“Italian Textile Machinery Production and Exports Grown 30 Percent in 2021”
ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi, whom we interviewed for the Italy Special issue of our Tekstil Teknoloji magazine said that, “However I remain hopeful and optimistic for 2022. Over the years the Italian textile machinery manufacturers have faced financial and economic crises but, over time, they have always recovered and resumed their activities with more enthusiasm.”
First of all, how was 2021 for Italian textile machinery manufacturers? Especially after the first quarter of the year, there was an increase in orders. Can you evaluate the year 2021 in numbers?
2021 was still conditioned by Covid-19 pandemic, but nevertheless represented, for most Italian textile machinery manufacturers, a year characterized by a great recovery. Indeed preliminary figures for 2021 show that Italian textile machinery production and exports will grow by about 30% compared to 2020. The value of Italian exports for the 2021 January-September period has already overtaken the pre-crisis value of 2019 same period. In addition, the order intake of Italian manufacturers for the first three quarters of 2021 marked a +95% compared to the same period in 2020.
The pandemic process has once again proven how important sustainability is. What are the latest innovations are coming up by Italian textile machinery manufacturers considering sustainability particularly chemical, water, environment and energy?
Italian manufacturers have long been committed to offering sustainable solutions to their customers. Their commitment is well testified by the ACIMIT Sustainable Technologies project, including more than 40 ACIMIT members companies. The saving of raw materials, water, chemicals in the textile sector is becoming more and more urgent and Italian technologies are at the forefront to enable customers to optimize their production processes in term of economical, environmental and social sustainability.
“ACIMIT Has Realised the ‘Digital Label’ Project in the Pandemic Process”
Have there been any specific initiatives by Italian companies to battle future crises?
The pandemic has accelerated the transformation in the textile supply chain. The digitisation of the business operations was already underway. Forced by the Covid-19 pandemic to avoid personal contact, the relationship between technology providers and textile companies has also evolved, developing new solutions, especially with regard to remote machine maintenance. Italian textile machinery manufacturers have realised the urgency of enacting a digital transformation of their business. That’s why ACIMIT has realized the Digital Label project for the certification of Italian textile machines, that adopt a common set of data, in order to more easily integrate with the operating systems of their client businesses (ERP, MES, CRM, etc.). I am sure that in the future the demand for more interconnected machines will grow. This development will enable textile companies to face the future crises with more suitable tecnologies.
“We are Also Planning A Networking Event Aimed at Giving Visibility to the Italian Exhibitors”
What are the plans taken by ACIMIT for its members’ business & brand promotion in the year ahead? It will be held at the ITM 2022 this year. What are the Italian companies’ preparations for ITM 2022?
In 2022, ACIMIT activities to promote the Italian textile machinery sector will be as numerous as ever, thanks to the cooperation of Italian Trade Aagency and Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation too. The set up of exhibition common areas for Italian companies at some important trade shows (ITMA ASIA, TECHTEXTIL, …) is scheduled. Incoming missions of textile operators from different Countries to Italy are also planned. As far as ITM 2022 is concerned, I am sure that the Italian presence will be significant as in the past editions. ACIMIT and Italian Trade Agency are also planning a networking event aimed at giving visibility to the Italian exhibitors, with the participation of media representatives, local partners like research centers, universities and relevant players of the Turkish textile sector.
How will 2022 be for the textile industry? What are your expectations and 2022 targets of Italian textile machinery manufacturers?
2022 will still be a year of deep uncertainty for the global textile industry. We observed the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic in recent months. There are problems related to our day-by-day business due to the considerable increase in the cost of raw materials and shipping, the scarcity of electronic components, etc. However I remain hopeful and optimistic. Over the years the Italian textile machinery manufacturers have faced financial and economic crises but, over time, they have always recovered and resumed their activities with more enthusiasm. In 2022 the target of Italian companies is already ITMA 2023, which will take place in Milan from 8 to 14 June, 2023. ITMA will be a unique and not-to-be-missed opportunity to show the whole world the uniqueness of our technologies and the Italian creativity. Already now our companies are working on technological innovations that international visitors to ITMA Milan will be able to appreciate in the Italian exhibitors’ booths.
Interview: Dilek HAYIRLI