Italy’s textile machinery industry must put the true value of Made in Italy at the centre of its strategy for the coming years. This was the message from Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT (the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), during the Association’s General Assembly held on 4 July 2025 at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.

Presenting the latest industry figures, Salvadè reported that Italian textile machinery production fell by 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year, totalling €2.1 billion, while exports declined by 9% to €1.8 billion. These results reflect a fragile global context that has impacted all major international competitors in the sector. Despite this, China, Turkey, India and the United States remained the key export destinations for Italian manufacturers, even amid persistently subdued demand.

“US protectionist policies and escalating geopolitical tensions risk slowing global investment in the textile and apparel supply chain,” commented Salvadè. “Any further trade conflicts could have damaging consequences for our industry and the broader value chain.”

Salvadè stressed that protecting the authenticity of Made in Italy must be treated as an urgent priority for manufacturers. He pointed out that the strength of Italy’s textile machinery industry has always relied on the experience of its skilled workforce, its culture of creativity and its constant drive for technological innovation. These, he said, must be defended and promoted worldwide, as they are the distinguishing hallmarks of Italian-made machinery.

ACIMIT’s 80th anniversary, marked during the Assembly, offered an important opportunity to reflect on the association’s heritage and future. “This milestone invites us to look back with pride and ahead with a sense of renewed passion and responsibility,” Salvadè said.

The Assembly also hosted a roundtable discussion focusing on three strategic pillars: internationalisation, innovation and sustainability. Participants agreed that Italian textile machinery manufacturers must continue to pursue innovative solutions that combine lower environmental impacts with improved production efficiency and cost control. This is seen as crucial to ensuring that the sector remains competitive in the face of fast-changing global market dynamics and environmental expectations.

The debate also highlighted the need to strengthen Italy’s position in mature and emerging international markets through targeted initiatives that reinforce the reputation of Italian-made machinery. According to ACIMIT, this is vital for consolidating global leadership and tapping into new business opportunities abroad.

Italy’s textile machinery sector consists of around 300 manufacturers employing approximately 12,500 people. Around 86% of production is exported. Italian machinery is recognised worldwide for its creativity, quality, sustainable technologies and reliability—attributes that the Association says must remain at the heart of its value proposition in challenging times.

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