Cirillo Marcolin reconfirmed as chairman of Anfao and Mido
Cirillo Marcolin will remain at the head of Anfao, the Italian Association of Manufacturers of Optical Products, and will be the chairman of Mido, the International Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology Exhibition, for the next two years.
The appointment was far from unexpected, as confirmed by the large number of votes (731 out of 735).
The annual meeting which took place on July, 20 at Longarone (Belluno), also elected 4 vice-chairmen: Callisto Fedon (Fedon), Dan Levi (Visibilia), Cyrille de Montvalon (Essilor) and Enrico Tormen (Look Occhiali).
As Cirillo Marcolin has been confirmed as chairman, the past chairman for the next two years will continue to be Vittorio Tabacchi (Safilo).
The meeting also appointed Anfao's new Board of Directors and 10 directors for the next two years. The new directors are:
Michele Aracri - De Rigo
Paolo Baiocchi - Intercast
Elena Berton - Arlecchino
Rodolfo Costan - Ioves
Valter Da Rin - Trenti
Giannino Lorenzon - Safilo
Mario Mella - Luxottica
Paolo Seminara - Italian Style
Renato Sopracolle - Occhialeria Sopracolle
Silvio Vecellio Reane - Allison
Mido's Board of Directors consists of:
Nicola Del Din - Pramaor
Stefano Larcher - GB Occhialeria
Cesare Massaccesi - Joint Project
Cristiano Milone - Mirage
In his speech, the new president, re-elected with a large majority, wished to underline the essential points for re-launching the sector at international level, pointed out again the importance of continuity with the past and, in the light of the present economic situation, reiterated his determination to pursue a competitive promotional program at international level for Italian eyewear.
'Today's challenge', Marcolin explained, 'is the management of transactions and therefore strong and capable supranational associations are needed, in Europe first of all, because in the future only Europe will be large enough to compete with the other economic giants'.
What recipe did the new chairman propose? 'In order to react', Marcolin explained, 'as well as promoting and defending Made in Italy, especially by large companies, it is more than ever a necessity to conquer new markets in China, India, Eastern Europe, Russia, Brazil and Turkey'. Moreover 'To do this' Marcolin continued, 'we must have the courage to implement the most suitable strategies, even starting with production internationalization which today allows large Italian companies to compete at top levels, to maintain important levels of production in Italy for top-of-the-range products, together with design, planning and quality control, and at the same time guarantee good employment levels in Italy. But we must also consider', he added, 'the aggregation of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the districts that are most affected by the crisis and which need taxation tools in order to develop'.
In this climate of challenge, he continued, the role of the Italian Association of Manufacturers of Optical Products is essential. 'Anfao must increasingly encourage concrete actions aimed at increasing and improving competitiveness and internationalization for our enterprises and supporting innovation', Marcolin underscored. As regards internationalization, the sector agreement with the Ministry for Manufacturing Activities continues to play a key role 'thanks to which important initiatives were set up for Made in Italy eyewear on the world fashion runways, from Paris to Moscow, from Shanghai to New York'. And, in the next few days, a new agreement is about to be signed with the aim of promoting Italian eyewear throughout the world.
Also Mido, the International Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology Exhibition, has an essential role in the activities scheduled for 2005-2007: 'It has been confirmed as the most important Fair in our segment', Marcolin stated, 'it is a primary tool in order to promote our companies'. Because of this strategic economic role, in the next few years Mido can count on a successful team, as was demonstrated by the great success of recently introduced events: Mido Sport, Mido Kids and Mido Education, which have become the jewels in the crown of the fair itself. It will also be 'essential in 2007 to transfer Mido to the new Fiera Rho-Pero', Marcolin concluded. 'Therefore, we must start working now to fully promote the potential offered by this transfer'.
Last, but not least, the appeal against counterfeiting and reference to the Memorandum of Understanding signed April last with the Customs Agency, the Ministry for Manufacturing Activities and Certottica, 'we must all be committed to making this agreement operational and to finally achieve the much-hoped for results'. It is with this spirit of participation and hope that the new president has initiated his new appointment: 'I hope that you will want to renew your active participation in the Association, a necessary condition in order to achieve the objectives. A task which does not necessarily pertains to Council and the Board, but which should stimulate everyone'.
