World trade is slowing, with political and economic turbulence emerging on many markets as well as uncertainty regarding a protectionist turn by certain world leaders, but the footwear, leather-goods and tanning machinery industry has delivered yet another positive year.

“If we can take some credit – says Gabriella Marchioni Bocca, ASSOMAC President – it is for the fact that, despite all the uncertainty, our sector has managed to hold its ground. With world trade witnessing a slowdown in growth rates, footwear, leather-goods and tanning machinery has registered extremely positive levels in all sectors. This is an indication of just how competitive we are but also of a structural change in the markets and we must not be left behind.”

First the figures. Data processed by the Ufficio Studi of ASSOMAC, the Italian Association of Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather-Goods and Tanning Technology, show that the 2016 turnover recorded a further +7.2% compared with the previous year, reaching Euro 625 million. As ever, sales are primarily export-driven (approx. 75% of turnover), totalling almost Euro 467 million (+8.2% compared with 2015) against imports for just over Euro 33 million, bringing the trade balance for the sector to a net revenue of more than Euro 433 million.

Click here to read the full report.