After a transition process that began over a year and a half ago, Giulio Mandruzzato has been appointed as the new CEO of Gemata S.p.A., taking over from Gianni Maitan, who for over twenty-three years has guided the company’s growth with vision and expertise, making it a global benchmark in the leather finishing machinery sector.
Giulio Mandruzzato
“This appointment,” reads a statement from the company, “represents a natural step toward continuity and renewal, part of a broader process of governance evolution aimed at preparing Gemata for future challenges and consolidating its role as an international leader in line with the values that have always distinguished it: innovation, quality, and advanced technology.”
Under the leadership of Mr. Mandruzzato, Gemata is embarking on a new path of development and innovation, faithful to its tradition but with a vision open to change and the evolution of global markets.
Gianni Maitan will continue to be part of the group as Chairman of the Board of Directors, offering his experience in the development of new technological and innovation projects.
“An evolution in the name of continuity: together to write a new chapter in our history” they conclude from Gemata.
Garsport Srl, a Treviso-based company specializing in the design and production of technical footwear for safety and professional outdoor use, announces a capital increase to support the company’s new growth plan. This operation marks a strategic step for the company, which is preparing to further consolidate its position both domestically and internationally.
The entry of Roberto Giordani, founder of Montura and a leading figure in the European outdoor scene, into the capital represents the cornerstone of this new phase for Garsport. His industrial experience, combined with a deep understanding of international markets, will make a decisive contribution to the company’s strategic direction. In support of this vision, the capital strengthening will enable Garsport to more solidly pursue the development path outlined by management, which includes investments in innovation, restructuring and expansion of production capacity, and commercial expansion in areas with the highest potential.
“We are entering an important phase in our growth journey,” stated CEO Cristian Garbuio and General Manager Paolo Bruno. “Strengthening our financial structure will allow us to accelerate ongoing investments, while Roberto Giordani’s experience will offer a fundamental strategic contribution as we ambitiously address international markets.”
Giordani’s decision to join Garsport goes beyond financial considerations: he brings with him an industrial vision developed through the creation of one of the most recognized brands in the European outdoor sector. His arrival demonstrates confidence in the company’s potential and in the Garbuio family’s ability to lead a new phase of development.
“I chose to invest in Garsport because I recognize its history, its solid production capacity, and its attention to quality as the foundation for sustained and lasting growth,” stated Roberto Giordani. “I am convinced that together we can further enhance the brand and strengthen the company’s presence in key international markets.”
The capital increase is part of a growing professional outdoor and safety sector, markets increasingly oriented towards high-performance products: a field in which Garsport has operated for over fifty years with recognized expertise.
Cristian Garbuio (Garsport) with new partner Roberto Giordani
Digital Innovation & Surface Treatments: Digital printing emerges as a key technique, with pony skins featuring animalier motifs, suedes with pictorial designs, and camouflage effects. Laser technology creates intricate geometric patterns combined with hand-stitching, while embossed digital prints in relief add dimensional depth to leather surfaces.
Texture & 3D Effects: Materials embrace tactile richness through craquelé finishes, laminated surfaces with moiré prints, and multi-height micro-studs creating three-dimensional effects. Hand-buffed leathers with antiqued finishes in fashionable colours dominate, alongside tumbled cowhides with natural, uneven grains.
Sustainable Materials Revolution: Bio-circular innovations take center stage, with vegetable-tanned leathers using natural tannins from chestnut and mimosa. Hemp-based alternatives (VGHN) offer biodegradable, breathable options, while CoriumTex transforms chrome-tanned leather scraps into new materials with 75% leather waste and 22% recycled PET.
Color & Pattern: Winter palettes feature hand-painted exotic skins, pearlescent finishes, and metallic foils with aged crackle effects. Check patterns in thick woven wool, sequin-embellished tweeds, and melange recycled yarn blends add visual interest.
Technical Accessories: Nordic-inspired square lace locks, quick-release plastic components, and Tyrolean leather welts for winter footwear reflect the season’s blend of functionality and style.
Todesco officially joins the Gemata family. This operation marks a new phase in the history of the Creazzo (Vicenza) company, but also marks the beginning of a new era in the leather finishing technology sector that revolves around the Arzignano tanning district.
The stated objective of the move is to join forces between two complementary companies that will now work together, driving research and innovation, bringing value and quality to the global market. The aim is to create “an integrated platform capable of accelerating R&D, enriching customer solutions, and strengthening our global presence.”
“This union strengthens our evolutionary path by integrating complementary skills and a shared vision based on innovation and continuous development,” stated Giulio Mandruzzato, CEO of Gemata (Trissino, Vicenza). “Todesco’s entry into the group expands our technological offering not only in the world of natural leather, but also in synthetic materials, technical fabrics, and wood.”
