The 17^th edition of ITMA, the global textile machinery event that just closed in Milan, has been a great success for Italian textile machinery manufacturers, according to ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers.

“The number of Italian exhibitors and visitors bears witness to the vitality of the entire Italian textile industry,” stated Raffaella Carabelli, the President of ACIMIT.

“Our member companies chose to believe in ITMA as a key event for the industry, and they were proven right. Allow me to thank the Italian Ministry for Economic Development and the Italian Trade Agency for providing us with the indispensable support required for the realization of important promotional initiatives for ITMA.”

Record visitors’ numbers

ITMA 2015, held in Milan from 12-19 November at the Fiera Milano trade fair grounds, closed its doors with some significant results. For the eight days of the event, the halls which hosted the 1,700 exhibitors recorded almost 123,000 participants, coming from 147 countries. This represented a 22% increase compared to the previous edition in Barcelona.

However, it is in the number of unique visitors that Milan marked a record increase. The event achieved a 42% growth compared to Barcelona in 2011, and 8% compared to Munich in 2007. Similar statistics had never before been recorded in the sixteen previous editions of ITMA, organisers report.

Italy ranked first overall in the number of exhibiting companies (454), as well as visitors (18% of the total). Behind Italy among the main countries with most visitors were India and Turkey (around 8% each of total attendance), Germany (7%), followed by France, the US, Iran, Brazil and Pakistan. In addition to industry operators, ITMA was also attended by over 4,000 students, while media representatives in the press hall numbered 400 in total.

Results and feedback

“The results of this edition of ITMA actually surprised us. It was a success from an organizational and logistical standpoint, as well as for the quality of visitors in attendance. The contacts and orders received, above all from India and Turkey, have far exceeded our expectations,” said Carlo Rogora, CEO of Itema Group.

Alex Zucchi, General Manager of Ferraro Spa, confirmed the quality of the visitors on hand: “We saw lots of visitors and a good many business opportunities, especially from non traditional Countries. We also noted a reawakening of our domestic market, an essential sign for all businesses in our industry, and for the development of the entire Italian textile sector.”

Ms Carabelli believes that this edition will be remembered not just for its record numbers, but also for the message it has transmitted, concerning sustainable innovation. “The trade fair pavilions in Rho exhibited a great many technological innovations that focused on a quest for greater sustainability in textile production processes. Sustainability and innovation: a combination that will represent the key to a successful future for many manufacturers,” she concluded. The next edition of ITMA will be held at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from 20-26 June 2019.

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