Joana Vaz Teixeira_WorldFootwear: We are at Simac Tanning Tech with Mr. Agostino Apolito. He is the Managing Director of the National Association of the Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods, and Tanning Technologies. Thank you for being here with me, Agostino. I have a question for you: in your view, which technologies will disrupt the footwear industry more, and the tanning industry, in the coming years? 
Agostino Apolito_ASSOMAC: This edition of Simac Tanning Tech is particularly important right now, because companies are increasing their ability to offer new technologies that also rethink the production model, especially in the footwear sector. What does this mean? From a technological point of view, it means there is attention to every phase of the process and an evaluation of the activities at each stage of production. So, within manufacturing, it’s about having the right requirements for each individual machine that needs to be used. All of this, however, is connected by a unified vision and therefore, also by integrated management systems. The first key element is the software that underpins communication across the entire supply chain. The second important point is related to robotization, which facilitates production through automation to improve the manufacturing process. This is crucial because robotization initiates a process that can then incorporate artificial intelligence, which monitors and evaluates consumption, energy usage, data management, production challenges, and waste within the production cycle.

Joana Vaz Teixeira_WorldFootwear: You mentioned that robotics and automation are becoming very relevant tools in the industry. How is Assomac contributing to help with this change, to help with this shift? 
Agostino Apolito_ASSOMAC: The contribution provided by Assomac aims to present a unified standard for all its member companies - over 130 - and more broadly for the approximately 250 companies in Italy. This standard is essential to ensure that the dialogue between different production processes is effective and that everyone speaks the same language. Right now, robotics is perhaps the element that most enables us to respond with automated solutions to various production processes. Robots can perform different functions simultaneously within the same production phase, and this is one of the key advantages. Let me emphasize another aspect: through supply chain software management, we can establish a common standard that allows all producers to communicate in the same language. This is the element that facilitates and undoubtedly strengthens the ecosystem of companies that manufacture machinery and technologies for the footwear industry.

Joana Vaz Teixeira_WorldFootwear: In terms of new technologies, artificial intelligence is here. Everyone is talking about it, everyone is developing new systems, new technologies that incorporate that tool. How do you think this is going to work, not only to provide the companies with more efficiency and competitiveness, but also how do you see this integrated into the entire supply chain to contribute to having more sustainable solutions, more effective solutions for the industry?
Agostino Apolito_ASSOMAC: That’s a very broad question. Artificial intelligence is a major support for companies and can be applied across many areas. So, the effort we’re making right now is to identify the specific areas where AI can be most effectively applied. Just to give an example: we have some AI applications primarily related to imaging for product traceability. In terms of leather, we’re working to support companies by offering solutions that use imaging to detect defects in the leather, identify weak points, and discard parts that may still be repurposed for other uses. This is a very important aspect because, from a sustainability perspective, it allows us to determine the best use for each piece of leather and reduce waste.Another example is the use of AI in cutting processes. Cutting is already being done through AI-based analysis of the leather, which helps discard components that are not suitable for their intended use. Finally, AI is also used in data management. Data - especially consumption data - can be processed optimally through algorithms. AI can analyze the energy consumption of specific machines under certain conditions and interpret the data most efficiently, providing valuable insights for those managing sustainability reports, reading performance metrics, or planning operations. All these aspects are extremely important to us. Some of these solutions are already being showcased at the fair, and that’s exactly the goal of our event: to present these innovations. But more importantly, to send a message not only to companies, but to the entire research community - to our Spanish, Portuguese, and French colleagues - so that Simac can become a European event, one that brings forces together. Without sounding too rhetorical, this unity is essential to face competition from other parts of the world. I know you’ve been to China and seen many new developments. We have all the potential to be stronger than the Chinese, but we need to stand together. Simac can become an opportunity to truly build a united Europe, coming together at a fair that belongs to all of us. That’s the vision we hope to present for next year.

Joana Vaz Teixeira_WorldFootwear: You almost answered my last question. My last question is about Simac because we are here, and Simac is the leading trade show for technologies for this industry. What are your expectations for these three days of the fair?
Agostino Apolito_ASSOMAC: So, what do I expect from these three days? First of all, what I’m seeing is a strong desire to meet, share innovations, and understand how we can overcome this moment together. It’s a very complicated time, due to the international geopolitical situation, which certainly doesn’t help trade or markets, and creates difficulties for businesses. There’s a second issue: we’re indirectly affected by tariff policies, especially those being applied by the United States, since we supply technology to the entire world. This is a significant concern for us. My hope is that all these challenges can be overcome, and they can be, as I mentioned earlier, by working together: by building a common European policy for the footwear and leather goods sectors. It’s difficult, but I’m confident that through dialogue and frequent meetings among us - operators from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany - we can find better conditions to compete together. Expectations for the fair are positive. Visitor turnout is in line with last year. Obviously, we're in a situation where many companies, to save costs, have decided to present their products together and set up joint stands; however, their presence is important to us. So my hope is that today, which is the most important day, the second day, we can truly understand the sentiment, the expectations companies have of the market, but above all, what they also have for future activities with their customers, especially brands and footwear manufacturers, who aren't helping much at the moment, given the major internal revolutions underway and the shift in style that young people are somehow experiencing; and therefore, consumption is no longer what we had before.

Joana Vaz Teixeira_WorldFootwear: Thank you Agostino, thank you for your time. All the best at the fair. This was interview with Agostino Apolito from Assomac. Continue to follow WorldFootwear for all the updates.