Exports of machining centers grew 51% annually in the first seven months

Taipei, Oct. 26, 2004 (CENS)—Taiwan exported 7,591 units of machining centers worth US$315.88 million, a record high, in the first seven months of this year, up 51% from a year earlier, according to statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

TMTF said the average price of the product reached US$41,600 during the Jan.-July period.

In terms of export outlets, Hong Kong/mainland China ranked first, absorbing 2,903 units worth US$115.91 million during the period, up 33% year-on-year and accounting for 36.7% of the total. The second place went to the U.S., which took up 875 units worth US$31.57 million, up 80% and representing a share of 10%. The third place was occupied by Turkey with 492 units worth US$23.57 million, up 63% and accounting for 7.5%.

Other major export outlets, in descending order, were the Netherlands with an annual growth of 67.2%, Malaysia (153%), Italy (21.6%), South Korea (278%), Thailand (72.7%), Britain (39.5%), Germany (-15.2%), Spain (60.5%), Singapore (80.4%), South Africa (24%), Indonesia (115%), and Canada (28.7%). The top-15 export outlets took 85% of the total exports.

TMTF noted machining center is the largest export item of domestically made machine tools. The foundation predicted Taiwan will export over 13,000 units of machining centers this year, making it the world's larger exporter of the product.