Ready for the challenge. Italy’s leather segment met today in Florence for the second edition of Stati Generali della Pelletteria by Assopellettieri, a general assembly that focused on uniting the main players of the leather chain and calling them to join forces. “Guardiamo al futuro, insieme faremo la differenza!” (Looking to the future, we will make a difference together!), is the title chosen to showcase the desire to recover and make way onto the market via a shared strategic plan that puts networking at the center. The motto, not by chance, is #unitiperlapelle (#joinedtogether).
#unitiperlapelle
“We finally have a reactive government. We must take the opportunities we have. But the association is made by its associates – says Franco Gabbrielli, president of Assopellettieri -. We need to share the issues present to resolve them together. That’s the only way to have a chance”. Opportunities for Italy’s leather segment are real, as are the issues: “We know – adds Mr. Gabbrielli – that small and medium businesses are those suffering the most, along with companies that have an own brand. We can’t make it alone”.
Digital push
Assopellettieri launched three platforms: one dedicated to B2B business, one for B2C and Mipel Lab. The latter is defined as “a revolution for leather goods’ sourcing” and is acts as a virtual shopwindow for manufacturing companies and brands. In other words, a tool for the chain that matched supply and demand. Mipel Lab isn’t just be a digital project. It was presented at Pitti Uomo on Wednesday, June 30 and will have a physical edition every year. The first will take place at the same time and in partnership with Lineapelle, with which it will share the space in Fieramilano Rho, in September 22 – 24.
Surviving or collapsing
“Investing in digital in 2021 and 2022 isn’t an option, but rather a choice between surviving or collapsing – says Manlio Di Stefano, undersecretary of MAECI (Ministero degli affari esteri e della cooperazione internazionale) or ministry of foreign commerce and international cooperation -. The government has made vouchers for digitalization and incentives for consultancies for digital export available to organizations”.
5 drivers for development
“We learned a valuable lesson of change management from the pandemic – commented Danny D’Alessandro, general director of Assopellettieri -. We can change the way we do business”. The association has developed a strategic industrial plan based on 5 assets for growth: tradeshows, digitalization, internationalization, training and services.
Mipel 2021
“We try to give access to services that organizations would otherwise not have the chance to enjoy. It means meeting the world – explains D’Alessandro -. The September edition will be toned down, compared to the usual rhythm, but we are focusing our efforts on incoming actions”.
50 million for Made-in-Italy
Mr. Di Stefano announced an important initiative for Made-in-Italy. “We are ready to begin, in Fall, with the largest communication campaign ever launched by the government. A contract has been launched to promote the Made-in-Italy brand for a value of 50 million euro”.
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