ESSEBI, based in Vigevano (Pavia province) and founded in 1978, is a pioneer in the introduction of the first rod of thermoplastic adhesive for the assembly of footwear. The company currently exports to 86 countries worldwide
It was a pioneer in the launch of thermoplastic adhesive in polyester and polyamide-based rods in the footwear sector, giving an extraordinary technical contribution which led to radically change the market and the technology of shoe assembly machines. The protagonist of this “revolution” is ESSEBI, turning 45 in 2023, a long and prestigious history that began in 1978 thanks to the two founding partners, Vincenzo Sormani and Mario Borri. In 2009 the Sormani family acquired 100% of the shares of ESSEBI: now the company is led by Renzo and Cinzia Sormani, who are the second generation.
An ever-growing path in the thermoplastic adhesives market, basing its success on innovation, quality and specialization in the footwear sector. The rods of thermoplastic adhesive were soon used by all shoe factories thanks to its speed of application, the greater reliability and the easiness of the processing. The introduction of thermoplastic rods then allowed ESSEBI to become the leader of the national market and then to expand all over the world.
Such an innovation has allowed, on the one hand, the improvement of the shoe production cycle, and on the other also the optimization of electricity consumption (the thermoplastic rod is melted, in the required quantity, only at the time of application). Since its entry on the market, the thermoplastic adhesive has contributed to boost the production cycle in the different fields of the footwear sector, such as for example that of work and sports shoes. The technical features of the ESSEBI thermoplastic rods stand out in all types of footwear, guaranteeing to repeat a high-performance standard, a prerequisite for any quality production.
Initially located in Busto Arsizio, the company quickly developed and moved to a large factory in Solbiate Olona, always in the province of Milan, in a technologically advanced structure boasting an area of 10,000 square meters, 6,000 of which indoor. Sales and marketing are managed from the new sales office in Vigevano (Pavia). The company philosophy is based on the constant search for better solutions for production problems; thanks to the unceasing collaboration with machine manufacturers, consultants and an in-house development team, the company is able to produce, every year, new products in the footwear sector.
The story of such a success is told by Renzo Sormani, whom we interviewed at the headquarters in Vigevano. “In the second half of the Seventies – states the owner – we were protagonists of a product innovation that made history in the sector. It is no coincidence that this happened in the heart of Vigevano, at that time the national capital of footwear, a point of reference for the footwear mechanical sector, therefore the ideal place for the “launch”. In a few years we have spread our product on the Italian market, which, being an international reference in the fashion sector, then drove growth in Europe and overseas. We currently export this product to 86 countries on all five continents and we are renowned as leaders.”
Throughout history you experienced an unceasing growth, but since February 2020 the situation has become more complicated due to a series of extra-economic phenomena. How did you get out of it?
“In the last three years, due to the well-known events, we have witnessed the enormous difficulties that our sector (as unfortunately many others) has suffered: no longer being able to go to the cinema, the theater, the restaurant, or to meet people as we used to, has led to the dramatic reduction of the footwear product dedicated to that specific use.
In recent years, safety / work footwear, walking and trekking oriented footwear have prevailed. They were conservative years, then in 2021 we began to detect the first signs of a positive trend, as well as the first half of 2022. The persistence of issues related to raw materials, the increase in energy costs and the ongoing geopolitical tensions are undermining a balance that seemed to be recovering; starting from the second half of this year we began to register some signs that could also indicate the possibility of a further phase of market contraction.”
What can you tell us about ESSEBI’s entering in the world of safety and trekking footwear?
“We have been working in these sectors for many years, in particular by offering a product called RTF63, a polyester-based thermoplastic rod which boasts excellent adhesion and a very rapid “setting time”. When working on shoes with very heavy uppers, even greasy, this aspect is particularly appreciated because it does not slow down the assembly of the shoe process and therefore increases the efficiency of the production line. It guarantees the perfect sticking for the safety sector which for some years has been trying to lighten shoes for greater user comfort.”
In the light of this aspect, what has improved the most compared to the past?
“There have been changes at different levels, starting with the use of new materials. But above all, now the assembly machines are required to be as fast and efficient as possible and all processes must be coordinated and reliable. It is imperative to avoid downtimes. Thanks to our deep experience, we know how support those who work and the needs of those who use the machines and our products: for this reason, we are always ready to listen to our customers and partners and help them accordingly.”
Your company is based on the chemical sector: what were the main innovations?
“The idea of the adhesive is always the same but the raw materials used have evolved and improved over the years. Speed of assembly, reliability and flexibility of the product are ever-evolving elements; beyond this, ESSEBI has always produced polymers free from problems related to the safety of those who apply our products, end users and the environment. In recent years, in line with a greater attention of the market to some particular issues, we have standardized the range of polyester-based polymers and some polyamide- based ones in a “vegan” perspective, completely avoiding the use of raw materials of animal origin.”
Sustainability and low environmental impact, a highly topical topic: how do you interpret it?
“The concepts of process and product sustainability represent an aspect that now increasingly conforms to the growing attention and awareness of the fragility of our ecosystem and therefore of the need to operate at all levels with awareness and responsibility. Proposing products with a sustainable impact is no longer just a way to stand out but a real need, we got there well in advance. Our products do not feature solvents, and even if they must be applied hot, they require an extremely low consumption of electricity since only the quantity of product that must be used is melt; moreover, the packaging is recyclable.”
As for your production process, how are you equipped to achieve a low environmental impact?
“By applying the rules of good technique, for the elimination of emissions into water and the atmosphere, as well as production derivatives. As far as the process is concerned, we have optimized tools and equipment, all highly efficient, paying particular attention to reducing consumption; we are evolving according to the Industry 4.0 standards. For over 15 years we have been using photovoltaic systems to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. The great investment in photovoltaic systems, together with the automation of production processes, are essential elements for companies that decide to continue producing in Europe, as they allow them, despite everything, to still be competitive with non-European businesses. We believe that even today the ‘Made in Italy’ label represents an effective added value in terms of product quality and know-how, a choice that has rewarded us over the years and which we consider our route for the ones to come.