According to the usual survey carried out by Federmeccanica, the growth phase, which began in the last quarter of 2014, has strengthened bringing the metalworking production to a growth of 2,9% on an annual basis in 2017, thanks to the good results obtained by the manufacturing companies. of metal products (+ 4,2%), of machinery and mechanical materials (+ 3,2%) and of the production of motor vehicles (+ 6,6%).
Data for the dynamics of exports of metal products are also positive, which, on the average of the 2017, have reached 216 billion euros, achieving a + 6,3% on an annual basis.
Alberto dal Poz, president of Federmeccanica, stated that these “These are extremely positive figures. It is necessary to give support to those who invest, stability and a climate of trust are needed ”, adding that it is therefore necessary to move forward with a“ pro-industry, pro-investment and pro-labor policy ”.
Furthermore, companies in the sector are starting to hire again even if "there is a lack of important professional figures for companies". For Fabio Astori, vice president of the association, “there is difficulty in finding young people who have the skills we are looking for”.
An increase in employment levels is expected for the first half of 2018 after the substantial stability observed in 2017 in companies with over 500 employees and the sharp decline in the use of the redundancy fund with a decrease of 42,2% in authorized hours .