Mission

A collective commitment to global competitiveness for Tuscan leather goods

Since 1993, the year of its foundation, the Consortium has operated as a coordination and representation structure for a selected group of companies in the Tuscan leather goods supply chain. It is not just an aggregator of businesses, but a strategic player created to support the growth of the sector, foster stable international relations and preserve a manufacturing heritage that represents one of the recognised excellences of Made in Italy.
In an economic context that is increasingly interconnected and competitive, the Consortium’s mission is
a genuine long-term development programme: to provide member companies with the tools,
opportunities and visibility they need to respond to changes in the global market without abandoning the core values
of Tuscan tradition.

Identity: the Tuscan supply chain as a value platform

The Consortium represents companies with different histories yet united by common elements:

• the central role of artisanal work;
• the use of selected, traceable materials;
• the ability to combine aesthetic research with traditional techniques;
• the ambition to compete in high-level international markets.

This shared identity is the foundation of our mission: to strengthen the global presence of Tuscan leather goods, supporting a production model based on quality, process sustainability and responsibility towards the local area.

Mission: promote, protect, innovate

The Consortium’s mission is built around three main pillars, which guide strategic choices and day-to-day activities:

1. Promoting authentic Made in Italy

To promote means far more than simply attending trade fairs: it means building a strong, credible image of Tuscan leather goods worldwide. The Consortium is committed to:

• coordinating companies’ presence at key international industry events;
• developing stable relationships with buyers, distributors and foreign institutions;
• supporting collective branding and integrated communication initiatives;
• highlighting the cultural and technical heritage that makes products made in Tuscany unique.

2. Protecting companies’ competitiveness

The Consortium provides concrete support in the face of the main challenges affecting the sector:

• increasing competition from emerging countries;
• the volatility of exchange rates and fluctuations in international markets;
• instability in exports to some traditional markets;
• the need to comply with new traceability and sustainability standards;
• technological and digital transformations impacting the entire supply chain.

Our aim is to ensure that member companies can address these challenges with appropriate tools, shared strategies and a level of representation capable of influencing decision-making forums.

3. Innovating processes, methods and opportunities

The Consortium promotes a culture of innovation that respects tradition while looking to the future. Its lines of action include:

• specialised training programmes to build new technical and digital skills;
• research projects on materials, sustainability and design;
• opening up to new commercial trajectories beyond traditional markets;
• support in adopting advanced communication, e-commerce and marketing tools.

The role of institutions: a strategic partnership

The Consortium’s mission is also fulfilled through structured cooperation with institutions that share the goal of strengthening the competitiveness of the Tuscan production system. Ongoing dialogue with:

• the Tuscany Region;
• Italian Trade Agency (ICE) for the promotion and internationalisation of Italian companies;
• the Florence Chamber of Commerce and Agenzia Metropoli;
• research bodies, trade associations and international organisations,

makes it possible to launch coordinated projects, multi-market internationalisation programmes, networking initiatives, sector analyses and actions that help guide the strategies of member companies.

A broad international vision

Founded in a context in which attention was focused particularly on the Japanese and U.S. markets, the Consortium has progressively expanded its scope. The current goal is not to focus on a single country, but to build a stable international presence capable of responding to global dynamics and economic fluctuations.
Activities include:

• coordinated participation in major trade fairs and events relevant to the sector;
• expanding into emerging and established markets within and beyond Europe;
• strengthening relationships with buyers from different geographical areas;
• targeted initiatives to promote Italian products where Made in Italy is on the rise.

Within this framework, Japan remains a key market, but one that is now part of a broader strategy that looks to new regions and new segments of international demand.

Future competitiveness: the challenges ahead

The European leather goods system has gone through a challenging phase, marked by:

• a decline in exports in some traditional markets;
• increasingly aggressive competition from emerging countries;
• unfavourable changes in exchange rates;
• a rise in production costs;
• growing demand for transparency, certifications and environmental sustainability.

In its role of service and guidance, the Consortium works to define a collective response to these transformations, strengthening companies’ resilience and keeping Tuscan leather goods competitive in international markets.

A community that grows together: the value of members

The Consortium’s mission is not limited to economic promotion. It is a commitment to a community of companies that share:

• a production style rooted in artisan know-how;
• a responsible approach to quality and attention to detail;
• the conviction that growth only has real meaning if it involves the entire local system.

Members are active players in this mission: they take part in projects, share experiences, support the supply chain and help build, together with the Consortium, a structure capable of representing them worldwide.

A mission oriented towards the future

We look to the future with a clear goal: to keep Tuscan leather goods at the centre of global markets, developing an internationalisation model that combines tradition, innovation and responsibility.
The Consortium will continue to work to:

• strengthen the reputation of Made in Italy in key markets;
• open up new business opportunities for member companies;
• support companies in their digitalisation and technological transformation processes;
• promote sustainability, traceability and certified quality along the entire supply chain;
• protect a manufacturing heritage that is both a cultural and an economic asset for the region.

This is our mission: to be a bridge between Tuscany and the world, providing local companies with the tools, vision and continuity they need to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.