Welcome address

Dear organizers and participants at the Metalloobrabotka-Technoforum 2009,

Thank you for inviting me at the Metalloobrabotka-Technoforum 2009. It is. a great privilege anc pleasure for me.

Founded in 1950, CECIMO - European Committee for the cooperation of the Machine Tools sector, represents and promotes the interests of the machine tools builders in Europe.

The European Machine Tool industry (metal cutting and metal forming) is composed oi approximately 1.500 companies (80% are SMEs), employing 160,000 people. As a supplier of technologies to all manufacturing industries, the machine tool sector plays a major role in all industrialized countries but certainly also in Russia.

The European Machine Tool manufacturers have a leading (44-46%) global market share in the production of machine tools, well ahead of Japan (18%) and China (15%). The European countries remain the first exporters of machine tools.

In order to keep a leading position we need the right business environment to market the most competitive manufacturing solutions worldwide. We need adequate legislation, skilled workforces, innovation, proper financing, good supply chains and infrastructures to name a few. Therefore the European machine tool sector has decided to create CECIMO in 1950 to represent and promote their interests. 50 years later, CECIMO still focus on how to boost the European machine tool industries' competitiveness in facing the challenges of globalisation, the fight against climate change / environmental protection, the importance of market surveillance/enforcement, the specific needs of SME's and the lack of skilled labour force. CECiMO does encourage a research and innovation strategy driven by the present and future needs of the market. One of CECIMO's missions is also to foster innovation and integration of new technologies through the involvement of industrial enterprises in national and European programmes.

Although 2008 ended in a way that very few expected, CECIMO production grew by 8% in 2008 reaching a new historic record at 24,6 billion ? representing 44% of the world production. The impact of the current economic turbulences on our activities will be stronger in 2009, and we still! do not know to which extent and for how long the European Machine Tool sector will be affected. However, we remain confident and even if the current crisis has little to see with past downturns, crises have always obliged us to become flexible, stronger and more competitive.

Therefore, CECIMO will focus on the most dynamic markets with more innovative, precise and energy efficient products and solutions in order to cope with the current downturn.

CECIMO has also developed over the years a partnership with Association Stankoinstrument. We have indeed common interests, and we must work closely together for instance in the areas of research, Innovation, trade and employment.

CECIMO also plays a major role on the international market by organizing the EMO exhibition ("Exposition de la Machine-Outil") since 1951. EMO® Milano 2009 will take place from 5-10 October 2009.

Let me wish you all a successful Metalloobrabotka-Techrraforum 2009 and look forward to welcome you at EMO Milan 2009.

Filip Geerts Secretary-General