Prato, July 3, 2024 – The only way to win the challenges of the future is in teamwork: the time is ripe for the districtthe largest textile area in Europe. And if small is still beautiful and of quality, it is even more so by joining forces for a common goal: to protect the system of a supply chain made up of many small and medium-sized businesses, each one bearing a unique and inimitable “know-how”. This is the message that emerges forcefully from the conference held yesterday afternoon at the Textile Museum entitled “Textile: a district without borders between tradition and future”, the Tuscan stage of the cycle “QN districts – The challenges of Italian territories and districts. QN meets the protagonists of the supply chains“.
An opportunity of discussion and reflection between industry experts, entrepreneurs and trade associations at a time when the district is experiencing a moment of difficulty after the post-covid, the enthusiasm of a record-breaking 2022 and a slowdown due to overstocking that has stalled orders. A system of small and medium-sized businesses whose lifeblood is a timeless “know-how”, capable of navigating crises, ups and downs, of grasping the most suitable innovations for a restart that is always one step ahead of the rest of the manufacturing world. At the center of the debate, which was coordinated by Luigi Caroppo, deputy director of La Nazione, the themes of innovation and tradition. “We couldn’t help but stop in Prato because this city and this land are inimitable symbols in our country – said Caroppo – representing a model, mainly of small and medium-sized enterprises, which have made the manufacturing industry an excellence and an effective, strong, resistant and resilient supply chain, capable of changing its skin but never betraying its DNA: the know-how, the desire to do”. The initiative, sold out, also followed via streaming, was created in collaboration with Confindustria Toscana Nord, Luiss School of Government and the Textile Museum, with the support of the Main Partner BPER Banca. Leonardo Biagiotti, head of the Prato editorial team of La Nazione, had the task of framing the current situation of the district which “faces a future full of unknowns, although the fairs demonstrate interest in the Prato product”. Playing host Philip Guarinidirector of the Textile Museum, who reiterated that “since the birth of the Foundation, one of the objectives of the members has been to safeguard the district’s past and to tell the story of the contemporary district: today is a unique opportunity to talk about textiles while looking to the future”.
For the mayor of Prato, Ilaria Bugetti “there are times, like the one we are going through, in which institutions must stand even more closely alongside businesses. In Prato I remember the 10 million that arrived for the district. We want to do our part by talking to the economic categories and seeking support from the Region, the government and Brussels”. Vice President Stefania Saccardi was present for the Tuscany Region: “Prato is a point of reference, a driving force for Tuscany and for a virtuous economy. It was a model to be inspired by on how to do business while respecting the territory, the environment and social policies”. Dalila Mazzi, president of the Pistoia-Prato Chamber of Commerce, highlighted that “the businesses that have invested in renewable energy and innovation are the ones that are doing best”.
Instead Fabia Romagnolipresident of the Fondazione Museo del Tessuto and vice president of Ctn, added: “We need to focus on infrastructure and be ready for challenges: an example is the work we are doing with yarn producers to spread Grs certification in their production chains. Innovation is the backdrop and prerequisite for many of the needs that are emerging for Prato”. Claudio Bettazzi, president of Cna Toscana Centro (also speaking on behalf of Confartigianato) said he believes in “a supply chain policy: working as a team is the only way to win the challenges of the future. Training young people is essential”.
