The need to pursue environmental sustainability goals is growing in the luxury brand sector. Today it is possible by involving the entire production chain in an optimal way. In the words of Alessandro Maffei, stands out the experience of the company Carisma
Growing business and know-how according to eco-sustainability. This is the goal that Carisma has always pursued. The family business founded in Solofra by the Maffei brothers in the late 1970s, today entrusted to the heart and mind of the second generation, is strongly committed to supporting such development. In fact, the tannery quickly managed to establish itself on the market, thanks to high-quality products, the dedication in leather processing, the efficiency of the distribution channel and the ability to adapt and to develop new technology. “Our corporate philosophy remains that of always improving what we do to create high value-added services and products over time” explains the company’s CEO Alessandro Maffei, happy to show the strengths of the new path at Lineapelle.
What were the results drawn from the fair?
“The fair went well, confirming the trend of 2022. However, the outlook is still uncertain. After the two-year pandemic, we are now going through a real economic war, a daily challenge, which does not allow us to define prices and plan purchases. It is not possible to say whether the peak has been reached or whether the road is still uphill. Ancillary products have increased by about 40 percent in the last six months and we do not have sufficient margins to face the very significant increases in electricity and gas prices. However, we remain confident and trust the continued collaboration with all the global high fashion brands, the only way to safeguard ourselves”.
What makes you still optimistic?
“Our optimism derives largely from our awareness and ability to offer a product minutely manufactured, 90 percent destined for the main European brands, mostly Italian and French. Indeed, the technology we adopted allows us to be innovative, experimental and responsible. This year, for example, we completed our most important investment started in 2012, namely the construction of a new facility of about 11 thousand square meters, specifically designed to organize and optimize the entire production cycle both in terms of quality and the environment. During the Covid period we weren’t demoralized at all, but we decided to continue along our path with optimism, trying to quickly achieve what had been undertaken in previous years, investing lots in sustainability. And speaking of sustainability, for some years our company has taken up the challenges and opportunities related to it, through a well-defined planning of goals, in order to accelerate a path of sustainable transition in a sector that pushes each component of the supply chain to keep up with the times every day. Our approach materializes both through certifications and through the modus operandi lying at the core of our daily work. I am talking about, for example, of the waste sorting which has improved year after year, an adequate management of Reach and of the adaptation of a photovoltaic system.
I would also like to draw attention to our commitment to research: for years we have been dedicating part of our energies involving all the staff in various projects, collaborating closely with the Ministry and with the Federico II University of Naples. In view of the industrialization of the aforementioned projects, we will implement essential aspects for environmental sustainability, through the saving of water consumption and chemical products.
And to carry on a real family passion.
“We believe in it and we hold on. We are a beautiful, ever-evolving company, made up of a working group of 95 people who are protagonists of the business and of the set of processes that make up the firm. A team attentive to new lifestyles, outer inputs and ready to turn the customer’s ideas into solutions. We invest a lot in young people, most of our collaborators are under the age of 45 and it is important for us that each of them grows together with the company. We try to pass on the passion for this wonderful business to the kids, so that they can face the daily challenges with something extra. We have always faced unpredictability in a positive way, making the most of our resources without ever stopping. I confirm once again that Carisma’s philosophy has been, is and will always be to improve, to create services and products with high added value over time.”
Alessandro Maffei, at the head of Carisma, Solofra (Avellino province)