German chemical group Rudolf has recently inaugurated Hub 1922, in Busto Arsizio, a town in the north of Milan known to be former textile pole of Italy.
The newly established company based in Via Zappellini 5, occupies what once were the headquarters of a historic textile manufacturer from 1800s, Stefano Grassi. The aim of this operation is to create a new pole where German technology and Italian creativity can merge and offer high-tech, innovation driven and environmentally friendly solutions for jeans and fashion products. The idea to establish these premises near to Milan, a crucial destination for international fashion brands, is among the group’s future evolution aims.
Rudolf is a leading company in textile chemicals founded in 1922. It employs about 1,300 people and operates in 45 countries worldwide and registers yearly sales around €280 million. It is specialized in developing innovative and high-quality chemicals, mostly textile auxiliaries, products for textile care and construction chemicals, mainly for treating yarns and textiles.
This hub wants to become the fashion division of the group and offer new solutions to be employed for custom-made finishings and treatments on garments. It hopes to establish collaborations with brands and international retailers and develop new ideas and projects in finishing and treating garments.
“Nothing is more global than a piece of clothing,” said Wolfgang Anton Schumann, CEO, Rudolf Group. “In the past all that was based upon chemistry and engineering. Now we understand we have to involve the consumer always more. By opening this hub we want to become an innovation partner who can collaborate with its partners, share different cultures, though also offer more.”
The 1,000-sq.-meter hub hosts a showroom area presenting garments treated with Rudolf chemicals, though also a fully equipped area hosting, among others, washing and laser machines and, in the future, it might also feature sewing machines. “Our aim is to make this place become a destination where clients can test our products, develop specific made-to-measure projects and, above all, where they want to return,” said Alberto De Conti, head of the fashion division, Rudolf Group. “Through this company we want to tell stories that can tie the brand and the chemical company–and Rudolph has much to offer as its R&D division has an extraordinary power in discovering new products and solutions.”
The company is now starting this first step offering substances for treating jeans, though more projects are in store. “Our first step will focus on denim garments processing. Though secondly, very probably starting from the second half of 2019, we want to concentrate on treating outdoor and sportswear garments, too. Fashion cares for functionality, though performance and outdoor apparel are missing a fashion aspect. Our aim is to introduce fashion elements in sportswear and outdoor,” continued De Conti.
The new division will also focus on developing eco-friendly solutions. “Many Rudolf Group products are already granted with key certifications including Bluesign and GÖTS, among others. Our effort will continue in this direction also through Hub 1922,” said Schumann explaining that they have already planned a series of workshops with key insiders of the jeanswear market based in Europe, the US and Pakistan, among others.
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