Taiwan's Machine-tool Exports Down 56.5% in 1st 10 Months of 2009

Taipei, Jan. 12, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan exported US$1.405 billion of machine tools in the first 10 months of 2009, down 56.5% from a year earlier, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

Metal-cutting machine tools amounted to US$1.07 billion, down 58.4% and that for metal-forming machine tools reached US$334.99 million, down 49%.

Exports of machining centers was down 64.8%, lathes (down 55.7%), grinding machines (down 58.3%), drilling, boring and milling machines (down 48.3%), presses and shearing machines (down 51.1%), other metal-forming machines (down 40.5%).

China and Hong Kong together was the largest export destination by absorbing US$526.2 million of Taiwan-made machine tools in the first 10 months of 2009, down 45.5% year-on-year and accounting for 37.4% of the total exports. The second place went to the U.S. with US$107.86 million, down 62.2% and commanding 7.7%. Germany stood at the third place with US$64.64 million, down 65.7% and accounting for 4.6%.

Other major export outlets, in descending order, were Thailand, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Japan and France.

The TMTF's tallies also showed Taiwan imported US$277.11 million of machine tools in the first 10 months of 2009, down 80.2% year-on-year. Metal-cutting machine tools amounted to US$222.42 million, down 83.1% and that for metal-forming machine tools reached US$54.69 million, down 34.8%.

Japan was the largest supplier by selling US$132.35 million of machine tools to Taiwan in the first 10 months of 2009, down 84.5% year-on-year and accounting for 47.8% of the total imports. Germany stood at the second place with US$40.2 million, down 48.9% and commanding 14.5%. The third place went to China and Hong Kong together with US$19.53 million, down 43.5% and accounting for 7%.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machine Tools (Jan.-Oct. 2009) Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Oct. 2008	Jan.-Oct. 2009	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	137,326	60,027	-56.3
Machining Centers	1,054,385	1,054,385	-64.8
Lathes	735,590	735,590	-55.7
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	317,833	317,833	-48.3
Grinding Machines	166,646	166,646	-58.3
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	162,236	162,236	-51.1
Presses and Shearing Machines	528,229	528,229	-51.1
Other Metal-forming Machines	128,714	128,714	-40.5
Total	3,230,959	3,230,959	-56.5
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

Imports of Machine Tools into Taiwan (Jan.-Oct. 2009) Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Oct. 2008	Jan.-Oct. 2009	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	1,046,064	80,374	-92.3
Machining Centers	46,108	21,469	-53.4
Lathes	71,674	31,555	-56
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	37,064	15,184	-59
Grinding Machines	83,014	48,031	-42.1
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	32,746	25,807	-21.2
Presses and Shearing Machines	74,503	46,658	-37.4
Other Metal-forming Machines	9,389	8,036	-14.4
Total	1,400,562	277,114	-80.2
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation