1945 – 1965
A.N.C.I. – The National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers – was founded in Milan in 1945. Membership consists of a few dozen footwear manufacturers.
During the first twenty years of A.N.C.I.’s existence membership increased moderately and consisted mainly of important footwear manufacturers in Northern Italy.
1966 – 1970
President Mr. Marco Trolli includes in the primary goals of his mandate to represent the sector on a National level.
A.N.C.I. membership extends to the Central regions of Italy (Tuscany and The Marches) and also to the South of Italy (Apulia and Campania).
1970 – 1974
President Mr. Elio Camagna takes over MICAM, The International Footwear Show, from a private concern ensuring A.N.C.I. ownership (1974).
Under the new management the exhibition becomes well established and develops constantly over the years together with the world-wide prestige and image of Italian footwear.
1974 – 1979
Aware of the growing importance of the role played by the European Economic Community in industrial and commercial affairs and in International relations, President Mr. Ottorino Bossi concentrates his efforts on creating and promoting actions to improve the co-ordination between footwear manufacturers on a European level.
Mr. Bossi is elected President of EFC – the European Footwear Confederation – to which all the National Associations of footwear manufacturers of European Union countries belong. He also contributes to consolidating and improving MICAM – the International Footwear Show and the editions held in Bologna in particular.
1979 – 1982
President Mr. Leonardo Tranquilli strengthens relations with Confindustria – the Italian Manufacturers’ Association – and with the most important Italian Research Centres in order to define new actions required in view of the changes occurring on the scenario at the beginning of the 1980’s.
He also encourages close organisational and operational connections with numerous local Footwear Associations in the major Italian shoe manufacturing districts.
1983 – 1987
In 1985 C.I.M.A.C. – the Italian Centre of Footwear Materials – is established under President Mr. Luigino Rossi, an organisation at the service of footwear companies and the relative operational system. Companies are able to certify the quality of their products and of the materials used in the manufacturing process thanks to extensive laboratory tests.
Mr. Rossi also develops an intense targeted promotional campaign for A.N.C.I. members on the USA market as well as specific projects that result in an increased presence of Italian footwear in Japan.
As far as relations between the various components of the system operating in the Leather sector are concerned, a series of systematic connections are started thus facilitating the founding, within a short space of time, of Federpelle, the Leather Association of which Luigino Rossi becomes the first President.
1987 – 1991
For the first time in Italy a methodical and wide reaching promotional campaign for Italian footwear is defined under President Mr. Natalino Pancaldi.
Following an extensive institutional lobby, the Value Added Tax (VAT) on footwear is reduced to the concessional rate in force at the time for textiles and clothing.
1991 – 1995
President Mr. Benedetto Eleuteri supports a substantial promotional project for A.N.C.I. members on Asian markets which present encouraging development prospects for Italian footwear.
The number of Italian footwear manufacturers participating in group in specialised trade fairs (Hong Kong) and itinerant trade fairs organised specifically for Italian footwear (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea) increases considerably.
In order to reduce labour costs which are particularly high in the footwear sector due to the extensive use of manpower, A.N.C.I. carries out a lobby on a National and European level aimed at obtaining tax relief on contributions.
1995 – 1999
President Mr. Maurizio Pizzuti pays particular attention to the problems related to Italian trade fairs in order to define new strategies to help the sector face the changes occurring on the various markets and to satisfy new needs to which manufacturers must adapt.
In order to ensure new generations of skilled workers the School Project is launched, a large-scale project that includes activities both on a National level and within the main shoe manufacturing districts.
A.N.C.I. moves to the offices in Via Monte Rosa thus improving the efficiency of the Association.
1999 – 2003
Antonio Brotini developped a series of promotional activities aimed at opening up new markets to the Italian footwear industry which is facing increased competition on an International level. The Brazilian, Russian and some of the former Soviet Union countries were amongst the main objectives of these campaigns.
