Taiwan's Machine Tool Exports Soared 21.4% in First 9 Months

Taipei, Nov. 29, 2005 (CENS)--Exports of Taiwan-made machine tools amounted to US$1.946 billion in the first nine months of this year, up 21.4% from the corresponding period of last year, according to customs statistics compiled by the Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation (TMTF).

Of the total exports, metal-cutting machine tools accounted for US$1.457 billion, up 22% annually, and metal-forming models commanded US$488.91 million, for an year-on-year growth of 20%.

Of metal-cutting machine tools, machining centers posted an annual export growth of 30% in the first three quarters of the year, lathes 31%, electric discharge machines 20%, and sawing machines 34%, with other cutting tools growing at a slower pace. In the category of metal-forming machine tools, the annual sales growth for presses and shearing machines was 16%, with other forming tools advancing 35%.

In terms of major export outlets for Taiwan's machine tools, Hong Kong and mainland China together ranked first by swallowing up US$784.6 million worth of the tools in the first nine months of this year, up 6% year-on-year and accounting for 40.3% of the total exports. The U.S. came second with US$187.71 million, up 46% annually and accounting for 9.6%. Turkey was the third-largest export outlet with US$105.61 million, up 11% and accounting for 5.4%.

Other major export outlets, in descending order, were Thailand, South Korea, Holland, Malaysia, the U.K., Italy, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Brazil, and Canada.

The TMTF tallies also showed Taiwan imported US$1.21 billion worth of machine tools in the first three quarters of this year, down 12.6% from the same period of last year. Of the total imports, the category of metal-cutting machine tools accounted for US$1.114 billion, down 15% annually, and metal-forming tools commanded US$95.87 million, up 22%.

TMTF CEO Wang Cheng-ching attributed the decline in imports to slackening demand by Taiwan's hi-tech industry. Imports of non-conventional machine tools encountered an annual decline of 21%; machining centers were down 21%; lathes were up 7%, boring and milling machines were up 8%; grinding machines were up 68%; presses and shearing machines were up 15%, and other kinds of metal-forming machines were up 54%.

In terms of major import sources, Japan ranked first by supplying US$691.15 million worth of machine tools to Taiwan in the first three quarters of this year, down 1% year-on-year and accounting for 57.1% of the total imports. The U.S. took second place with US$307.34 million, down 38% and accounting for 25.4%. Germany was the third-largest import source with US$61.24 million, down 8% and accounting for 5.1%.

Taiwan Machine Tool Exports, Jan.-Sept. 2005 Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Sept. 2004	Jan.-Sept. 2005	Annual Change
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	86,125	103,315	20%
Machining Centers	436,860	566,948	30%
Lathes	281,010	368,116	31%
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	213,356	201,955	-5%
Grinding Machines	99,759	113,053	13%
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	77,264	103,743	34%
Presses & Shearing Machines	328,151	380,227	16%
Other Metal-forming Machines	80,604	108,691	35%
Total	1,603,129	1,946,048	21%
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation

　

Taiwan Machine Tool Imports, Jan.-Sept. 2005 Unit: US$1,000
Products	Jan.-Sept. 2004	Jan.-Sept. 2005	Annual Change
EDM, Laser-cutting Machines	1,104,185	875,967	-21%
Machining Centers	39,440	31,135	-21%
Lathes	50,142	53,687	7%
Drilling, Boring, Milling Machines	30,603	33,199	8%
Grinding Machines	53,886	90,509	68%
Shaping, Sawing, Gearing Machines	27,698	30,137	9%
Presses & Shearing Machines	63,237	72,425	15%
Other Metal-forming Machines	15,207	23,445	54%
Total	1,384,398	1,210,504	-13%
Source: Taiwan Machine Tool Foundation