The Italian machine manufacturers for the shoe, leather goods and tannery sectors had to accept a decline in sales of 12% in 2024. According to preliminary numbers, the industry sales are around 575 million euros. This was announced by the Assomac industry association at its general assembly in the “Kilometro Rosso” innovation center on June 20 in Bergamo.
According to the association, a reservation of investment in the domestic market and the weakening export business are responsible for the significant declines – due to geopolitical uncertainties, increasing costs, remaining consumption and increasing protectionism.
“Our industry is in a profound but not irreversible crisis,” said Assomac President Mauro Bergozza. “We need investments in digitization, automation, sustainability – and above all a joint vision of companies, politics, education and research. If we do not create a shoulder, we remain viewers on the world market.”
Despite declining numbers, according to the association, Italy claims its top position in the high-tech segment: In 2024, 30% of the global export of machines for shoe and leather processing to Italian providers continued to be available. The position in the field of tannery machines (52% world market share) and machines for leather goods (35%) is particularly strong. The shoe segment is significantly weaker with 12% – here the growing influence of Chinese providers tightens competitive pressure.
As part of the Assomac Assembly, representatives from politics, business and science discussed the future of the industry. Under the title “Growth, cooperation and innovation for the European fashion industry”, the participants advocated technological openness, industrial policy support and a strong European commitment to ensure the industrial core of fashion industry.
Central demands: simple access to funding (e.g. via the Industry 5.0 program), targeted export funding for new growth markets in Africa, India, Southeast Asia and South America as well as more investments in technical training and digitization.
“We have to create a system that supports the company not only technologically, but also on questions of infrastructure, industrial policy and international relationships,” said Bergozza. “Italy can play a leading role again – if we have the courage to think long -term thinking, joint investments and determined cooperation. The time is now.”
