“Italian engineering is a healthy sector, which has within itself the resources to overcome the decline”. This is the optimistic analysis of Sandro Bonomi, chairman of Anima, an organisation which represents various mechanical engineering and associated businesses within Confindustria (the Confederation of Italian Businesses). The reference sectors of Anima are: machines and plant for energy generation and for the chemical and oil industry: assembly of industrial plant; logistics and the movement of goods; technology and equipment for food production; technology and products for industry; plant, machinery and products for the construction industry; machinery and equipment for personal and environmental safety and the manufacture of metal structures in general. 200 thousand people work in the sector, which has a turnover of more than Euro 40 billion and an export/turnover share of 55 per cent.

“Some areas”, Bonomi explains, “such as foodstuffs and the energy sector, had already shown signs of recovery last April, and these signs seemed to strengthen in the second half of the year. Some sectors instead seemed to have felt the effects of the crisis more intensely than others, but, overall, an increase in orders, which consolidates the climate of confidence, and an increase in investments, strengthen the feeling that we are emerging from the crisis”. That impression is made even more solid by Anima’s latest economic survey in relation to the third quarter of 2009, carried out using a sample of more than 400 businesses: the majority of these businesses believe that levels of production, employment and investment have reached a satisfactory degree of stability.

To emerge from the crisis the engineering sector is relying with determination on export potential, which has always been its strong point. Undoubtedly one of the most interesting markets to focus on is Brazil, whose economic program makes provision for investment in, for example, petroleum plants and urban and extra-urban infrastructure (roads and motorways), sources of alternative energy, such as co-generation, the construction and furnishing of hotels and the food industry. “These are sectors in which Made in Italy engineering excels and is the world leader” stresses Bonomi. Last September Anima signed an Agreement protocol with Abimaq, its Brazilian counterpart: an opportunity to “further intensify over the next few years those synergies which lately have brought many Italian businesses, including those in various engineering sectors, into contract with the Brazilian market, obtaining very interesting results.” In addition, Anima has recently confirmed its collaboration with the Russian union of mechanical engineering businesses through the signing of an agreement. This is an agreement of remarkable strategic importance, considering that Russia is one of the countries to which Italian exports have grown the most in recent years. Further, the agreement with the Russian organisation may promote Italian businesses in view of the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi. In fact, the organisation of the Games foresees substantial investments which require high-level technology know-how: technology which the various Italian engineering industries are in a position to supply, thanks to an efficient network of small and medium sized businesses.