PRESS RELEASES

Press release
March 26th 2009

PHARMINTECH OBSERVATORY:
THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY SHOWS PERFECT HEALTH
The results show stability compared to 2008 for the industry of technology, materials and services for the processing and packaging of pharmaceuticals and related products.

Milan, March 26th 2009 - There is great news in the processing of figures concerning the Italian domestic industry. The Pharmintech Observatory carried out a market survey on the expectations of the industries related to Pharmintech, the international exhibition organized by Ipack-Ima Spa showcasing technology, materials and services for the processing and packaging of pharmaceutical, personal care and nutraceutical products.
The statistical data is generally processed by each individual industry (as for example the chemical, pharmaceutical or car industry) or on a regional or industrial district basis, but never by the companies making up the supply chain. The survey by the Pharmintech Observatory was carried out with the latter method.

"Pharmintech involves a key industrial segment - remarks Ipack-Ima Spa CEO Guido Corbella - first of all through the exhibition itself and through synergic collective marketing actions. In addition, there is a research and analysis project which began two years ago with the Pharmintech Observatory. The pharmaceutical-related industry represents an excellent example of the application of our policy to support production segments: Pharmintech is undertaking an increasingly specific role as a strategic partner serving a business community with a marked international character". The companies working on the phases before pharmaceutical production - which make up Pharmintech’s target - in Italy have a total turnover of 11 billion euros and employ 61,000 people.

After a first analysis, the data processing by the Observatory shows that the industries related to Pharmintech are less affected by the economic crisis compared to other segments due to their international reach: stable employment levels, good exports and the retention of trust in future growth which other industries lack.

More in detail, the survey carried out on the estimates of the results of the second semester of 2008 and the first semester of 2009 allow for cautious optimism. The survey shows there is no dramatic decrease in the confidence for future growth which other industrial segments are beginning to display.
The estimates of the second semester 2008 show that 6 companies out of 10 (61% of the sample) report stable or increasing turnover compared to the first 6 months of 2008, while only 39% report a decrease in proceeds. If we only consider exports, the results are definitely positive: in the second semester of 2008 exports are reported as increasing by 40% of sampled companies, while only 16% report a decrease. This data allow for cautious hope especially considering that the stability in turnover and exports is due to the positive performance of the Italian industry in 2008.
Even more comforting is the employment figure, which is a key indicator of stability. Only 3% of companies report a decrease for the second half of 2008, while 14% have employed new staff.

Estimates are positive also for the first semester or 2009: 70% of companies expect their turnover to grow or remain stable. Employment also enjoys relative stability with a substantial balance between companies expecting a decrease in staff (15%) and those willing to hire (12%). As for exports, expectations are even more encouraging: only 15% of companies foresee a drop, while 24% expect an increase and in 61% of cases foreign demand will remain stable.

The first figures for 2009 have been developed by the Observatory, led by Giampaolo Vitali, a CNR researcher and secretary of the Industrial Economists’ Association, based on a sample of 61 companies employing a total of 7,300 people with a turnover of 1,600 million euros. The majority of the companies sampled are small to large size and supply machinery, materials and services to the pharmaceutical industry. The sample companies also has a tight economic bond with the pharmaceutical industry: nearly 30% sell over 80% of production to pharmaceutical companies.

Sponsor: