From Confindustria Moda a Strategic Plan to save the supply chain: 'It must not end up like the automotive industry'
A roadmap of urgent but also long-term measures was presented in the Senate. President Sburlati: 'If no action is taken within five years, 4,600 more companies will close'
A necessary plan, consisting of urgent measures and long-term visions, to prevent the Italian fashion industry, the country's second largest manufacturing sector, from suffering the same inglorious end as the automotive industry. Yesterday in the Senate, Confindustria Moda, with Confindustria Moda Accessori, presented the guidelines of its Strategic Plan 2035, to protect the textile-fashion-accessories supply chain, its more than 48 thousand companies and its 500 thousand employees distributed in 23 production districts throughout the country. A supply chain that lost 6 thousand companies and 190 thousand people between 2017 and 2023.
"In close dialogue with the institutions, we must chart the course for the coming years, investing in very precise and urgent issues," said Luca Sburlati, president of Confindustria Moda -: stop the invasion of ultra fast fashion and its serious consequences; approve the textile EPR, which could moreover create a new and rich supply chain for the country, already a leader in glass and plastic recycling; approve the legislation on the legality of the supply chain as part of the SME Bill to protect Italian-made products, which are suffering serious and often unjustified attacksi; renewing the tax credit on research and development, which is crucial for an industry that thrives on innovation such as the fashion industry. In addition, four other 'flagship' projects, from the establishment of a World Bank for fibres and textiles in Biella to that of a pole of Italian manufacturing excellence in Paris.
According to the association's estimates, failure to adopt these measures could cause the industry to lose 19 billion in turnover, 35 thousand employees, and 4,600 companies within the next five years. Implementing the plan, on the other hand, would have a decidedly positive impact, with a growing turnover of EUR 51.5 billion (the 2024 figure was EUR 89.8 billion), over 9 thousand new companies, 99 thousand employees, and a contribution of EUR 15 billion to the national GDP.
Confindustria Moda's proposals include working on an ambitious Made in Italy communication plan that highlights the history, culture, innovation and sustainability of the Italian fashion system, also and above all targeting the younger generations. And without fearing technological innovation: 'The digital transition can be of great support,' continued Sburlati. 'Fashion must not fear it, because within the next 20 years there will be no robots capable of sewing. Ours really is the last manufacture. And it must also be protected for this reason'.
