Clusters and the GEOX factor

摘要

A year ago Mario Polegato (right), founder and CEO of GEOX foorwear, took part in the TFL Forum at Lineapelle/TanningTech. He argued that industry in Italy and the rest of Europe might be able to fight for fair competition against low cost manufacturing companies, but will no longer be able to obtain any form of trade protection. To face the difficult times arising from globalisation and the IT society the ancient format of the Italian business has to be rejuvenated. Italian products must be further enhanced and all Italian business must "introduce the concept of marketing". The future for the small- and medium-size enterprise, SME, lies in knowledge. Companies must become more creative, with improved training and enlarged research and development for both products and materials. Manufacture itself is likely to relocate to low labour cost countries. According to Mr Polegato, state education works on a "different set of tracks than industry" and many trade associations have "lost sight of their objectives" wasting time in "days and days of discussion".