“This step ushers in a new phase of our history, one that is even more solid, synergistic, and forward-looking,” added Paolo Todesco. “The synergy between Gemata’s technologies and Todesco’s excellence in leather finishing with spray technology creates new opportunities for the market and for everyone at both companies. For Todesco, this means further leveraging its technological DNA, expanding opportunities, and contributing to a shared project that ambitiously looks to the next generation of finishing systems.”
“We are ready to give it our all: two complementary businesses becoming one force, united by a common goal—to bring greater innovation, value, and quality to the global market,” concluded Paolo Todesco.
In the center Giulio Mandruzzato between the brothers Giorgio and Paolo Todesco
Brazilian meat giant JBS announced a few days ago that it had signed a binding memorandum of understanding with Viva shareholders to merge the two companies’ assets related to leather production and marketing.
In a statement to the stock exchange, JBS specified that the new company will be called JBS VIVA and will be 50% owned by JBS and 50% by Viva’s shareholders, namely Vanz Holding and Viposa.
The merger between JBS and Viva will therefore give rise to JBS Viva, a new Brazilian super-giant in the tanning sector. This operation is set to change the balance of the global leather market. The new company boasts 31 plants with over 11,000 employees in Brazil, Italy, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, and Vietnam and, according to initial statements, is expected to produce more than 20 million hides per year.
JBS Viva’s governance structure provides for JBS to appoint the chairman of the board of directors and the chief financial officer, while Viva’s shareholders will appoint the CEO and chief operating officer.
As of 30 September 2025, revenues amounted to Euro 54.1 million, down from Euro 57.6 million in the same period of 2024, while EBITDA stood at Euro 7.2 million, showing an increase compared to 30 September 2024 (Euro 7.0 million in the previous period), both in terms of EBITDA margin, which stood at 13.3% (12.2% on 30/09/2024). These are the data that give a picture of the consolidated management results of the first 9 months of 2025 of Industrie Chimiche Forestali S.p.A. (“ICF”), among the international reference operators in design, production and marketing of high-tech adhesives and fabrics, listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market of the Italian Stock Exchange.
As at 30 September 2025, the Net Financial Debt was approximately Euro 10.0 million, also an improvement compared to Euro 11.5 million on 30 June 2025, after extraordinary cash outs related to the purchase of own shares for Euro 5.3 million (of which Euro 4.4 million for the exercise of the Right to Sell provided by the Shareholders’ Meeting held on 8 January 2025 and Euro 0.9 million for the ordinary buy-back plan) and the payment of the dividend for Euro 1.2 million made in May. As of 30 September 2025, the free cash flow generated was therefore around Euro 3.0 million.
“The operational activity of Forestali proceeds inexorably despite the turbulent global economic environment – commented Guido Cami, President and CEO of ICF -. The footwear and leather industries suffer from the slowdown in final consumption while the auto sectors, Flexible packaging and industrial applications maintain vibrancy by almost fully compensating for missing volumes. Market diversification rewards and allows us to consolidate good economic and financial results. The budget investment plan is being implemented. In October and November we are also aligned with the performance of the first nine months of the financial year”.
The first part of 2025 closes with the confirmation of a slight overall increase (+1%) in the slaughter volumes of adult cattle in the monitored areas (EU, Americas, Oceania). The specific variation of the European area (-3%) is always negative, with rare exceptions at the level of individual countries (positive sign only in Ireland and Poland). Outside Europe, there is a contraction in the USA and a contraction in the USA and New Zealand, while Brazil and Australia show a positive trend (stable in Argentina).
A decidedly negative half-year for the slaughter of calves (-10% compared to 2024) at global level. Europe shows an overall decrease in line with the general variation and negative data in all major producer countries. The US appears to be in free fall, and only the ocean countries are showing positive trends.
The overall picture of sheep slaughtering is down by 5% in the first half of 2025, with some recovery trend in the European Union, but the general figure remains down (-5%) and all major producer countries show declines (double digit in France). Only positive sign in the UK and USA, negative sign in Australia and New Zealand.
Although there are still differentiated trends in the leather results of the main producer countries in the first half of the year, in general a negative sign continues to prevail and uncertainty does not seem to slow down. The average trend is slightly less suffering for small skins (bovine and ovine aprons) than for medium-large cows. Although the overall picture for the six-month period remains varied, ovicaprines recorded interesting quarterly increases in Italy, France and India.
Accessories and components sector
In the first half of 2025, compared to the same period of 2024, the six-month trend for accessories and components appears rather gloomy: the fall in Italian and German exports plunges the EU average (-5%), with all major EU producers falling outside of Romania. All sectors of the industry suffer, without exception.
