Assomac president issues rallying call
03/07/2009
Italy's Association of Manufacturers of Footwear, Leathergoods and Tanning Machines (Assomac) held its annual general assembly meeting on the last Friday in June at its headquarters in Vigevano.
Giulio Tandura, at the end of his second year as president of the association, was reconfirmed for a further two years in the role, putting him in charge of the delicate task of guiding the association through the hoped-for upswing in the economy.
Mr Tandura said worries about technology in the leather industry are the inevitable consequence of the difficulties client companies are experiencing in world markets. And while 2008 saw an 11% drop in the technology sector, the first quarter of 2009 brought a drastic plunge of almost 45% in exports.
After mentioning the difficulties currently being experienced by Simac and Tanning Tech, the main international trade fairs on technology in the leather industry, Mr Tandura handed over to Antonietta Corsico, who read a report from the association's Beijing advisor, Patrizia Galli.
Sergio Stella, the head of Assomac’s technology department, then brought members up to date on technology issues, followed by Mario Pucci from the marketing department who detailed Assomac’s promotional ventures worldwide.
Mr Tandura then went on to sum up the meeting, outlining four priorities.
He said member companies had to find ways of restructuring costs, including the numbers of people they employ. He also pointed out that the current situation of supply levels outstripping demand for tanning technology meant companies were possibly open to acquisition. For Mr Tandura, if downsizing of the sector is left to market forces the consequences could be "truly awful".
He insisted this was no exaggeration and said member companies should strive to regain control of their own destinies.
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