TMTF: Taiwan Machine-tool Sector's Exports Grow 46% in First Six Months

Taipei, Sept. 14, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan exported US$1.27 billion of machine tools in the first six months, up 46% from a year earlier, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

The exports of metal-cutting machine tools totaled US$972.74 million, up 47.2% year-on-year in the first six months and that for metal-forming machine tools reached US$297.55 million, for an annualized growth of 42.3%.

The exports of machining centers grew 64.5% in the first six months, lathes, 12.8%; grinding machines, 77.6%; drilling, boring and milling machines, 51.8%; presses and shearing machines; 35.5%; and other metal-forming machine tools, 70.5%.

China and Hong Kong together was the largest export outlet by absorbing US$603.76 million of Taiwan-made machine tools in the first half, up 87.4% year-on-year for 47.5% of the total exports. The U.S. ranked second with US$57.29 million, down 26.6% and commanding 4.5%. The third place went to India with US$53.47 million, up 114% and accounting for 4.2%.

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

The TMTF's tallies also show Taiwan imported US$270.02 million of machine tools in the first half, up 70.8% from a year earlier. The import of metal-cutting machine tools totaled US$219.56 million, up 75.2% year-on-year and that of metal-forming machine tools came to US$50.45 million, up 53.9%.

Japan was the island's largest import supplier by selling US$159.08 million of machine tools to Taiwan in the first half, up 141% year-on-year for 58.9% of the total imports. The second place went to Germany with US$23.54 million, down 12% and commanding 8.7%. Switzerland stood at the third place with US$18.18 million, up 89.6% and accounting for 6.7%.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machine Tools (January-June 2010) Unit: US$1,000
Products	January-June 2009	January-June 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	33,875	59,977	77.1
Machining Centers	228,068	375,081	64.5
Lathes	209,217	236,003	12.8
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	102,829	156,125	51.8
Grinding Machines	39,992	71,026	77.6
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	46,770	74,529	59.4
Presses and Shearing Machines	168,938	228,987	35.5
Other Metal-forming Machines	40,226	68,567	70.5
Total	869,915	1,270,295	46
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

Imports of Machine Tools into Taiwan (January-June 2010) Unit: US$1,000
Products	January-June 2009	January-June 2010	Annual Change (%)
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	38,810	97,897	152.2
Machining Centers	14,333	23,490	63.9
Lathes	16,508	40,364	144.5
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	16,894	16,894	72.4
Grinding Machines	9,802	21,649	-32.8
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	32,193	19,272	41.1
Presses and Shearing Machines	26,926	44,291	64.5
Other Metal-forming Machines	5,852	6,164	5.3
Total	158,081	270,021	70.8
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation