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INTERNATIONAL
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013
ITALY
a problem investing in new equipment.
“The Italian market for the first half of next
year will be flat, in the second part something
will change, but I’m not sure if that will be a
positive or negative change.”While Mr Marti
was half joking, his response demonstrates the
uncertainty of the Italian market, thanks to the
difficult economic and political situation.
One of the main issues for end users and
There has been staunch criticism of Italy’s new training laws for powered access equipment. Gerhard
Hillebrand, founding member and representative of IPAF in Italy, explains why. “Over the last four years,
new Health and Safety rules governing the safe use of MEWPs and of any other potentially-dangerous
machinery have radically changed the training requirements of the industry in Italy.
It ended in the State/Regions Agreement of 22 February 2012, seeing stringent regional accreditation of
instructors, training companies and regulations. Operators, rental companies and equipment owners face
tough sanctions if they fail to comply. The drafting of the regulation by the Ministry of Labour, in which IPAF
was involved, has been modified several times due to the pressure from politically-driven trade lobbies and
public entities. Health and safety, including training, inspection and surveillance of working equipment, is
now mandated by a constitutional Act to autonomous regions and the provinces of Trento and Bolzano. It
allows them to issue individual regional laws and regulations which must refer to the existing state/regions
terms governing public class room education.
It is for this reason that serious inconsistencies have emerged. Regional parameters have been set
without adequate practical training competence. This is to the detriment of many private existing training
centres set up, for example, by manufacturers, distributors and rental companies. Despite providing
adequate technical training recognised in most industrialised nations, they are not now being accepted
in Italy and are struggling to achieve approval. Without a licence certificate from the individual region, no
company is authorised to deliver training. So, the accreditation process in 21 differently ruled Italian regions
and two autonomous provinces is long, complex and expensive.”
NEW LAW CRITICISM
President of CTE, Lorenzo Cipriani, says there
will be developments across the manufacturer’s
range. “In fact we are working on working heights
from 20 to 32 m, and we are also developing our
industrial High Range over 61 m.
“The features that will become important in
the future for us will be the most efficient use
of materials to allow increased capacity, long
outreach and safety in using the machines.
“We have introduced new improvements
primarily for the International market. The most
important improvements were the increased
capacity in the basket, electronic systems with
high performance, installations on different
models of trucks for special export markets.”
CTE TO EXPAND RANGE
rental companies is the lack of available credit
from banks which have been loath to lend
money.The feeling among manufacturers is
that users want to invest in machines, and
therefore they could be selling more.
Export mission
In reaction to the economy in Italy, domestic
manufacturers have been relying on export
markets. At Co.me.t the domestic market
accounted for 60% of sales before the crisis.
That figure has now reduced to 30%. “We were
looking to export more anyway, but the crises
made that faster.”
At CTE, its export market has increased to
80% over the last five years, with the largest
buyer being Europe. “We are well placed
thanks to our branches in France and in
Barin’s new
73 m truck
mount on
display at the
GIS show.
Socage’s articulated DA325
boom on show in Italy.
England.We are also active in Eastern Europe
thanks to an efficient dealer network. But our
internationalisation has advanced to other
countries, like the Far and Middle East and
South America,” explains Mr Cipriani.
Vincenzo Andressa, Alimak Hec’s managing
director for Italy, and president for IPAF Italy,
agrees the construction market has completely
stopped, and outlines three reasons why the
market is so tough, particularly for his type of
product.
“Number one: we do not have new
infrastructure and building in public or
private, including residential. Number two:
refurbishment has also stopped and, number
three: we have a big problem with the
government.
“All companies have a bad cash situation,
so the volume of sales has stopped. If there is
anything left then it is rental, but even this is
very small. And if you do rent something, then
the questions is, ‘will you get the money for it?’
So, many companies are in administration or
liquidation.
“If you do have a chance to sell then you
have to be very careful. Better not to sell, than
sell and not get any money.”
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