Exports and production in 2012 will come close to record set in 2007 / Non-EU Europe sees highest gains, led by Russia

Major shift from west to east takes China to top position / Fragmented industry producing cheap and simple machines / Imports can cost up to 30 times more than domestic output / Germany and Japan are leading exporters / STM Stieler research

Global exports to Russia rise by almost 50% year-on-year in 2011 / Germany is top machinery supplier

Exports to Gulf countries increase to EUR 101m in 2011 / Saudi Arabia accounts for 55% of sales

Italy's imports and exports rise in H1 / Imports growth constrained by weak economy / Assocomaplast report

Italian exports and imports continue to grow in first quarter of 2012 / Germany remains largest overseas market / Assocomaplast report

Sector posts core machinery production record in 2011 / Asia is leading export destination / Domestic market strong / 2012 expected to see slight decline / Renewed growth in 2013

Manufacturers reap order bonanza in China / Germany and Japan are the largest exporters

Germany's VDMA association reports record plastics machinery exports in 2011 / Asia sees largest gains

Plastics and rubber machinery production levels up 11% year-on-year / Exports rise by almost 21% / Europe is the leading destination / Exports to Russia rise by more than 60%

New sales record as exports boost production / Increase in numbers employed by manufacturers

Global demand forecast to reach USD 28.9 bn in 2015 / Burgeoning construction market to boost growth / Injection moulding remains largest segment / Freedonia report

Exports increase in plastics and rubber processing machinery / Germany remains largest market / Far East sales to increase by 30% / Credit insurance problem for exporters / Assocomaplast forecasts

Manufacturers' association lifts 2011 forecast again / Economy expected to cool again in 2012

Return to growth in 2010 / International market to continue to expand over the next four years / Interconnection study