At Lineapelle 2022, a renewed collection focusing on ecofriendly stylistic themes will be launched
Thimeco, established in Montebello Vicentino in 2016, in July 2021 moved to Arzignano, in the heart of the Venetian tanning district. The inauguration of the new headquarters was an opportunity to increase and innovate the machinery fleet in a 4.0 key, so to optimize the production process, transferring every phase internally except that of spraying which is still entrusted to third parties in possession of the necessary permits for emissions into the atmosphere.
We met Davide Baldo at the new headquarters.
Thimeco has always ranked important brands in the fashion world among its customers, but today more than ever the company is called to fly high. “We believe it is essential, given the difficult times that have weakened above all the smaller companies, to focus on the high-end segment, aiming for a higher target price,” continues Davide Baldo. “To meet the needs of the major luxury brands and expand the slice of customers, we have increased the leather supply markets: in addition to the traditional product, we also deal with the national and European one, more suitable for high-end accessories, such as for example sheep and goat skins, particularly requested for women’s shoes.”
Research and progress are also, and above all, related to sustainability. The group obtained the LWG (Leather Working Group) certification in 2021, a recognition that rewards tanning companies that work according to quality, environment, safety and ethics, aiming at improving their sustainability standards on a global level. Beyond the LWG, the company boasts the UNI EN ISO 9001 certifications about the quality management system and UNI EN ISO 14001 about the environmental management system renewed respectively in 2019 and 2020. “ We have developed a line entirely dedicated to the production of metal free leathers, made without the use of chromium and heavy metals. In our laboratories we are testing new tanning process as an alternative to aldehyde chemistry, which involve the use of much more ecological and natural substances.”
What practical benefits has the expansion of the headquarters brought you?
“Thanks to logistics and to the new machines we achieved a more efficient manufacturing process and greater quality control. Previously we relied on subcontractors while now a large part of the work is performed internally.”
What new products have you presented for next season?
“We have launched a full range of sheepskin including fur sheepskin, both for lining and reversible, and small-sized buffalo hides.”
Have you renovated the production department as well?
“Yes. In July 2021, we moved to a new production site which allowed us to install new machinery, also thanks to the 4.0 transition. Indeed, technological innovation improves and makes production processes more efficient on the one hand and management processes on the other.”
What are the challenges for 2023?
“Being able to keep the same turnover of the past, despite all the existing problems in this critical era. In addition to the difficulty of finding raw materials, we have to face new costs, such as that of energy which has tripled in a very short time. The most important thing is to be able, nowadays, to bear the costs and to do so we need to increase production, therefore increasing turnover.
Thimeco boasts decades of history, a company born from the intuition of the entrepreneur Jouri Doumler, current president. Currently, production is mainly aimed at the footwear and leather goods market but the offer is not limited to leather, as it also includes chemical solutions and machinery. It is an Italian story focusing on innovation, research and development.