Based in Grumello del Monte (Bergamo province), LAMPA is a leader in the field of high-end fashion accessories and is among Europe’s first companies to get the “Benefit Corporation” business name. “Way ahead compared to others.”
Over forty years of experience, leader, both domestically and abroad, in the highend fashion field, specialized in the design and manufacturing of accessories for the apparel, leatherware and footwear sectors. However, LAMPA, enterprise headquartered in Grumello del Monte (Bergamo) is known worldwide for its role as a pioneer when it comes to sustainability, acknowledged as a true benchmark. In December 2019, the Lombardy-based firm was given the go-ahead to change its business name from “Srl” to “Benefit Corporation”, the latter a legal status that entails a full commitment to environmental safeguard.
Mirko Bertoli
“We set off on this journey six years ago,” explained Mirko Bertoli, LAMPA’s General Manager. “At that time, sustainability was not yet such a heartfelt issue, so we can say that we were among the pioneers in this field, given that we fully understood the importance of said choice in the long term. We believe that is has become a key priority, since fashion houses have been paying more and more attention to sustainability and traceability, without forgetting that the adjective “corporate” is an additional incentive for enterprises. For quite some time, we have been supplying recyclable materials with a markedly low environmental impact, close to zero. The transition from “Srl” to “Benefit Corporation” is no longer just a dream, shared by the whole family and now finally fulfilled: in Europe, just a few companies can boast such an innovative business name.”
What does it mean for you to be part of this élite? “In order to get the “Benefit Corporation” business name, discerning parameters are required, it is a process that does not end once you get the certification, you must pursue a constant improvement and your progress is monitored regularly. Since it is an internationally renowned community, that is gaining more and more a strong foothold, supervision is very thorough: for example, every year, you must point out goals and budgets to improve the work environment and the product itself, besides proving to be at the forefront by installing cuttingedge machinery. Undoubtedly, this choice entails significant investments, but this is the way to the future, we will get a positive feedback business-wise in the short term: we are already reaping the results and said results are proving us right. Our dialogue with the most prominent groups has already started, brands are perfectly aware of the path they want to take: they have started demanding tanneries’ sustainability, then turned to fabrics and, subsequently, to accessories: this change in “philosophy” is a fait accompli.”
You were the first to implement a sustainability-oriented strategy: what were the benefits of this choice? “We are a step ahead, at least a couple of years, compared to our competitors, we managed to achieve that result before anyone else: to date, no other enterprise in this sector has reached the same level. We have already manufactured these products, all certified: the distinctive trait lies in the fact that sustainability concerns the whole production process and its long supply chain. In 2020, we invested approximately 400.000€ in the rainwater harvesting system, activated at the end of January and used for production, for fire protection operations, for the whole corporate management. We have also added some purifiers. We can rely on solar panels, electric machines and the complete in-house recycling as well.”
As for this sector, what tasks have you set for yourself? “To raise the customers’ awareness, helping them understand eco-sustainability’s strategic importance, while guaranteeing the same quality standards and prices. Globally speaking, there is still a lot to do, yet all players must row in the same direction, towards sustainability. Italian fashion, praised worldwide, has always managed to convey powerful messages concerning these issues, then taken up by everybody. Designers pay special attention to this topic, but it is up to them to provide specific eco-friendly solutions. I believe that this will lead to change of attitude: the fact that even the Asian market are investing in fully sustainable garments is an emblematic example of the situation, we must get ready in order to meet these demands, especially in the post-Covid phase.”
In your opinion, will other entrepreneurs head down the same path? “In the future, either near or distant, this goal should be pursued with precise rules. In the near future, in order to enhance a truly eco-friendly clothing item, said article should come with a label, a microchip or a barcode, that outlines the history of the garment itself, of the manufacturer and of its processes. These features, once revealed, can guarantee higher sales volumes: if I have an innovative product sustainability-wise, I look forward to sharing this piece of information, otherwise it is not true. In addition to the manufacturing cycle, the same goes for disposal operations as well.”
2020 was a difficult year due to Covid-19 outbreak: how much did it affect your turnover? “We managed to reach the same turnover as the year before. However, the performances in the second half of 2020 were better compared to the same period in 2019. We deal with a product that was affected by market stagnation, due also to closed stores; nevertheless, LAMPA has succeeded in shaping its own space, by supplying articles regularly used by international brands, by ensuring a stable turnover and by safeguarding trade. Once the health emergency is on the wane, we expect a marked increase in proceeds both in Italy and abroad.”
How is the high-end fashion sector acting during the “pandemic period”? “In such an unexpected situation, the world’s major groups, especially those based in Asia and, more specifically, in Japan, have given preference to financially stable enterprises that pay close attention to environmental issues. From a practical point of view, brands have favoured reliable articles, somehow acknowledged as benchmarks. According to numbers, we have noticed that customers, especially the most prominent ones, have been focusing more and more on purchasing said products, so as to guarantee the highest quality standards to their own clientele. Upon watching this season’s catwalk shows, it is apparent that fashion brands provide fewer model types, but also a larger range of colours. A choice aimed at enhancing “classic”, durable items.”
www.lampasrl.com