Italy: Albini Group, a historic textile manufacturer, is pivoting towards growth with the appointment of CEO Pierluigi Fusco Girard. As it navigates market challenges, the company emphasises sustainability and innovation, set to unveil a new capsule collection at Milano Unica while tracking future trends and opportunities.
The Albini Group, an esteemed Italian textile manufacturer known for its production of high-quality fabrics and yarns, is embarking on a strategic growth initiative under the leadership of newly appointed CEO Pierluigi Fusco Girard. The company has been in operation since 1876 and has roots in Albino, near Bergamo, but has expanded globally, including production facilities in Egypt, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
In a recent discussion with Stefano Albini, the president of the group and a descendant of the founding family, Albini Group’s performance and future direction were outlined. Despite a difficult landscape characterized by declining consumption and challenges in key markets such as China, the company reported a robust sales figure of €160 million for the previous year, along with an increase in orders projected for 2025. Albini expressed optimism about the ongoing fiscal year, anticipating a recovery, particularly in the latter half of 2024.
Fusco Girard’s appointment follows the conclusion of the previous CEO’s tenure and is regarded as a vital move to invigorate the company’s growth strategy. His track record at the Marzotto Group, where he distinguished himself in the cotton and linen sectors, has positioned him as an ideal figure to lead Albini into its next phase. Albini remarked, “We expect to achieve with him such goals as growth, margin improvement and optimal management of production capacity and personnel.”
Currently, Albini Group produces around 8.5 million metres of fabric annually, with a comprehensive approach to managing its supply chain from raw materials to finished products. The company is engaged in ongoing partnerships that ensure close oversight of procurement and production processes. Although Albini acknowledged the cautious outlook for the market following the post-COVID resurgence, he mentioned positive indicators from both the Chinese and American markets, despite Europe facing more significant hurdles.
Another critical area of focus for the group is traceability, a factor that is increasingly vital for manufacturers and consumers alike. According to Albini, “Every product is already tracked, thanks to a dedicated office that manages audits, chemical aspects and more.” The company is testing software designed to enhance data collection for its Digital Product Passport project, although challenges remain regarding the standardisation of tracking systems globally.
In recent seasons, Albini has introduced fabrics derived from sustainable sources, including Biofusion yarns produced from cotton cultivated under regenerative agriculture practices. The company’s Albini Next division aims to foster collaborations between the textile sector and research institutions, exploring innovations in natural dyes and new material sources such as Kapok, a fibre from South America.
At the upcoming Milano Unica trade fair, Albini Group is set to debut a new capsule collection named Albini Studio, which reflects evolving market trends and consumer demands for distinctive, high-quality fabrics. This collection, inspired by the Bauhaus movement, seeks to celebrate experimentation and interdisciplinary approaches in textile production.
The group’s commitment to innovation is also evident in its newly restyled branding, which has been designed to enhance the perceived value of Albini’s products. It includes three distinct categories—Albiate 1830 for sports fabrics and denim, Albini 1876 catering to contemporary Italian styles, and Thomas Mason for premium English-inspired fabrics. Each brand has retained its identity while the overarching Albini Group brand has undergone a revamp, signalling a renewed focus on quality and craftsmanship.
As Albini Group navigates through a landscape replete with challenges and opportunities, the leadership transition and strategic initiatives hint at a promising future for this longstanding textile producer.
Source: Noah Wire Services
