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Tecno-GI SpA, one of the most qualified industries in the permeated textile and plastic materials for toe-puffs and counters sector, is preparing to enter the hot-melt adhesive market. This is a strategic choice made by the management who have so far been able to lead the company, with a precise investment programme, to the head of the world list.
More than 7 million square metres of material produced in 1999, 50% of which sold on overseas markets, the participation in three companies around the world and one of the best organised and technologically equipped industrial structures in the sector. This is Tecno-GI, a company whose story has always been upward, and started little more than 20 years ago.
In fact, founded in 1979 after the breaking away of a productive department of Giardini SpA based in Vigevano, present in the world of leather since 1937, Tecno-GI has been among the world leaders for the past ten years, thanks to a careful and continuous expansion policy.
Since its beginning, it has had to compete with the domestic market. Throughout the eighties, that were characterised by tight working relations with Italian clients, the most sophisticated and demanding in the world, Tecno-Gi was committed to innovating and widening the range of its products. The notable experience acquired, meant it was able to set up expansion programmes for international markets. In this phase, the constitution of the controlled Tecno-GI Iberica, based in Elda, was determining. In the nineties, the gradual strengthening process began for the internal productive structure, which meant investments in new and sophisticated technology and enlarging the industrial site from 3,500 to 6,500 square metres. At the same time the research division and the sales network were strengthened by highly qualified personnel, and furthermore, a programme of trade fairs in the various world production areas began. The market responded immediately to this new strategy with a rapid growth in demand.
To be able to reach a higher level of efficiency in dealing with orders, in 1994 further notable investments in new production lines were necessary, and consequently the sites were enlarged again, up to 9,000 square metres. In this way productive capacity doubled while research obtained particularly significant results. In fact, "multi-layer TMS" was developed, a highly technical material which combines traditional permeating technology with more sophisticated extrusion technology and represents, both for innovation of the process as the degree of quality, the most advanced frontier in the evolution of materials for toe-puffs and counters. The perfect holding of shape, the "natural" and elastic touch, the particularly high degree of non-deforming, perfect adhesion on all types of leather and synthetics, are the main characteristics of "multi-layer TMS".
In the light of notable investments and the consequent results, marketing programmes are certainly becoming ambitious.
The first step towards reaching the objectives was to copy the successful business formula in other high potential countries for footwear development.
Therefore, still in 1994, a joint venture was set up with the Yuhang Country First Textile Mill in China, with the name Hangzhou Jasmine Shoes Materials Co. Ltd., that uses Tecno-GI technology to make permeated textiles for toe-puffs and counters for footwear. The production site, of over 3,000 square metres indoor, is located in Liangzhou, a small urban town 15 kilometres from the city of Hangzhou, where the administrative and trading offices are found. The production lines were made entirely in Italy and guarantee a productive capacity of over 3 million square metres a year.
The production of Jasmine will mainly be destined for the Chinese domestic market. However, this factory represents an important integration and complementary element for the export policy of Tecno-GI in the Far East area, where the company in Borgolavezzaro has made a significant increase in sales volume in recent years.
The next operation dates to 1997, and is the constitution of Tecno-Gi Plast SpA, a productive unit that, near to the mother company, was also set up in Borgolavezzaro in a new site of 2,000 sq m.
Thanks to TMS know how, developed by Tecno-GI, the young industry specialised from the start in the production of extruded plastic and multi layer materials and, furthermore, has perfected the suitable technology, beginning a process of diversification from what had until then represented the real core business of the company.
In fact, after a brief starting up period, the production of particular polymer films began, which are mainly destined for the clothing and finishing of leather sectors. The market response was not slow, opening the road for another sector.
In the meantime, another opportunity came to light for Tecno-Gi in India and, after two years of collaboration with the Eagle group in Delhi, in 1999 a joint venture was set up called Tecno-GI India PVT. Ltd (New Delhi). The new company that can count on various distribution sites in the main footwear centres in the country, will produce, under the control of some Tecno-GI operators, punched, skived and preformed material and, furthermore, it will sell the material directly in sheets.
Without pausing for breath, the management of the Piedmont based company is ready to take the next step and according to official sources, this will be a very important investment.
The appointment, therefore, is this spring, and the sector is hot-melt adhesives. |
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