by Letizia Magnani
Tradition and future are the two tracks of a history, that of Italian Design, beautiful and important. For this reason the president of Assolombarda, Alessandro Spada – host today hosting the meeting promoted by Quotidiano Nazionale, Il Resto del Carlino, La Nazione, Il Giorno Luce! on Corporate Design which takes place at the Assolombarda headquarters in Milan – underlines that “the sector is constantly evolving, ready to seize new challenges and opportunities to remain competitive on global markets. Among these sustainability, which materializes in the growing attention , by companies, in the use of recycled, biodegradable materials with low energy and environmental impact”.
“Technology also currently has – and will increasingly have – a decisive role – says Spada –: I am thinking, in particular, of the integration of artificial intelligence, 3D printing and augmented reality in products and design processes. Finally, I would like to mention the customization, given the great commitment of our entrepreneurs aimed at developing innovative and tailor-made solutions to satisfy the needs and tastes of consumers”.
Moreover, for Alessandro Spada, at the helm of Assolombarda since May 2020, “Made in Italy is our know-how, it is the culture that we manage to transfer to the products we make and which are excellent on a global level”. Made in Italy is very popular all over the world. Lombardy and Milan are undisputed beacons of design, fashion and more, both from the point of view of turnover and the imaginative value they represent, as President Spada “looking at the production specializations that distinguish us such as food, fashion , furniture design, mechatronics, every year activate more than 100 billion euros of exports from Lombardy to the world – as many as 116 billion euros in 2023 – bringing together almost 57 thousand local units and employing 648 thousand workers”.
In addition to this relevance for the local economy and its international projection, Lombardy concentrates very high shares of national Made in Italy: 17% of food, 28% of fashion, 29% of mechatronics, 30% % of furniture design in terms of Italian foreign sales. “For our territory – says Spada – it is limiting to stop at these ‘traditional’ sectors. Our peculiar ‘Made in Lombardy’ is also enriched by chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Here in Lombardy we in fact concentrate a fifth of pharmaceuticals and 43% of chemicals national”. Important, fundamental numbers for the country’s economy, which see Design as one of the most appreciated sectors of Italian creativity in the world.
