Amid the complex scenario, Italy's footwear industry outlines a new strategy
In the latest members' assembly of the Italian Footwear Manufacturers Association -ASSOCALZATURIFI- held in early March 2024, there was a vote for the continuity of Giovanna Ceolini as president of the entity until 2027.
The leader thanked the trust placed by the members, anticipating that "we face a challenging task, where we must respond to a complex scenario, within a geopolitical framework dominated by uncertainty, with initiatives and projects that support our businesses in international markets. Today more than ever, it is important to put the interests of the sector and therefore our Association back at the center. It is necessary to return to dialogue and frank and constructive debate."
Ceolini highlighted the most important aspects to deepen her program, mentioning internationalization to continue promoting the "Made in Italy" worldwide. She advocated for consolidating existing markets and seeking new opportunities in emerging ones, as well as facilitating collaboration with leading technical institutes and professional schools to promote generational turnover. Among other objectives, she pointed out the valorization of contracting companies, better known as CDMOs (contracts for the organization of shoe development and manufacturing), where Italian traditional craftsmanship must be defended.
In terms of trade fair policy, she referred to greater support for MICAM MILANO, the world's largest event in the sector. Among the projects are the reorganization of the pavilions, the strengthening of the MICAM X area, with special attention to seminar content, the section dedicated to future retail, communication, and events.
She requested the consolidation of the CIMAC laboratory specialized in tests for the footwear and fashion industry, which guarantees the quality and excellence of the product and compliance with global standards.
She urged collaboration with companies in an increasingly complex regulatory framework through testing and certification services. The development of VCS (Verified and Certified Steps) is the first sustainability certification mark for the footwear sector. A scheme that sensitizes companies to adopt a comprehensive sustainability strategy by working on internal processes, supply chain traceability, collection, and organization of information with a system of improvement procedures and advancement to the most widespread international parameters and standards in sustainability matters.
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