中文SIMAC Tanning Tech 2026 Draws 8,800-Plus Visitors, Up 25% as Machinery Makers Bet on Tech
The leather and footwear machinery sector gathered in force this September as SIMAC Tanning Tech 2026 posted a 25% jump in attendance, drawing more than 8,800 visitors to its 52nd edition at Fiera Milano Rho. Organised by Assomac and staged alongside Lineapelle, MICAM and MIPEL, the fair confirmed that — even amid a cautious market — tanneries and manufacturers are still investing in the technology that will define the next cycle.
The numbers tell a story of an industry leaning into innovation rather than retreating from it.
Internationalisation as the engine
Held from 15 to 17 September, the event attracted visitors from more than 20 countries, with international attendance accounting for roughly half the total. International exhibitors, brands and innovative organisations made up around 30% of those showing, again drawn from more than 20 countries. When the co-located events are counted together, total visitor flows at SIMAC Tanning Tech exceeded 11,500.
That international mix is no accident. “The internationalisation of our industry is a key driver for competitiveness,” said Mauro Bergozza, President of Assomac. “SIMAC Tanning Tech is the place where demand, technology and businesses meet.” For machinery makers, the fair remains the most efficient arena to present new equipment, meet professionals and deepen relationships across borders.
What was on show
The latest edition showcased machinery, digital solutions and other technologies for the leather, footwear and fashion industries, giving visitors a concentrated look at new production methods. The themes tracked the sector’s pressing priorities: automation to offset labour costs and skill shortages, digitalisation to tighten quality and traceability, and cleaner process technologies to satisfy environmental demands from brands and regulators alike.
For tanneries, the calculus is straightforward. Environmental compliance, energy costs and the push for consistent quality are forcing upgrades regardless of the macroeconomic mood. A fair like SIMAC is where suppliers and processors close the gap between ambition and capability.
A positive signal in a cautious year
The organisers noted that the strong turnout and international participation reflect SIMAC’s enduring role as a meeting point for technology companies, manufacturers and industry professionals. In a year when footwear demand has been uneven and promotional pressure intense, a 25% rise in attendance is a meaningful counter-signal: the capital-expenditure conversation has not gone quiet.
It also hints at where the leather industry’s competitive battle will be won. As margins compress and sustainability scrutiny intensifies, the tanneries and factories that adopt smarter, cleaner, more automated processes will be the ones that survive the squeeze — and the ones premium brands want in their supply chains.
The next edition of SIMAC Tanning Tech is set for 14 to 16 September 2027. If this year’s momentum is any guide, Milan will again be where the machinery of the future of leather is unveiled.
Source: Leather News (leathernews.org)