Mr. Brotini highlighted the need to take serious steps to safeguard the “Made in Italy” trademark. He was also an active supporter of trade fairs and helped start the Fashion Shoe exhibition with the specific aim of putting average, average-high and high class footwear manufacturers in condition to meet the needs of a continuously and rapidly changing scenario.
The MICAM Shoevent also received a lot of support and now occupies a net area of 51.000 sq.m. with approximatly 1,300 exhibitors participating.
2003 – 2007
During his four-year term Mr. Soldini implemented the main goals of his comprehensive and important program:
Made in Italy, to safeguard and control this trademark and to fight the proliferation of imitations.
To obtain fair and balanced conditions amongst the major non-UE countries in terms of import and export duties.
To further promote Italian footwear on the most important foreign markets.
To increase the number of member companies and the quantity of services offered to members.
To give added importance to the training of young managers and to support the activities carried out by the perfectioning centres: Macerata SCAM, Strà and Florence.
To increase collaboration between footwear manufacturing districts in order to improve co-operation in areas of mutual interest.
To afford more importance to the Young Entrepreneurs Group which has worked within the Association for several years, giving them the chance to participate actively in the Association’s activities.
2007 – 2011
Vito Artioli implemented a comprehensive program during his four-year mandate.
These were its cornerstones:
Development and consolidation of the Micam ShoEvent as the key event for the Italian-made footwear.
Launch of new promotional and marketing initiatives for small and medium-sized footwear companies: press rooms in Russia, Germany, China and the United States, new exhibitions of Italian footwear in France (Paris) and Lebanon (Beirut).
Integrating footwear technology and training colleges with new specialist courses, and the launch of new initiatives aimed at training young entrepreneurs.
Lobbying activities at national and European level to ensure that the EU trade policies respond to the needs of the footwear manufacturing industry: trade defence measures against Chinese and Vietnamese dumping (renewal of anti-dumping duties), strengthening of bilateral negotiations between the EU and emerging markets, with particular attention to Brazil and Mercosur states.
Innovation and optimization of inter-association relations and the association’s communication policies: new website, new information channels for members (newsletters, online showcases, etc.)
2011 – 2015
Cleto Sagripanti is appointed by the Board of Directors to be the new Chairman of ANCI.
On 16 April 2013, the Extraordinary General Meeting deliberates to change ANCI’s name to Assocalzaturifici.
On 4 June 2013, Cleto Sagripanti is confirmed as Chairman of Assocalzaturifici.
2015 – 2019
Annarita Pilotti is appointed by the Board of Assocalzaturifici to be the Association’s new Chairman.
During her mandate, Pilotti focuses on remodernising and restyling the MICAM trade fair, intensifying relations with Italian and European political institutions (opening an Assocalzaturifici desk at Brussels), and on promoting internationalisation, by sustaining the participation of Italian firms at numerous foreign trade fairs.
CIMAC, the ANCI Servizi laboratory for testing, certification, chemical and performance tests, is also enhanced and given a new operational headquarters.
With her backing, Assocalzaturifici joins Confindustria Moda, the federation representing the fashion, textile and accessories sector.
Assocalzaturifici moves its headquarters to the building occupied by Confindustria Moda, in via Alberto Riva Villasanta 3, Milan, which becomes home to all its member companies.
2019-2023
Siro Badon, as designated by the Executive Council of Assocalzaturifici, was formally proclaimed President of the Association by the General Assembly.
The focus of his mandate is on member companies, training young resources and skilled labour, and strengthening institutional relations in Europe with the support, amongst others, of Confindustria Moda.
His mandate was marked by the biggest pandemic of this century, which obviously precluded many internationalisation initiatives and activities. During those difficult months, the association strengthened its focus on its members by putting in place actions to support companies, such as setting up a dedicated and free legal service to settle any issues arising from the health emergency, i.e. relating to order cancellations, shipment blockages and liquidity crises.
The Association has taken political action, with great effort and determination, through Confindustria Moda and Confindustria Roma, urging the government to assign as many resources as possible, for immediate use, to support the market and the production chain.
For business reasons, Siro Badon ended his mandate as president early in July 2022.
