Samab Showcases Diverse Products for Specialized Market

Bobbin, May, 2001 by Tracy Haisley

Italy's first trade show for the sewn products industry in the new millennium offered a wide range of technological innovations.

With 402 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, the 10th SAMAB, the International Clothing Industry Machinery and Accessories Show, introduced many innovative garment technologies -- from computers and software to cutting and sewing room equipment. Held March 14-17 at Fiera Milano in Milan, Italy, the exhibition marked the first major event in the new millennium devoted to sewn products technology in Italy.

Italy has more than 17,000 retail outlets per million inhabitants, by far the most in any European country, according to the U S. Department of Commerce's Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Complementing this strong market is a vibrant manufacturing sector that is investing in new machinery. For example, Giovanni Cartabbia, chairman of SAMAB's board of directors, noted the fact that 44,284 new sewing machines were sold in Italy in 1999.

Recent surveys by the Italy-based research firms Sistema Moda Italia and ACNeilson Sita estimate that about 36,000 clothing manufacturers are operating throughout the country. Many small- and medium-sized firms characterize the Italian market, and the trend toward custom design and embellishment is important.

Spotlight on Specialty Machines

"The primary interest from my customers is in special stitches," said Massimo Zini, sales officer for Sive S.p.A., an importer and exporter of new, used and rebuilt sewing machines. According to Sive, during the past year the demand for specialty stitch machines increased in Italy, the company s principle market, and in response eight new machines have been added to the supplier's catalog. New introductions at SAMAB included six Venus machines, among them the VP LT2 embroidery machine and the VP 1720 double-needle picot hemstitcher, as well as the Vari-o-matic VP-2 and the Juki DDL-8500 lockstitch sewing machine.

Doretta Pravettoni, a representative for Juki Union Special, agreed: "This show is mainly for Italian customers, who now have high demand for our specialty machines." Popular products at the show included Juki's newly released LBH-1700 electronic lockstitch buttonhole machine, which has six standard buttonhole patterns and the option to expand to 89 patterns. Juki's customers at SAMAB also encompassed manufacturers from Asia and throughout Europe.

With the recent introduction of its Signature 2000 Version 9.1, which has an automated tool for creating sequins designs, Pulse Microsystems addressed another niche demand in the Italian market. "Italy is very strong in specialties," said Claude Vlandis, vice president, business development, Pulse Microsystems. "The machines they sell here are not standard machines. They sell laser machines, sequins machines -- not the standard embroidery [units]."

"Everyone is talking about sequins in Italy. It was key to develop this feature for the Italian market," Vlandis remarked, adding that the tool allows users to create a string of sequins by simply drawing the shape along which the sequins are to be placed. Users can then set the size and density of a pattern, as well as change a design line or its position. Once changes are made, the program automatically updates the design. Lockstitching also can be added at the start and end of sequins segments. Commands to activate the sequins attachment and jump commands also can be automatically added.

Varied Products, Expanding Markets

Sewing and embroidery machines were not the only popular products on the show floor. For example, CAD Modelling, which counts Baby Guess? USA and United Kingdom-based Next among its customer base, showcased its Formax[R] 3-D anthropometrical dummies. Based in Florence, Italy, the company offers mannequins corresponding to a variety of individual body types, from slim to pregnant to obese. Models of men, women, children and babies are all available in forms that categorize body type and calculate range of motion.

CAD Modelling's mannequins allow users to evaluate the size and the fit of clothes without having to follow up with real-life prototype tests. "These models also provide for harmonious sizing around the world [based on body type], which can cut down on fabric waste," company representative Lydia Ferrari explained.

Also on the 3-D front, Hamamatsu Photonics, marking its first European exhibit, presented the Bodyline scanner. Carlo Robino, system division sales manager, remarked: "It was time to bring our technology out. We've had it for six years and its future potential is limitless." The Bodyline Scanner uses eight sensor heads to scan a subject with infrared light, creating a 3-D image in less than 20 seconds.

Veit Brisay, a German producer of ironing machinery, announced its March 1, 2001, takeover of Kannegiesser's garment division, Garment and Textile Technology. According to Fulvio Canadelli, the administrator of Kannegiesser in Italy, "This is an important step for us. Kannegiesser and Brisay products will now be distributed into the Italian market straight from Germany." (Fotomark will continue to distribute Veit products in Italy through its own sales agents.)