In the second half of 2025, the difficulties of the sector persist, with the European average falling by 6% compared to 2024. Widespread and generalized losses are reported in all sectors of the sector, with no major exceptions.
Textiles and synthetics
In the first half of 2025 compared to the same period of 2024 we find a reality made of lights and shadows. The slowdown of major European producers is a negative factor, despite the resilience of Italians and Portuguese. The trend of the segments reflects the overall performance, where declines in synthetic fibre fabrics are accompanied by a stagnant synthetic result. Well, instead, the regenerated leather fibers, which appears to be on the rise.
Regarding the second semester, there is opacity for the sector despite the reduction of losses in Germany and Spain which, after the disappointing results of the first quarter of 2025, are confirmed to decline also in the second quarter of the year. Uneven the picture by compartments: good the trend of regenerated, discrete performance of synthetic, bad the fabrics of synthetic and artificial fibers.
Footwear sector
The half-yearly comparison shows mixed results for European footwear (-3%). The French and Italians are in trouble, while the Spaniards limit the damage. Difficulties for Turkey. Stable results for China and Mexico. New dynamism for the Brazilians. Rise for India and Vietnam.
The result of the EU footwear sector in the second quarter of the year is coloured red, with declines becoming more marked and widespread. Beyond the borders of Europe, Turkey and China are also suffering. Flat the trend of Brazilians and Mexicans. Rise for Vietnam and India.
Leather goods sector
In the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, the cumulative partial confirms the signals from previous quarters, with all major EU producers of leather goods in deep red and even double-digit declines for Italians. Positive signs, however, for Turkish leather goods, which appears to be expanding, and Indian. Uncertainty for China and Pakistan, the latter in negative stability.
There is no peace in EU leather goods, which closes the second quarter of the year down 6% on the same period of 2024 and with heavy declines widespread in all major European countries. The extra-EU picture is also weak, with the exceptions of Turkey (+7%) and India (stable).
Change of course for Stahl. A year ago, it announced the sale of its wet end Division to European investment fund Syntagma Capital, now announces that it is renouncing the agreement and intends to proceed independently with the separation of its leather-related activities.
The decision is linked to the current negative market conditions, which have made the terms of sale less favorable for Stahl, which has therefore chosen to withdraw from the agreement.
Xavier Rafols
The new plan is for Stahl’s wet end Division to become a completely independent company operating under a new brand name, Muno. It will be led by CEO Xavier Rafols, currently head of Stahl’s Leather Chemicals group, who will lead the team of leather industry experts in continuing to support customers worldwide with innovative solutions.
The spin-off is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which both companies will operate as completely independent entities.
By separating the businesses, Stahl intends to double its efforts on coatings for fast-growing sectors such as high-performance materials and packaging. At the same time, it offers Muno a fresh start as an independent company in the leather processing chemicals sector.
The global reference event for sportswear and outdoor activities is focusing on a total revamp starting in the new year, with a new venue, the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam, replacing the traditional location in Munich, a four-week advance on the calendar, and a new concept.
The partners have announced an investment programme worth €3 million.
The British company Raccoon will take the lead, while Messe München will be a strategic partner with the aim of revitalising and streamlining the event in light of changes in the global market and the new needs of exhibitors and visitors.
According to the organisers, companies that choose the new Ispo will benefit from a more convenient date and an exhibition venue that is easily accessible internationally, with particular reference to the North American market. “With the strategic reorientation of Ispo, we are growing our leading trade fair, rich in tradition, in a targeted and effective manner.
“We are seeing strong demand for a platform that promotes innovation, exchange and business opportunities,” said Harald Kirchschlager, Executive Director of Corporate Strategy & Development at Messe München, in an interview with TextilWirtschaft. Thanks to our collaboration with Raccoon Media Group, we are strengthening this vision and ensuring that the transformation continues to be driven by the needs of our customers and the entire sports and outdoor industry”.
PrimaLoft, Inc., the global leader in sustainable, high-performance insulation, continues to advance its Relentlessly Responsible™ mission with the launch of PrimaLoft® ReRun™, a proprietary technology platform designed to break the linear consumption model.
PrimaLoft® ReRun™ transforms textile waste into sustainable, high-performance insulation, using both mechanical and regenerative recycling processes to transform waste fabrics into PrimaLoft® insulation. The mechanical process uses recovered textile waste, shredding and blending it with PrimaLoft® fibres to create one-of-a-kind insulation products. The regenerative process breaks down waste fabrics at the molecular level before transforming them into insulation that meets the highest performance standards.
The ReRun™ platform is launching with two initial products: ThermoPlume® – a loose-fill insulation blend that translates into a flowy, down-like silhouette for versatile styling. – and Silver – featuring soft, thin fibres that offer excellent thermal efficiency for lightweight warmth and versatility.
