ASSOCALZATURIFICI holds annual meeting

Assocalzaturifici held its Annual Meeting the past few days in Bologna.

At the meeting, Chair Siro Badon emphasised the impact of Covid-19 on the footwear industry, one of the hardest-hit sectors of production, along with other components of the Italian Textiles, Fashion and Accessories sector.

In 2020 the sector lost about 1/4 of its total turnover (with the final balance being 10.72 billion euro, -25.2% compared to 2019) and national production. There were sharp reductions in both foreign trade and domestic consumption. After the collapse in levels of business during the first part of the year, as a result of the lockdown, there was just some respite in the severity of the decline in the next two quarters (although this still remained in double-digit territory), as opposed to a V-shaped recovery.
At this time of crisis, Assocalzaturifici has come up with plenty of challenging new projects for its members.

“Sustainability is definitely one of our top priorities,” explains Badon. “We have come up with a project supporting our members and other companies in the process of accreditation and commercial positioning of their businesses as sustainable and therefore highly competitive companies on Italian and international markets”. Assocalzaturifici has registered its own Sustainability trademark (VCS – Verified & Certified Steps), which may be granted to companies capable of achieving a quality standard based on certain requirements. The project will begin with a self-assessment which companies can conduct independently; we will then have reference benchmarks that tell us what the minimum criteria are to be considered a sustainable enterprise. Companies ranking above the bar will then be eligible for certification by the institute we appoint. Companies that do not meet the minimum requirements will be able to rely on the professional assistance of CIMAC, the Assocalzaturifici laboratory that has been conducting testing and certification to guarantee the quality and safety of fashion products for more than 30 years. CIMAC can help businesses begin, continue or improve internal processes aimed at meeting the requirements for sustainability certification.

Another important agreement was signed with one of the world’s most prominent startup accelerators: Startup Boot Camp Fashion Tech. As Badon explains, “With them, the Association will be able to count on an international organisation that helps us select, incubate and accelerate two start-ups a year which technologically promote and facilitate sustainability in our own specific industry and help MICAM through the long process of digitalisation”.

In addition, the Association looks toward the future with three innovative projects for Assocalzaturifici’s 550 or more member companies: one for creating a digital match between global demand for Italian know-how and industries and artisans capable of offering the immense added value of this unique know-how; one for building a true marketplace for consumers open to companies ideally representing the excellence of Italian manufacturing; and one using blockchain technology to ensure product traceability, on which the Association is working with a leading Italian consortium that has already completed a number of projects for the luxury sector.

Last, but by no means least in importance, is the study commissioned of Università Ca Foscari in Venice in partnership with M&C Saatchi. “Recognition of the prestigious label ‘Made in Italy’ is of critical importance for our economy,” notes Badon.