Export of Taiwan-made Machine Tools Grow 62.9% in First Eight Months

Taipei, Nov. 10, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan's machine-tool industry saw exports total US$1.84 billion in the first eight months, up 62.9% from a year earlier, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

The exports for metal-cutting machine tools totaled US$1.425 billion in the first eight months, jumping 67.2% year-on-year and that for metal-forming machine tools reached US$414.86 million, up 49.8%.

The exports of machining centers grew 86.1%, lathes advanced 31.1%, grinding machines were up 99.1% and drilling, boring and milling machines grew 76.8%.

The largest export outlet for Taiwan-made machine tools was China and Hong Kong, together absorbing US$881.74 million of the products in the first eight months, up 110.2% year-on-year for 47.9% of the total exports. The U.S. was second with US$91.11 million, down 1.8% for 4.9% of the total. India was third with US$76.43 million, up 122.7% and commanding 4.2%.

The TMTF's tallies also show Taiwan imported US$418.93 million of machine tools in the first eight months, up 97.6% year-on-year. The import of metal-cutting machine tools totaled US$332.72 million, up 97.5% and that for metal-forming machine tools came to US$86.21 million, up 97.6%.

The major imports included non-conventional machine tools, machining centers, lathes, drilling/boring/milling machines, and grinding machines.

Japan was the island's largest supplier by selling US$247.09 million of machine tools to Taiwan in the first eight months, up 155.4% year-on-year for 155.4% of the total imports. Germany was second with US$32.29 million, down 2.7% for 7.7%. Switzerland ranked third with US$25.43 million, up 6.1% and accounting for 113.4%.

TMTF chief executive C.C. Wang noted that Taiwan's machine-tool industry has recovered in the first half of this year and many manufacturers will be filling orders throughout the end of this year, as well as busy with confirming orders for shipments in the first quarter of next year.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machine Tools in Jan.-Aug. 2010 by Products Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Aug. 2009	Jan.-Aug. 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	48,008	86,868	80.9
Machining Centers	297,469	553,529	86.1
Lathes	263,230	345,120	31.1
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	130,624	230,922	76.8
Grinding Machines	54,039	107,582	99.1
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	59,637	101,946	70.9
Presses and Shearing Machines	220,239	321,136	45.8
Other Metal-forming Machines	56,643	93,733	65.5
Total	1,129,889	1,840,836	62.9
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

Imports of Machine Tools by Taiwan in Jan.-Aug. 2010 by Products Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Aug. 2009	Jan.-Aug. 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	56,634	158,009	179
Machining Centers	18,051	32,007	77.3
Lathes	23,480	60,248	156.6
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	13,002	22,274	71.3
Grinding Machines	40,275	35,223	-12.5
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	16,988	24,962	46.9
Presses and Shearing Machines	37,004	78,025	110.9
Other Metal-forming Machines	6,621	8,189	23.7
Total	212,055	418,937	97.6
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation