The data processed by Edilegno, the Federlegno-Arredo association that gathers the manufacturers of products for wood constructions, show that the industry is growing: 2006 recorded a substantial acceleration of growth rates over 2005. This trend was supported by all indexes and, in detail, by the increasing number of companies (almost 33mila) and employees in the industry, close to 99 thousand in 2006. A significant increase was also recorded in industry production turnover, up by 3 percent as compared to 2005, reaching the value of over 8 billion Euros. Domestic market, once again representing the highest share of turnover for Italian companies, grew by 3.3 percent, but a positive contribution to growth also came from export which, though still limited (412 million Euros), went up by 18.5 percent versus the previous year.
The Edilegno activity in 2006 and early 2007 mainly involved the technical and standardization area, as well as relationships with institutions and ministries, aimed at increasing the use of wood in constructions and improving the safety of living environments.
A further step forward was the introduction of possible tax facilitations for the energy requalification of existing buildings, as planned in the financial law of the Italian government for 2007. With this regulation, some works aimed at energy saving can benefit from a 55 percent deduction to be split over three years. This is a major achievement for the industry, which has included environmental sustainability and energy saving among its vital issues.
Lobbying activities in the relevant ministries are aimed at promoting the strategic role of wood for environmental safeguard, its environmental compatibility, its function as natural carbon dioxide reservoir.
As to the issue of living safety, Edilegno, together with the newly borngroup Porte d’Ingresso, is exerting direct pressure on public institutions and ministries to promote the protection against theft and robbery, so that the entrance door is recognized as a more and more important and useful element in the construction industry.
In addition, positive results are being achieved through Edilegno’s activity within Ance, the Italian association of building companies. Possible joint initiatives in the construction industries include the creation of a data bank of products, construction systems and reference standards. Edilegno and Ance also organize meetings for building companies, engineers and designers.
Growth in the wood
construction industry
ultima modifica: 2007-10-31T00:00:00+00:00
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