. The data does however look at a worst case scenario where sales could also be dramatically reduced. On a more positive note, from July this year onwards, Italy seems to have a bounce-back due to the (then) end of the lockdown and the stabilising effects of economic policies implemented, with the situation being expected to further stabilise in 2021. The construction equipment industry in Italy is estimated to be worth more than €3.5B with sales of 19,500 units. 

As well as reporting the performance of the construction equipment industry in Italy, SaMoTer Day also saw the presentation of a paper titled: ‘Construction machinery: a strategic component of the circular economy’. Here, Unacea summarised a series of environmental proposals concerning the role of machinery in tenders and the input that demolition and recycling equipment can provide regards reducing construction waste.

SaMoTer 2021 eagerly looked forward to, being set to be an opportunity for manufacturers and companies to capitalise on any recovery in the industry. Hosted at Veronafiere, it will be held together with the 9th Asphaltica, Siteb (Italian Road Asphalt Bitumen Association’s for the bitumen and road infrastructure sector), and, for the first time, LETExpo. The latter will focus on transport, logistics and sustainable intermodal services organised by Alis (Sustainable Intermodal Logistics Association). 

“Veronafiere and SaMoTer are playing their part in supporting and promoting the construction and earthmoving world,” said Giovanni Mantovani, CEO of Veronafiere. “It will continue to do the same today, together with companies, partners and stakeholders in response to the new challenges posed by Covid-19. We are developing an exhibition in 2021 that will combine maximum safety with the business, innovation and international needs of companies through an integrated format where online events will back up the conventionally attended trade fair to create even more new opportunities.”

“The construction machinery sector is experiencing unprecedented events,” added Mirco Risi, president of Unacea.  “We have demonstrated immense resilience and dynamism. Today, if the recovery plan includes a focus promoting cutting edge technologies capable of ensuring significant improvements in efficiency, safety and environmental compatibility, then this would be an investment in the future of the country as a whole.”