Interview with Dr. Paolo Banfi

Dr. Paolo Banfi
Chairman
Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers

The role of an Association is especially important in a negative economic period

Born in Magenta, Milan (Italy), on December 7, 1949, Dr. Paolo Banfi went on to graduate in 1977 from the University ‘CATTOLICA DEL SACRO CUORE’ Milan, Italy, from the Economy & Commerce faculty. He began his professional career as a Management Consultant in 1975 and took position as General Manager at COMEZ S.p.A.

Congratulations, Dr Paolo Banfi on assuming the Chairmanship of ACIMIT recently! ACIMIT has been the voice of the Italian textile machinery manufacturers for years now. Could you explain its history and the activities in brief?

The main purpose of the Association (which is private and not for-profit) consists of the promoting the Italian textile machinery industry and supporting its activities, especially abroad, using tools and instruments which are ever increasingly innovative and have been continuously improved over the course of its 60 year history. In particular, to promote knowledge about Italian textile machinery throughout the world, ACIMIT can provide information about the activities of the Association members and organise a vast range of promotional initiatives (exhibitions, publications, technological seminars), often working with the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade (ICE). Another important activity of ACIMIT is the information provided to the members about commercial, financial and technical problems in the various markets so that access to these markets is made a little bit easier.

The textile industry being dynamic as it is, what effects have percolated down the Italian textile industry this year, and on the Italian textile machinery manufacturers, in particular?

The world textile industry is characterised by leopard skin type growth. There are entire areas in which the investments in machinery are at a standstill (a large part of Europe and the North American market) and then others where the growth trends in investments are positive (especially the Far East markets). Clearly, our sector is also influenced by the trends in the downstream sectors. In 2004, production in the Italian textile machinery industry was worth 2900 million Euro, a 9% decrease. Exports account for 76% of total production; in 2004, they totalled 2200 million Euro.

What role can an Association like yours plays today to ensure sustained growth of the industry, at large?

The role of an Association is especially important in a negative economic period like the present one, when the companies cannot be left alone to compete in the global market. The aim of the associations must be to stimulate the sector companies and to support their activities with International organisms, Government authorities and the banking and financial world.

In case of SMEs (small manufacturing enterprises) of Italy, what sort of future do you envisage in the coming times? Can ancillary units survive in current times?

"For years, SMEs were one of the key factors to the success of the Italian industrial system. Now, international competition requires growth which is, above all, cultural growth. Survival depends on how the Italian companies deal with this period of major change and I am certain that, as in the past, they will be able to adapt to the requirements of the market."

"Could you give an idea about the performance of the Italian textile machinery industry and how will it stand up to overseas competition?"

Italy is one of the main manufacturers of textile machinery along with Germany, Japan and Switzerland. In 2003, it accounted for 14% of the world market. Of the countries mentioned above, it is the only one, according to United Nation statistics, which increased its market share between 1995 and 2003 (rising from 12% to 14%). To take on their competitors, our companies rely on the features and characteristics which led to the Italian leadership: flexibility, reliability and a good quality/price ratio.

What is your impression of the global textile machinery market?

In recent years, there has been quality and quantity growth for our competitors. As well as the traditional textile machinery producers, as mentioned above, there has been an increase in the number of local producers in countries where the textile sector is still an engine for the economy (especially in the Far East). The technological gap between us and these new competitors is still in our favour but we must in any case focus on continuous innovation, marketing and customer assistance if we wish to maintain our position as world leaders.

Do you expect early revival of the European and the US textile industry, and how will it make or mar prospects of Italian textile machinery?

Europe and the United States, despite the current crisis, are still important markets for the Italian textile machinery sector. Europe accounts for 35% of Italian exports while the North American market accounts for 5%. In Europe, particularly, in 2005, we expect a recovery in investments in the textile sector.

Your Association actively participates in the trade exhibitions/shows/fairs overseas. How do you plan to promote the Italian textile machinery abroad during your tenure?

Another crucial purpose of the Association is to promote Italian textile machinery throughout the world. Under my Chairmanship, the usual promotion activities which are carried out by ACIMIT will continue, including involvement in the main Trade Fair sectors, technological seminars for textile operators in various countries with a major vocation for the textile sector and training courses held in Italy for foreign managers. With the Association members, ACIMIT will also make every effort to innovate marketing strategies, in order to promote the excellence of the Italian textile machinery sector the world over.

Published on: 26/07/2005

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.