SW: What is the core strength of Macpi?
Paolo: The Macpi brand is in the market since 1961, when we started with a single company, Macpi Spa Pressing Division, to become a very strong Group with leadership position in the production of ‘Total Solutions’ for the Garment Industry. Actually the group covers, with its associated companies, all the main products needed in the garment factories in the cutting and finishing departments. The Macpi Spa division specialises in the production of fusing and pressing machines while IMA Spa, established in 1977, is as worldwide leader in the production of Complete Systems for the cutting rooms, and FIMAS Srl, established in 1986, offers a wide and flexible range of finishing equipments for the laundry unit.
SW: What is the winning strategy for the Group?
Paolo: The policy adopted by Macpi to establish ‘fully equipped’ branches in key areas, in order to be always closer to our customers and agents, has been a winning strategy for the Group. In today’s competitive environment, swift action on customer needs is a must. With offices in all key markets, the aim is to anticipate service and solutions granting a constant presence in the market. China and India are our biggest focus areas since 1991 due to their strategic importance in the region.
The other critical point is the collaboration of winning partnerships that we have been able to establish in China, India and of course, in other countries, which have supported our efforts. Speaking about winning partnerships, I wish to highlight our partnership with Viraf Turel with whom we are looking to consolidate our position.
SW: What is your set up in the Indian market?
Paolo: In 2004, Macpi Group entered India directly though our association with the market started in the early ‘90s. The need for the office was based on our reading of a great potential of the market in the future. So we opened a direct office to closely follow the needs of our Indian customers and to support in a better and faster way our local Agent E.H. Turel & Company. In the process we have created a highly skilled and experienced Macpi team. The great response of the Indian market has proved that our choice was correct and the results exceeded our best expectations!!!
SW: Any special strategy for the IMA brand?
There is a need by our customers to continuously upgrade to remain always more competitive in terms of quality and price compared to their Chinese competitors. Most of them have already invested for their sewing and finishing rooms, but they still have to invest in cutting technology to save huge amounts of money by way of fabrics and cutting room management. Realising the critical opportunity that this creates, we are looking to consolidate our IMA team and make it as strong as the Macpi technical and sales team is.
IMA has a 30 years long history perfectly matching with the philosophy of Macpi Group, which is once again based on offering a constant service to our customers everywhere in the world. And this is our simple commitment for the future!
SW: With your direct entry into the country, what is the role of your agent E.H. Turel?
Ever since we entered the country, E.H. Turel & Company has given us the best possible platform to market and sell high-tech products providing appropriate service to the customers in line with what Macpi Group is used to providing to all its customers worldwide. I consider E.H.Turel & Company the ideal partner for the new challenge to support the IMA brand name in India and develop it as an appreciated technology for the Indian garment factories.
To conclude, I would like to comment on some rumours that have recently arisen around the IMA name, unfortunately spreading confusion. I wish to reassure our customers (and potential customers) that only the Sales Organisations of Macpi India and E.H. Turel & Company are authorised by the Macpi Group Management to deal with any IMA products for both Sales & Service.
