During a press conference on June 23 in Milan, Mipel Lab presented its digital platform launched for the first time in September 2021 in collaboration with Lineapelle. So from the end of June, the physical format of Mipel's leather goods specialised trade show Mipel Lab will be integrated with the b2b matchmaking platform that aims to connect Italian and foreign brands with top-end Italian leather goods manufacturers. The project, studied with Ernst & Young, was designed with the support of the DS group software house and in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo and was created with a strong focus on digitization and new technologies. A few dozen of brands take part in the project to date.

The platform employs an artificial intelligence algorithm that allows local and international luxury brands to match, in just a few clicks, with the top Italian leather goods manufacturers that can best satisfy their production needs in real time, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. "By involving brands not active in Italy to date and providing a service that can put them in touch with the manufacturer that best meets their needs, we hope to create important new business synergies and opportunities with national and international operators," explained Franco Gabbrielli, president of Assopellettieri. "After these last few difficult years and the still delicate international situation, uniting the physical with the digital and acting as a facilitator between supply and demand in the world of high-end leather goods was not just a wishful thinking but a real necessity," he added during the conference.

"The goal is to bring Italy to those who still think that Italy is not a production hub, creating a system of excellence internationally regarded as a system. And to support the system it is necessary to develop three point: training, industry 4.0, generational change," concluded the president.

"The made in Italy represents a concentration of passion, constance, quality, made by generations of entrepreneurs. We are honored to be at the side of Assopellettieri in this important path," said Luca Felletti of Intesa Sanpaolo.

Photo: Franco Gabbrielli, president of Assopellettieri. Courtesy Image