Exports of CNC lathes totaled US$121 million in first seven months

Taipei, Oct. 26, 2004 (CENS)—Taiwan exported 3,209 units of CNC (computerized numerically controlled) lathes worth US$121 million in the first seven months this year, up 52.2% from a year earlier, according statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

TMTF said the average export price of domestically made CNC lathes reached US$37,800 during the Jan.-July period.

In terms of export outlets, Hong Kong/mainland China ranked first, absorbing 1,024 units worth US$36.95 million during the period, up 43.4% from a year earlier and accounting for 30.4% of the total. Turkey stood at the second place, taking up 493 units worth US$21.4 million, up 143% and boasting a share of 17.6%. The third place went to the U.S., which imported 251 units worth US$9.44 million, up 39.2% and accounting for 7.8% of the total, from the island.

Germany stood at the fourth spot with US$6.18 million, followed by Thailand with US$5.75 million; South Africa, US$4.18 million; Britain, US$3.85 million; Malaysia, US$3.55 million; Italy, US$3.32 million; and the Netherlands, US$2.63 million. The top-10 export outlets accounted for 80% of the total exports.

TMTF said CNC lathe is the second largest export item, only behind machining center, of domestically made machine tools. The foundation predicted Taiwan will be the world's second largest exporter of the product, only behind Japan, selling 5,500 units of the product abroad this year.