Cam freezes activity: new tranche of exits

"In the coming months we will carry on only business, we have to become small. We will not leave the market, but we will only remain with around thirty employees'. Speaking is Gianfranco Rho, president of Cam, the historical company from Bergamo known for its slogan 'Cam - The World of Children'.

Founded in 1969, the company is now going through a deep crisis. After peaking in 2008 with an annual turnover of 60 million, the following years have been steadily declining until the 23 million turnover in 2024. In 2008 the company had 320 employees, in 2024 they became 140, and with the last two staff reduction procedures (in February and July 2025) only 80 remained. "We have already started a new negotiation, which will start next spring, to reach a further 50 exits. The budget is in the red and production is down to the bone, this is the only way to managethe redundancy of the workforce,' says the president's daughter, Monica Rho, Cam's marketing manager.

The owners retrace the steps of the last few years: 'The market after Covid has changed profoundly,' says Monica Rho, 'and has opened up to Eastern European markets, but especially to China, which is invading the European market. They come with their own brands, which are more competitive, and supply thus becomes much higher than demand. Due to the US tariffs, moreover, all Chinese goods that used to go overseas are being diverted to Europe. The cost of labour and aid from the Chinese government make unfair competition. And without aid or state intervention we are on our knees'. However, the president does not want to hear about closure: 'We will remain on standby, waiting for some orders to come in from abroad or for birth rates to rise again.