| In addition to snap buttons (plastic or metallic), which is our concern in this section, Fornimaq offers a wide range of products to the clothes-making sector: buttons, buckles, lines belts, brackets, eyelets, rivets and clasps for lined buckles, all of which are sold under various brand names including Thomas Walker, Klikit-Scovill, Astor, Unsine-Union and Dot, in addition to their own FNQ.
Product characteristics
Ana Rojas is the director of this company, and she tells us about the various snap button models in their catalogue. “Spikes, S-springs, standard radial and large radial by FNQ, and the Dot brand name snap buttons”, she points out. Then she details that materials used in the manufacture include tin, iron, stainless steel, polyacetal and nylon. The references cater to the clothes-making sector, though also to the nautical industry and industrial sectors in general, in addition to outdoors textiles (decoration, advertisement bills and awnings). The clothes-making sector is the main consumer for large-size eyelets and snap buttons, brackets and other binding systems. Snap buttons are “currently favoured by the latest fashion trends”, states our interviewee. What are the most remarkable changes in snap buttons over the past few seasons? Ana Rojas says that, “Snap buttons are currently not just a functional, basic item, but have become an application that is also regarded as an ornament”.
Sales network
For Fornimaq, 90% of their clients are local, and only 5% of their production goes to exportation markets. Ana Rojas comments that, “we need to keep an eye on smaller, pocket-size markets within the larger national market, for these emerge from the de-localization of production to foreign countries. As to international markets, we are trying to increase our presence step by step.” This is why the company takes part in trade shows, as a means of contacting new foreign clients. Trade shows and international events are an extraordinary means for Fornimaq to show their products and they also take part at trade shows where their suppliers are present.
Standardized products are delivered almost immediately, ranging from 24 to 48 hours in the case of Fornimaq, so the company is able to server orders very quickly.
Current market situation
We asked the Director of Fornimaq to tell us about her opinion on current market circumstances. “Evidently, de-localization of clothes-making activities to other countries is greatly affecting our sector, though we also need to point out that our laws cause a number of problems for our companies, as products manufactured in foreign countries are literally flooding our markets. The media is also telling us of actions that Brussels is planning, but while we wait for results, our sector’s situation worsens by the day”. When asked about the importance of investing in D + I, she says, “placing our stakes in D + I means we have a solid backup that will help us better face the future, though evidently it depends on the type of company and may not be thought to be a general principle for all”. At the end of our interview, she comments, “our main goal at present is that of maintaining our presence in markets”.
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