Fimec brings together the leather-footwear sector this Tuesday (March 12th)
Durante três dias, maior feira do setor na América Latina apresentará novidades e iniciativas sustentáveis para a indústria
More than 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the 47th Fimec (International Fair of Leather, Chemicals, Components, Machines and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries) this Tuesday (March 12th). Until Thursday (March 15th), the pavilions of Fenac, in Novo Hamburgo/RS, will present innovations from the leather-footwear world, including hides and leathers, chemicals, components, machines and technology. In this edition, the sector's main trade fair in Latin America will have an exhibition area of around 14,000m², consolidating its position as the largest Fimec in the last 10 years. The fair will take place every day from 1PM to 8PM, with free registration at the entrance or in advance at www.fimec.com.br.
This year, Fimec will feature around 400 exhibitors in total, bringing together industries from all over Brazil and 80 foreign companies from China, Japan, Argentina, Italy, France, Germany, England and Peru. "This is an international event that is an important business driver for the cluster, contributing to economic development that impacts the whole of Brazil and different countries," says Márcio Jung, CEO of Fenac, the fair's promoter. In this edition, the industries present at Fimec will be from the following segments: 45% machinery, 40% components, 15% leather and machinery for tanneries. "The fair will be fully capable of presenting not only raw materials and components, but also a lot of equipment and machinery to develop the leather and footwear industry in the Americas," he adds.
The fair also stands out for its international character. In this edition, the organization expects to receive visitors from more than 40 countries and 25 Brazilian states, following the strong presence of foreigners registered in 2023. Visitors' countries include: Austria, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Great Britain, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Iran, Spain, USA, Mauritania, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Pakistan, Paraguay, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Senegal, Somalia, Uruguay and Venezuela. The organization also highlights the presence of delegations from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Behind the scenes at Fimec - Fimec assembly process is underway and involves more than 40 assembly plants, which account for 800 direct jobs. Around 150 professionals will be hired by Fenac to work during the three-day event, including security, cleaning, accreditation, customer service and civil fire departments.
An increasingly sustainable fair
With the motto "Innovation, technology and a positive impact on the world", Fimec 2024 aims to present a leather-footwear industry that is increasingly sustainable and attentive to market behavior. This year, through a partnership with Ambiente Verde, Fimec will have an unprecedented space for visitors to visualize sustainable initiatives that can be adopted by industries in the sector. The environment will show how it is possible to innovate through the intelligent reuse of waste from the footwear industry, transforming it into high standard inputs and products, such as insoles, packaging, counters, displays, eco flooring and eco wall coverings for the construction industry, marketing and point-of-sale materials, store displays and a model stand for events.
In addition to the company's space that will present the waste process, 90% of Fimec's visual signage and garbage cans will be made of sustainable materials and were produced using Ambiente Verde's process. "As a trade fair that is a benchmark in the footwear sector, we need to go beyond just choosing sustainability as a theme. With this initiative, Fimec reiterates its commitment to being an example and presenting ways to make industries increasingly sustainable," he concludes.
CICB Sustainability Forum discusses "Links to Traceability"
As well as showcasing launches, the fair stands out for its experience and knowledge spaces. The traceability of Brazilian bovine leather will be the focus of the CICB Sustainability Forum, which will take place on March 13th in Novo Hamburgo (RS), as part of the Fimec trade fair. The central theme of the event will be "Links to Traceability", with a program of lectures bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, private companies and entities from the meat and leather chain. In-person activity, in the afternoon, with free registration through the website: www.cicb.org.br/forum2024, where you can also check out the full program of the event.
The presentations will show tools, solutions and developments in the field of traceability. From the federal government, two representatives will share the actions and projects of platforms and regulations for animal identification and public production records. From the private sector, a tannery will present its journey of delivering 100% tracked leathers and there will also be a technology talk. From the sectoral entities, perspectives and goals on the subject for the coming years will be debated.
The CICB Sustainability Forum is organized by the Brazilian Leather project, an initiative of the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brasil - CICB) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos - ApexBrasil). The event will have simultaneous translation into English.
Concept Factory will produce handbags for the first time
The Concept Factory is already a recognized space at Fimec, which showcases footwear production within the fair's pavilions. Held by the Brazilian Institute of Leather, Footwear and Artifact Technology (Instituto Brasileiro de Tecnologia do Couro, Calçado e Artefatos - IBTeC), in partnership with Fenac and Coelho Assessoria Empresarial, the 14th edition of the project brings in an innovation. With four production lines, it will be the first time that bags will be produced in partnership with Luz da Lua, which has created two models especially for this fair.
The Concept Factory will also have two big names from the Brazilian industry - Calçados Ramarim, producing a sandal model and a casual sneaker from the Comfortflex brand; and Calçados Bompel, which will produce four models of footwear classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as the Senai Footwear School, with two models of women's sneakers. Over the three days of the fair, a total of 1,600 pairs of shoes and 80 bags will be produced. Part of the products produced will go to organizations that develop social actions and projects in the region.
In a 1,300 square meter-space, the project will involve 70 companies, including footwear and handbag manufacturers, machinery and equipment manufacturers, suppliers of components and materials and production management systems, among others. In addition, the Concept Factory will have around 100 people in production, including Senai Footwear students and workers from the participating brands. The project also hires market professionals especially for the fair - and often this participation turns into an opportunity to get a new job.
SERVICE
Event: 47th Fimec (International Fair of Leather, Chemicals, Components, Machines and Equipment for Footwear and Tanneries)
Date: March 12-14, 2024
Hours: 1PM to 8PM
Venue: Fenac | 3825, Nações Unidas Avenue - Bairro Ideal - Novo Hamburgo/RS, Brazil
Registration: free registration for sector professionals through the website www.fimec.com.br . Professional fair - children under 14 are not allowed.
Organized by: Fenac Experiências Conectam
Presentation: Sicredi Pioneira
Sponsors: Covestro, Transduarte, Ambiente Verde Indústria and Henkel
Support: Abicalçados, Abqtic, Abrameq, ACI-NH/CB/EV/DI, Aicsul, Assintecal, CICB, IBTeC and Sebrae/RS
