Defy the recession with an eye to the future. This was our slogan and this is what the exhibitors sought to do at SIMAC and TANNING-TECH, held in Bologna from 13 to 15 October, with a presence that signalled a strong response to the difficult circumstances worldwide that continue to block the upturn.

This defiance was positively received by the market, which once again showed its belief in SIMAC and TANNING TECH, as proved by large visitor numbers from all continents. Those present gave the distinct impression that they had come to Bologna not only out of a general interest in the state of technological innovation but also with concrete industrial plans that will hopefully be translated into sales contracts.

If we truly are close to the turning point of this long and dramatic negative situation we can certainly say that SIMAC and TANNING TECH 2009 will be remembered as the driving force behind an upswing that all are confidently waiting. The most surprising positive indication came on the second day of the event, when average visitor numbers were far higher than expected.

The presence of official foreign delegations, invited by ICE and ASSOMAC, also lent further lustre to the events, partly thanks to the signing of major sales contracts between some delegation members and exhibiting companies. More than 70 footwear, leather-goods and tanning operators came from all over the world, in particular: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Syria, Uruguay, Tunisia and Vietnam.

Significantly for the tanning sector, UNPAC, the new association of Italian tanning-chemical product manufacturers, chose TANNING TECH for the first official international presentation of the new association and its member companies.

On one stand, ASSOMAC, in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Pavia, also presented the first application of the new communication standard for the footwear sector: SPRINTS – Shoe Process Interoperability Standard – an XML-based language for the description and transfer of geometric and technological data between the footwear design process and production.

SIMAC and TANNING TECH have passed the hardest test. We now await 2010 and fresh challenges in an international