Organised by Assomac, the international trade show for machinery, technologies and solutions for the footwear, leather goods and tanning industries concluded its 52^nd edition, “further solidifying its role as a strategic international platform”. Over the three days, attendance figures exceeded 8,800, marking a 25% increase compared to 2025. Notably, around 50% of attendees were international, with exhibitors, brands, and organisations hailing from over 20 countries.

“Internationalisation is a key driver for growth in the technology sector and for our companies’ ability to establish a presence in increasingly diverse markets. Simac Tanning Tech plays a decisive role in this process: it does not merely bring together operators and technologies from around the world in Milan, but creates the conditions for building lasting industrial relationships and opening up new avenues for development”, commented Mauro Bergozza, President of Assomac. 

During the event, Assomac and ACCAL (the Latin American Footwear Chambers Association) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen industrial and technological cooperation between Italy and Latin America. According to the statement, “the region’s significance amplifies its prospects”. With an estimated 1.5 billion pairs of shoes produced in 2024, Latin America accounts for about 6% of global production. 

The agreement, which represents footwear associations across 12 countries, will focus on connecting the region’s demand for production modernisation and digitalisation, including automated cutting and stitching technologies, CAD/CAM, traceability, and production management systems, with Italian expertise. The partnership will include B2B meetings, trade missions and investment initiatives, beginning with activities at ANPIC in León, Mexico, in October, and continuing with initiatives in Colombia and Argentina.

Simac Tanning Tech also strengthened its ties with Egypt’s leather and footwear industry by hosting a delegation linked to the Robbiki Leather City project, developed in collaboration with AICS Cairo and other institutional and industrial partners involved. At the fair, Assomac and the Leather Technology Training Centre (LTTC) signed an agreement to develop joint training and research programmes. Discussions also addressed the possibility of establishing a dedicated footwear production area at Robbiki in a future phase.

“The agreement with ACCAL, together with the new trade framework between the European Union and Mercosur, further strengthens our focus on markets such as Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia – strategic partners given their size and technological needs. At the same time, our established work in Egypt confirms the value of a sustained presence in these markets and of collaboration with local partners”, summarised Mauro Bergozza. 

The President of Assomac added that the aim is to continue investing in Simac Tanning Tech as an international platform that can connect demand, technology and businesses more effectively. “In 2027, this journey will continue with a particular focus on India, another strategic market for the development of the supply chain”, he announced.