Taiwan Machine-tool Industry's Exports Grow 10.8% in First Two Months

Taipei, May 10, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan exported US$311.6 billion of machine tools in the first two months of 2010, for a 10.8% year-on-year growth, according to customs-cleared statistics conducted by the non-profit Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

Exports of metal-cutting machine tools amounted to US$241.72 million, up 13.6% year-on-year and that for metal-forming machine tools came to US$69.87 million, up 2.3%.

Exports of machining centers reached US$71.874 million in the first two months of 2010, up 28% year-on-year; lathes (US$73.934, down 18.4%); and grinding machines (US$11.24 million, up 81.9%). (See table below)

China was the island's largest export outlet by absorbing US$122.79 million of the products in the first two months of 2010, up 71.8% year-on-year and accounting for 39.4% of the total exports. The U.S. was second at US$17.5 million, down 42.8% and commanding 5.6%. Thailand was third at US$15.38 million, up 36.1% and accounting for 4.9%.

Other major export outlets, in descending order, were Brazil, India, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Japan and Australia.

The TMTF's tallies also showed Taiwan imported US$76.83 million of machine tools in the first two months of 2010, up 44.5% year-on-year. Exports of metal-cutting machine tools amounted to US$67.67 million, up 65.1% and that for metal-forming machine tools came to US$9.16 million, down 24.7%.

Japan was the island's largest supplier by selling US$47.54 million of machine tools in the first two months of 2010, up 133% year-on-year and accounting for 61.9% of the total imports. The U.S. was second at US$5.55 million, down 3% and commanding 7.2%. Germany was third at US$4.56 million, down 54.7% and commanding 5.9%.

TMTF CEO C.C. Wang noted domestic machine-tool industry has recovered in the first quarter of this year, with many manufacturers receiving orders for shipments in the third quarter.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machine Tools in Jan.-Feb. 2010 by Products Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Feb. 2009	Jan.-Feb. 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	8,011	16,433	105.1
Machining Centers	71,874	92,015	28
Lathes	73,934	60,311	-18.4
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	29,985	32,102	7.1
Grinding Machines	11,240	20,445	81.9
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	17,743	20,420	15.1
Presses and Shearing Machines	54,584	50,216	-8
Other Metal-forming Machines	13,749	19,659	43
Total	281,120	311,601	10.8
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

Imports of Machine Tools into Taiwan in Jan.-Feb. 2010 by Products Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Feb. 2009	Jan.-Feb. 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	15,112	35,726	136.4
Machining Centers	6,083	4,224	-30.6
Lathes	4,812	8,258	71.6
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	2,916	6,067	108.1
Grinding Machines	9,032	5,669	-37.2
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	3,036	7,730	154.6
Presses and Shearing Machines	9,489	8,203	-13.6
Other Metal-forming Machines	2,685	959	-64.3
Total	53,165	76,836	44.5
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation