Ucimu order index Italian machine tool orders fall sharply in the second quarterItalian machine tool orders declined sharply in the second quarter of 2026, as weaker domestic and export demand reflected geopolitical uncertainty and subdued investment activity. Geopolitical tensions and weak demand weighed heavily on Italy's machine tool industry (Source: free licensed / KI-generiert / PixabayIn the second quarter of 2026, the machine tool order index compiled by the Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre of Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre marked a 25.8 percent downturn compared to the period April-June 2025. The outcome reflects the difficulty encountered by Italian manufacturers, both in the domestic and foreign markets. Right from the start, we have observed a change in attitude among Italian end-users: orders are starting to flow in.” “The hope — concluded Riccardo Rosa — is that the Italian market will rapidly return to 2021–2022 levels, when its value exceeded 6 billion euro.