Mambretti and Other Companies Close
September 1, 2009
COMO, Italy - Mambretti Filippo Spa Tessitura Jacquards, one of the largest upholstery weaving mills in Italy, has closed its doors after doing business for over 88 years.
The mill has a lengthy family history;The president of the firm, Filippo Mambretti, died suddenly at the age of 60 on December 3, 2007 but he was the third Mambretti to oversee the business as his grandfather had founded the firm in 1920. Filippo's children, Emanuele, 33, and Laura, 23, continued the mill's legacy until it closed this past July.
Mambretti operated in a 10,000-square-meter factory and warehouse with about 100 employees who dedicated their efforts to export, with an annual turnover once reported at more than $25 million.
One seasoned observer of the Italian weaving industry commented on the closing: "The situation in Europe is dramatic, especially for the old companies. The economic situation in Europe is bad, with very few houses being built, poor demand for furniture and consequently no upholstery business. Secondly, most of these suppliers have problems obtaining new credit facilities from the banks," he lamented.
Rigo, another renowned Italian weaver has also failed, but it is not known if another company has continued in its stead or not. While several Italian weavers considered taking over Rigo, at press time it could not be determined if Rigo continues in new hands.
Several other Italian and Spanish weavers were rumored to be on the cusp of closing prior to MoOD, but it has yet to be confirmed. It seems that in general, the fabric business is slow in Europe and the USA, although fabric wholesalers insist there are early signs of improving conditions, bolstering optimism for the future health of the industry.
The mill has a lengthy family history;The president of the firm, Filippo Mambretti, died suddenly at the age of 60 on December 3, 2007 but he was the third Mambretti to oversee the business as his grandfather had founded the firm in 1920. Filippo's children, Emanuele, 33, and Laura, 23, continued the mill's legacy until it closed this past July.
Mambretti operated in a 10,000-square-meter factory and warehouse with about 100 employees who dedicated their efforts to export, with an annual turnover once reported at more than $25 million.
One seasoned observer of the Italian weaving industry commented on the closing: "The situation in Europe is dramatic, especially for the old companies. The economic situation in Europe is bad, with very few houses being built, poor demand for furniture and consequently no upholstery business. Secondly, most of these suppliers have problems obtaining new credit facilities from the banks," he lamented.
Rigo, another renowned Italian weaver has also failed, but it is not known if another company has continued in its stead or not. While several Italian weavers considered taking over Rigo, at press time it could not be determined if Rigo continues in new hands.
Several other Italian and Spanish weavers were rumored to be on the cusp of closing prior to MoOD, but it has yet to be confirmed. It seems that in general, the fabric business is slow in Europe and the USA, although fabric wholesalers insist there are early signs of improving conditions, bolstering optimism for the future health of the industry.
