Antonio Piovan, Unimoulds
Well-established know-how, experience, constant innovation: Unimoulds is always at the forefront, ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing, increasingly demanding market.
How do you deal with such a difficult period for the footwear industry? With the quality of Italian manufacturing. Not only in terms of finished product, but also when it comes to the work of those upstream companies that actively contribute to this “Italian miracle”. Unimoulds, firm headquartered in Albignasego (Padua province), belongs to this category. With more than forty years of experience, Unimoulds has managed to establish itself, both nationwide and internationally, as a benchmark in the field of direct injection moulds in steel and aluminium – single-colour, two-tone and multicolour. A varied clientele that pays close attention to quality: this the firm’s reference market, as confirmed by its owner, Antonio Piovan.
“For us, it is essential to find a quality-oriented niche within this fast- paced, borderless market. We have been investing in cutting-edge technologies and processes; for example, in the last few years, we have got a positive feedback for the three-dimensional previews shown to the customers. We provide the technology, but, if the soil is not fertile, it is like sowing in the desert. Enterprises must be supported by the country system and its institutions.”
Technology lies at the core of a significant breakthrough that is involving the whole footwear production sector. “There has been a pivotal paradigm shift, since technologies are now imported. Turkey and other neighbouring countries have become competitors, as they launch cutting-edge solutions in Italy, while gaining a strong foothold in our reference markets as well.
The world keeps turning and is now changing at a hectic pace.” To keep up their competitiveness on a par with nations like China is not an easy task for the domestic enterprises, as explained by Piovan: “Italy’s problem is systemic, unfortunately we are not competitive enough. Croatia, for instance, is very close, labour costs are low, so much so that, together with Bulgaria, it can compete with China.
Nevertheless, we must fight back, keep afloat and stay true our core values, quality included.” In addition to the production of moulds for full-plastic articles, like boots, sandals and slippers, Unimoulds deals also with the manufacturing of moulds for direct injection onto upper as well as of moulds for soles, insoles and accessories, both injection and compression ones. Moreover, the firm has been experiencing growing success is the PU and PVC safety footwear sector – a field that is going through some significant and positive changes.
www.unimoulds.com