Nov. 20 – The Association of Italian suppliers of machinery, accessories and special products for glass processing (GIMAV) and SACE, a group specialized in supporting Italian competitiveness abroad , have announced today the signing of a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening the international competitiveness of GIMAV’s member companies, providing more effective access to insurance and financial solutions to support export and internationalization. The total turnover of the companies associated with GIMAV amounted to more than €1.1 billion in 2013, which covers 80% of the industry total and 77% of total Italian manufacturers of machinery, accessories and special products for glass processing exports. Their machines place Italy among the top global players, with continued growth in overseas sales in the past few years (+4% in 2013). "This agreement with SACE – said the director of Gimav, Renata Gaffo – follows the direction outlined by the Association to ensure a wider range of services in support of member companies. We hope that the agreement provides further ease to grow our export, which already accounts for over 80% of Italian production in the sector." Simonetta Acri, director of Sace’s Rete Italia, commented "the Italian glass industry has great potential abroad: extra-EU markets will drive future demand for technologies and investment. They already account for 70% of our exports in the entire supply chain, in particular the emerging markets of Brazil, Mexico and China." (Red)

GIMAV

Gimav is an association that brings together Italian manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, accessories, equipment and special products for glass processing. Founded in 1980 by a small group of entrepreneurs, the Association is now a fundamental point of reference for the entire industry in Italy and abroad. Gimav is a Confindustria, Federvarie and Federmacchine member; since its inception, the Association has steadily increased its degree of representation, and now covers an important share of the industry.