ASSOMAC, the national association of shoe, leather products and tanning technologies manufacturers based in Italy, held the “Designing the production of the future together” meeting. At the Assomac family member meeting, “Sustainability” and “Innovation” were emphasized among the important main topics of the sector.
“Designing the production of the future together.” The themed meeting was held in the iconic columned hall of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, Italy. Technologies for new supply chains were also brought to the agenda at the 2023 General Assembly. “Co-designing the production of the future means doing our part in supply chains in an even more collaborative way and proposing advanced integrations into production processes. For us at Assomac, the importance of joint planning can no longer be postponed,” said Assomac President Maria Vittoria Brustia.
The main aspects of change that the sector faces with particular concern are: staff training due to the general manpower shortage and therefore the need to invest in training; Intensifying demands for investment in sustainability; The increasing need to invest in advanced technologies was emphasized.
In the speech of Flavio Sciuccati, Senior Partner of The European House – Ambrosetti, “The coexistence of excellence in fashion and luxury in leather in the Italian system, in the production mechanics and craftsmanship systems, is unique and a power on a global level! “Based on this assumption, we can build our international narrative and our strategic role for the future,” he said.
It was emphasized that the main reasons for the shortage of qualified personnel in the sector when transitioning from the artisanal system to the technological industry certainly include the lack of available resources to engage in the sector and the lack of adequate preparation, which can be addressed by a solution through forms of communication for young people, special courses and greater harmonization of the supply chain and the creation of incentives for job opportunities.
Chiara Mastrotto, president of Gruppo Mastrotto, one of the important companies in the tanning industry based in Italy, put “leather traceability investments supply chain theme from a sustainability perspective” on her agenda.
Taking advantage of the different perspectives of the speakers invited to the meeting and the sectors they belong to, they had the opportunity to discuss a number of topics, starting from the theme of technology and production, to the focal theme of the supply chain, sustainability and finally the basic issue of sustainability.
