In the last few years, Itema Group has not only made significant acquisitions to add to its competencies but has also overcome the difficulties posed by the pandemic to emerge a clear winner. In this interview, Ugo Ghilardi, CEO, Itema Group elaborates about the company’s new products and innovations while also highlighting the strategies it has in place to continue with its victory march

From a global perspective, how was the year 2021 for Itema?

The year 2021 was an outstanding year for Itema. We recorded the highest sales volume of the past 10 years. In terms of figures, we closed 2021 with a +43% on turnover, Lamiflex at +18% and Schoch at +23% with a group average that sees us at +41% compared to 2020. What makes us further proud about the company are not only the numbers but the fact that we have been able to attract new customers who chose Itema as weaving machines’ supplier for the first time, implying that we still have significant growth margins.

Which were the important global markets for the company?

First, I must mention India. Our Itema India team worked tirelessly on many exciting projects from Surat. Itema is a preferred supplier of advanced rapier looms to central and southern Indian regions where the Itema air jet machines have been continually installed over the last year. Other key markets providing very good sales results were Turkey and China. And even if numbers are clearly different, the Italian fabric producers requested a significant quantity of new weaving machines.

In the last few years you have acquired Panter, Lamiflex and Schoch Reeds. How are they contributing to the growth of the Itema Group?

Lamiflex entered the Itema Group in 2017 and represents a strategic asset for us. The company operates in the promising world of composite materials, guaranteeing to our group significant research and development opportunities. In 2021, Itema acquired 100% of Lamiflex’s shares in a move that demonstrates how this company is crucial for our future development. Schoch joined Itema in 2019 with the aim of widening the range of weaving accessories directly designed and produced by Itema. Moreover, the state-of-the-art plant that Schoch features at Kolhapur is a tactical location for our presence in India. Finally, when Itema had the chance to acquire PTMT (formerly Panter), we immediately caught the opportunity to bring inside our group the specific know-how and products tailored for technical fabric weaving along with the competencies of the team since it is not easy to find skilled textile experts.

Currently how is Itema positioned in the global weaving market?

I would like to say to our customers that our weaving machines are tools in weavers’ hands. It is our technological support combined with their capability that makes their fabrics special. Superior performances, eco-efficiency and textile mastery are the features you immediately feel when relying on Itema. The Itema weaving machines provide a guarantee to worldwide weavers about the most innovative technology tailored to suit the latest market trends, indicating that we are focused on providing the innovative content that weavers really need. As an example, we are proud to see how easy it is to switch the production from one style to another on our weaving machines, thus ensuring that our customers can easily follow every market demand.

In terms of technology, iSAVER® was introduced for denim in 2018. Can you elaborate on other new technologies introduced recently?

iSAVER® represented a real turning point for Itema’s penetration into the denim market. Thanks to iSAVER® we gained significant market shares and it is today the only device of its kind that successfully works and provides tangible benefits in the most renowned weaving mills in Turkey, Egypt, Vietnam and many other countries. Soon it will be installed in India too. iSAVER® combines everything a weaver desires: money saving, sustainable production and ease-of-use. The solution has been so well-received by the market that we are now working on expanding the range of fabrics which can be woven with iSAVER®.

I would like to mention iCARE™ and iBOOSTER™ too – two innovations that respectively guarantee predictive maintenance and superior performances, both based on the most modern digital technologies. On the air jet side, all the latest innovations introduced on the Itema A9500² are today a consolidated certainty. That includes Skyframe® heald frames and the optimised pneumatic platform, just to mention a few, which provide the guarantee of superior performance to our customers in real running conditions along with and optimised air consumption. This results in increased sales in several textile areas and segments such as apparel and denim.

We are nearing the end of a difficult pandemic period which lasted for more than two years. What are the valuable lessons learnt from this crisis?

Itema has taken advantage of this situation to work on what is the most important asset of any company – people. Our internal internship programme for young talented graduates evolved, introducing the latest principles of digital transformation – the Itema Digital Academy. We also implemented the Itema School of Management, an advanced in-house training on the most modern trends dedicated to refresh and update our managers’ expertise and, as mirror-effect, to guarantee to our customers the most skilled team of professionals. The pandemic made it clear that people make a difference. The dedication, commitment and engagement that the Itema Group employees worldwide demonstrated even during the most difficult stages of the pandemic are of course the main ingredient of the successful results we are enjoying now.

What are your expectations from the year 2022 and beyond?

We entered 2022 with a substantial order book – evidence that the textile industry is experiencing real momentum. I expect 2022 to be another record year for us. It would be even more promising without the difficulties caused by the raw material shortages which are significantly impacting the production capacity of worldwide manufacturers.

What is the vision you have set for Itema by 2025?

Itema Group is a pioneering, reliable, far-sighted partner that is capable of offering a complete and all-round package of solutions and services. The sale of our products is just the starting point of a full set of experiences and opportunities. We are already working on several cutting-edge news that we look forward to unveil next year at ITMA 2023 to be held at Milan.