Conceria Carisma, specialized in the processing of fine goat and sheep leathers for fashion, has been able over time to evolve and adapt to a constantly changing market.
Used to deal with the great Italian and French maison, the Maffei family, for over forty years, has been working with that deep and unique foresight and dedication that characterizes the Italian social and productive fabric. Future challenges? Alessandro Maffei, second generation of the company, tells us about it.
You boast a long history. How did it all start and what’s the situation today?
“Carisma was born at the end of the 70s thanks to the Maffei brothers, namely my father and my uncle, from a small company that, after a few years, managed to establish itself on the market for its great ability to catch external stimuli. The company made major changes in terms of product innovation and development strategies aimed at implementing increasingly sustainable and circular processes. This has been and is still possible, thanks to our know-how and constant research. Today we are stronger and able to guarantee the market a considerably wide and very high- quality offer, made up of always up-to-date and sought-after items.”
Quality first…
“Absolutely, it is our focus. We work in a very particular sector, which is constantly changing, as is consumption itself. The needs have changed and the demand is very high so the product must be treated in detail. Our company philosophy is based on the constant improvement of all our activities to concretely create added value over time and space. Every year, part of the profits is invested at this purpose.”
Everybody talks a lot about sustainability, how are you dealing with this issue?
“The entire sector, like the entire supply chain, is moving in this direction by promoting technological innovation projects and environmental sustainability. Energy saving is essential. Today, not tomorrow. It is possible to change point of view to improve the current situation and fix what went wrong in the past. We are much committed toward it with awareness and responsibility. At the beginning of 2022 we will move to a new production site of 12 thousand square meters where this commitment will be feasible. This project started in 2013 and is about to come to its completion. At the moment only one department is working but in a few months the plant will be fully accessible.”
Seems you are very proud of it…
“We started this ambitious project to meet market demands and carry out a meaningful ecological and social policy. The green approach is in first place for us. The raw materials traceability has also become a primary goal. The big fashion houses require utmost attention, even from an ethical point of view, and we satisfy their needs to ensure the origin of the products we work with to the end customer.”
How does industry 4.0 combine with human input?
“The processes are the key, but employees in our sector are essential because much of the work is still done manually. Carisma currently has more than 60 workers but we expect an increase in the production department.”
Alessandro Maffei
The production line of Conceria Carisma also includes Unik-Pel stainless steel barrels by Unimatik