Assomac, the Italian association of manufacturers of machinery for shoes, leathergoods and leather producers, have elected Giovanni Gaia as the new president. Gaia is chairman of Atom SpA, a footwear machinery business established by his father Lorenzo in 1946. He replaces Giuseppe Barrera who has held the position for the past four years. Assomac are the organisers of the Tanning Tech and Simac exhibitions held in Bologna.

The meeting was held in Vigevano (Gaia’s home town), on June 27 when a new board of directors was elected which included Giacomo Vallero (tanning machinery) and Alberto Paccagnella (leathergoods machinery) as vice presidents.

Assomac’s full-time director, Amilcare Baccini, was also presented with a silver plaque at the meeting in recognition of his 20 years service to the association.