Historic debut at the 2020 edition of Simac Tanning Tech, the international trade show dedicated to tanning machinery and technologies held in Milan last February, for ALPA REPICO – these two Lombardy-based enterprises, at the forefront in the field of leather chemistry, in Fall 2019, signed a global partnership deal that involves all corporate levels, featuring a strategy aimed at the strengthening of technical and commercial positions on a worldwide scale, able to guarantee a comprehensive range of articles and services. It was the first joint participation in an international fair (while the first official appearance took place in late November 2019 at the ProssimaPelle event in Arzignano), as confirmed by Gloria Gualtieri, ALPA’s owner.
“Our experience at Tanning Tech,” she explained, “was fairly positive, with satisfying results in terms of contacts, despite the absence, due to the Coronavirus outbreak, of several professionals proceeding from China and Asia, the latter a pivotal market for us, as it accounts for a significant export share, amounting approximately to 70% of the overall turnover. For the occasion, we chose to set up an exhibit accessible to all in our large stand and an internal show-room, not visible to those just passing through, where we put on display a cutting-edge collection of hides and the latest innovations. In this area, we managed to sit down and meet both our partners and potential new customers.”
The weeks following Simac Tanning Tech were marked by the global health emergency, that has rapidly spread around the world. “We closed down,” stated Gloria Gualtieri, “for just a week, in March, we had the chance to keep working with a limited number of employees compared to the normal standard, implementing all the required safety measures. Where possible, for instance when it comes to the accounting department and other divisions, we opted for the “smart working” policy. Our workers’ safety was thoroughly guaranteed, as always. Right now, it is difficult to make assessments concerning this year’s performances.”
However, in 2020, ALPA – whose headquarters is based in Pregnana Milanese, while other facilities are located in Chiampo (Vicenza province), Santa Croce sull’Arno (Pisa province) and Solofra (Avellino province) – will launch a new project related to the protection devices sector. “We will sell a sanitizing gel, available in spray cans as well, bearing an Italian brand and manufactured with a Swiss joint-venture that invests significant resources in research,” confirmed Gloria Guarnieri.