PROSSIMAPELLE Hit the mark again

Mission accomplished for the second edition of ProssimaPelle, held in Arzignano on October 29th and housed (just like the maiden event that took place back in 2019, while, in 2020, it was cancelled due to the Covid emergency) on the ground floor of the abandoned facility that belonged to the former Marly’s, historic women’s fashion brand. Once again, a successful endeavour – and, this time, the conditions were even more difficult because of pandemic-related restrictions – for the event fostered by UNPAC (that is, the national association that gathers Italian manufacturers of chemical tanning auxiliaries), now at its seventh edition, including the five exhibitions (the first one back in summer 2016) previously hosted in Santa Croce sull’Arno (Pisa province). The Tuscan town will be the location for the first show scheduled in 2022 as well, before the beginning of summer.
Full marks, therefore, for an event that, in the area around Vicenza, confirmed its appeal, succeeding in bringing together several tanning and chemistry professionals, who gladly took part in in this interesting show. A success connected also to the “lean format” – one single opening day, from mid-morning to evening -, thus markedly reducing the exhibitors’ investments for the show, even in terms of time and effort. Despite the still uncertain economic and market situation, Arzignano ProssimaPelle 2021 featured 39 exhibitors, a true “sold-out” event, so much so that organizers were forced to put a limit to the number of available registrations, due also to social distancing regulations. This accomplishment, – the fact that there could have been more than 40 exhibitors in attendance -, might encourage UNPAC’s management to find a larger location for the next edition in Arzignano.
During the event, we interviewed Maurizio Maggioni, UNPAC’s secretary, and coordinator of ProssimaPelle, who was very satisfied with the results achieved, without resorting to the word “courage”. “I would not call it a courageous event, rather I deem imperative to boost, at least a little, the credibility of the sector and of local economy. Right now, there is so much tension concerning chemicals, the increase in raw materials and transport costs, and it is very difficult to talk about economic recovery: let’s say that we went back to the pre-pandemic phase and that we are striving to push forward.”
The success of the Arzignano-based event is further confirmed by its numbers. “If we have managed to bring together 39 exhibitors,” added Maggioni, “it means that this is a winning project, without forgetting the highly satisfying turnout regarding the attendance of entrepreneurs, tanning technicians and professionals, especially since mid-afternoon. It is a pity that we were forced to put a limit to registrations, leaving out other firms that wanted to participate. A new location for the future? We will assess the situation, we still have time to take decisions and to arrange everything. The attending businessmen have shown their determination, despite the current difficulties that are affecting mainly tanning machinery manufacturers and chemical enterprises.”
As for the international scenarios, according to UNPAC’s secretary, “the paradigm as a whole has changed. Asian companies must improve quality-wise and lower their environmental impact, the latter a pivotal aspect for our domestic enterprises. Manufacturers are probably choosing Italy for their purchases once again, because our country has been paying far more attention to environmental safeguard than other continents. Moreover, the leather produced here is well made, while, in other countries, there are issues related to both yield and the use of hazardous chemicals. With regard to this, Europe can rely on a strict regulation called REACH. For this reason, more and more international brands, very attentive to environmental and ecological issues, are turning to Italian products. And let’s not forget another thing: to successfully work in this sector, high quality is essential.”
For ProssimaPelle’s organizers it is now time to look confidently ahead. “This year, we have renounced to the event in Santa Croce,” explained Maurizio Maggioni, “so as to focus all our efforts on Arzignano: before the beginning of summer, the health situation was still uncertain, there was no reason to start a project just for the sake of it. We believe that, in 2022, we will be able to schedule two editions, as it happened back in 2019, starting with Santa Croce sull’Arno’s event between May and June, dedicated to the presentation of 2023 Fall/Winter solutions. We will return to Arzignano in fall, probably at the end of October.”
UNPAC’s president, the entrepreneur Marco Frediani, was equally satisfied with the exhibition’s results, as confirmed by his statements. “The main source of pride is related to the fact that, the first edition held in Arzignano in 2019, turned out to be a striking success as well, thus confirming the wisdom of the choice we made to bring ProssimaPelle, after the previous experiences in Santa Croce, to this district. After the first surveys carried out last summer, local entrepreneurs showed their willingness to recreate this platform for exchange and knowledge, then Tuscan enterprises and firms proceeding from other Italian regions chose to take part in the event. We have been noticing that the colours and fashion trends developed in the Arzignano area are earning more and more recognition. Until now, Veneto was usually described as the region boasting a marked production of leather for the furnishing and automotive sectors, whereas, in the last few years, footwear and leatherware have been gaining a stronger foothold, thanks also to the growing demand for these articles. And our event is fostering this trend.”
ProssimaPelle has been confirming its role as a prominent, strategic exhibition, thanks to its ability to be a step ahead of times. “In Arzignano, the exhibitors,” explained Frediani, “put on display 2023 Spring/Summer solutions, four months in advance compared to the upcoming edition of Lineapelle, scheduled in February 2022. Make no mistake, we have to intention to utterly change fair calendars, after all we showcase proposals and suggestions, some trends may even change or further develop in the meantime. These early indications concern more colours; as for products, we must wait and see what happens. Another pivotal aspect of our event is that it allows to launch some technological innovations as well. We want to provide a multifaceted portfolio that can highlight the quality of articles and our way of working: nowadays, the most pivotal issues revolve around sustainability and organic solutions, a massive commitment that brings together all the players involved, enterprises and organizations based in Arzignano as well as in Santa Croce and Solofra.”
During the event held on October 29th, UNPAC’s president, visited the stands, spending some time with the exhibitors. “Work is picking up again, more or less, but everything is affected, I think it’s the right word, by the growth in raw materials’ prices: I have been in the business for forty years and I have never seen such a chaotic situation, featuring a sequence of excessive, inconsistent increases, some products costed 1.50 euros and right now their prices have risen up to 4.80 euros. It makes no sense whatsoever. I believe that the recovery will be effective in all sectors and at all levels. Now, we must wait and see what happens with raw materials, everything revolves around oil and derivatives: the petrochemical industry is going through a complicated period, maybe it is simply a matter of waiting.”

www.prossimapelle.it

From the left: Chiara Carradore Direttore Distretto Veneto della Pelle; Marco Frediani Presidente UNPAC; Alessia Bevilacqua Sindaco di Arzignano;Roberto Mariano Mecenero,Presidente AICC

Maurizio Maggioni segretario UNPAC

Marco Frediani presidente UNPAC