Taiwan's Machine Tool Exports Surged 22.6% in First Eight Months

Taipei, Nov. 2, 2005 (CENS)--Taiwan's exports of machine tools amounted to US$1.732 billion in the first eight months of this year, representing an annual increase of 22.6%, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

Of the total exports, metal-cutting machine tools accounted for US$1.297 billion, up 24% annually; and metal-forming models commanded US$434.49 million, up 20%.

Among metal-cutting models, machining centers saw exports grow 32% year-on-year in the first eight months, lathes 33% electric discharge machines 22%, sawing machines 37%, with the other items growing at a small pace. Of the metal-forming machine-tool category, presses and shearing machines posted an annual export growth of 16%, with the remainder growing 36%.

In terms of export outlets for Taiwan-made machine tools, mainland China and Hong Kong together ranked first by absorbing US$703.59 million worth of the products in the first eight months of this year, up 7% annually and accounting for a whopping 40.6% of the total exports. The U.S. took the second place with US$167.27 million, up 52% and commanding 9.7%. The third place went to Turkey with US$95.07 million, up 9% and accounting for 5.5%.

Other major export outlets, in descending orders, were Thailand, South Korea, Holland, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Brazil, and Canada.

The TMTF statistics also showed Taiwan imported US$1.075 billion worth of machine tools in the first eight months of this year, down 13% from the corresponding period of last year. Imports of metal-cutting machine tools amounted to US$989.35 million, down 15% year-on-year and those of metal-forming models came to US$86.3 million, up 18%.

Among major imported machine tools, non-conventional machine tools saw an annual drop in imports for the first eight months of this year, machining centers down 26%, lathes up 7%, boring and milling machines up 20%, and grinding machines up 72%. TMTF CEO Wang Cheng-ching attributed the decline in the imports to the shrinking demand by the high-tech industry.

In terms of major import sources, Japan took the lead with sales of US$608.79 million worth of machine tools to Taiwan in the first eight months of this year, down 0.3% annually and accounting for 56.6% of the island's total imports. The U.S. took the second place with US$271.65 million, down 41% and commanding 25.3%. Germany ranked third with US$58.83 million, down 2% and accounting for 5.5%.

Exports of Taiwan-Made Machine Tools, Jan.-Aug. 2005 Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Aug. 2004	Jan.-Aug. 2005	Annual Change
EDM, Laser-Cutting Machines	76,046	93,116	22.4%
Machining Centers	382,801	503,869	31.6%
Lathes	246,209	327,694	33.1%
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	189,794	178,228	-6.1%
Grinding Machines	87,744	101,910	16.1%
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	67,642	92,971	37.4%
Presses & Shearing Machines	291,201	337,261	15.8%
Other Metal-Forming Machine Tools	71,665	97,238	35.7%
Total	1,413,102	1,732,287	22.6%
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

Taiwan Imports of Machine Tools, Jan.-Aug. 2005 Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Aug. 2004	Jan.-Aug. 2005	Annual Change
EDM, Laser-Cutting Machines	980,672	769,609	-21.5%
Machining Centers	36,469	26,849	-26.4%
Lathes	44,986	48,055	6.8%
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	25,718	30,765	19.6%
Grinding Machines	49,191	84,687	72.2%
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	26,245	29,388	12%
Presses & Shearing Machines	58,456	68,078	16.5%
Other Metal-Forming Machines	14,800	18,224	23.1%
Total	1,236,537	1,075,655	-13%
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation