Economics and markets

Fewer companies but more employees

The Middle East is the largest market, accounting for 20.5% of total export turnover, followed by the European Union (16.8% of the total) and Others Asia (15.5%)

All three sectors reported good export values. Domestic sales slumped, with the exception of refractory materials which gained 13.1%

The industry reported a total turnover of 6.6 billion euro in 2011, including 5 billion euro generated by exports (75% of total turnover)

The industry is expected to report a 20% year-on-year turnover, but the forecasts for next year are very cautious

According to figures published by the national trade association’s Study Centre, the Italian ceramic machinery and equipment industry has achieved excellent turnover growth.

Rak group (United Arab Emirates) tops the ranking by tile output volumes. Marazzi Group leads the value-based ranking, which is dominated by Italian companies. Roca Group is the number one world sanitaryware manufacturer

Tile Italia, the most widely-read magazine amongst Italian home furnishing retailers, is publishing the rankings of the 2010 turnovers of Italian ceramic companies

In 2010 the ceramic industry invested 1,121 million euro in Italian technology (18% up on 2009)

157 companies (four fewer that in 2009) and 6,228 employees (13 more than in 2009)

Asia is the largest export market with 32.7% of total export turnover: China, Taiwan and Hong Kong alone account for 19.1% of exports.

The 19th National Statistical Survey conducted by ACIMAC reveals an 8.6% recovery in turnover with respect to the disastrous figures for 2009. China, Taiwan and Hong Kong lead the export rankings

In contrast to the downturn of the domestic market, exports are continuing to grow at an average rate of 3.10% in value and 1.5% in volume

Turnover of 4.629 billion euro (2.70% up on 2009) and 5.29% growth in production

In 2010, Italian-owned ceramic tile companies operating abroad generated a turnover of 989.8 million euro

In 2010 the sector employed 38,000 people and generated a turnover of € 6.5 billion (5% up on 2009)

Forecasts good for 2011 with expected growth of close to 12%

The construction industry reported a growth rate of 8.3% in the first quarter, followed by 21.9% in the second quarter and 24.6% in the third quarter

The estimates indicate that the sector is recovering but is still a long way from pre-crisis levels.

United States, Asia, France, Germany and Russia are the countries generating the largest turnover