New display structure for SIMAC

The leather, footwear and leathergoods sector in Italy are undergoing a difficult period. Production is at risk and globalized competition continues to become more and more severe. But it also means that the excellent entrepreneurial school that the Italian sector has been able to create regarding footwear and leathergoods technology is present more than ever and continues to be the protagonist. So, Simac in Bologna, April 26-29, is still an important show alongside Lineapelle. The number of exhibitors for the coming edition is about the same as it was in the last edition. In all, there are 335 exhibitors. However, the amount of occupied space has been reduced, which is explained by the legitimate attention that the exhibitors have given to the costs of the respective companies that are now deeply engaged in defining their role and business strategies. Simac 2005's big innovation is its exhibit area layout. As was the case with Tanning-Tech 2004, Simac will also occupy Pavilions 31 and 32, which were left free by Lineapelle. This the prefabricated pavilion is no longer necessary making the visitor's path through the five pavilions (31, 32, 33, 34 and 35) more organic. The organization itself has not given up on the fundamental presence of official delegations, which are coordinated by the Foreign Trade Institute, that come from China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Peru, Russia and Vietnam. A private delegation, organized by the ICE offices of Delhi and Chennai, is also expected from India. In a market upset by radical changes, the operators are also called upon to change their way of presenting themselves. From an idea by Alberto Paccagnella and Maurizio Del Vecchia, shared by other operators in the sector, comes the 'Synergy For Leathergoods' project. The title is in English for the sake of more immediate communication, but the idea is completely Italian. The idea is simply not to propose individual machines to the leathergoods manufacturers visiting Simac but to propose the process, materials, and the modern concepts of product industrialization. In brief, the object is to provide know-how with a face. "Synergy For Leathergoods" is a space-laboratory covering 500 square meters in Pavilion 34 in which five constructors of leathergoods technology - Alberti Camoga, Comelz Del Vecchio and Omac - will realize what should be an ideal leathergoods-manufacturing structure. This laboratory will be operative. In fact, during the four days of the fair - from Tuesday to Friday - three leathergoods companies will take turns at making handbags and other small leathergoods that will be given as gifts to the visitors. The leathergoods companies are among the sector's most prestigious companies and include Bianchi & Nardi, Lotti Gianfranco and Sapaf. As can be imagined, the leathergoods world is enthusiastic about the idea. Furthermore, the idea received the patronage of the Italian 100% Consortium, while other companies in the tanning and accessories sector - including Accessori Olbi, Conceria Arnella e Nuti, Fenice, Gutterman, and Mastice N Codimo - will supply the required materials. So, 'Synergy For Leathergoods' offers one more reason for visiting Simac.