Leading trade fair FIMAST (International Textile Machinery and Accessories Trade Show) will be opening its doors to the industry from 17-20 September in the city Brescia in Northern Italy, where it hopes to prove that the Italian and European hosiery machine building industry is still a dynamic force to be reckoned with and that the Brescia based exhibition is a viable and desirable alternative to FAST which ceased to exist after it was last held in 2005.

FIMAST is a specialised trade fair being held at the Fiera di Brescia (Brescia Trade Fair) which will have a particular emphasis on technologies for the production of socks and hosiery. Organisers say that FIMAST means ‘living close to new trends, new markets and world leading specialists in the field for four days’.

FIMAST 2014 will show the very best of the textile sector to trade members, international buyers, designers and stylists who work with the most important fashion brands that look forward to learning more about the latest industrial technologies.

According to organisers FIMAST is the most important event in order to get contacts and new solutions for a more economical and creative production in Italy: the heart of European production tradition,” organisers say.

FIMAST’s exhibitors include companies and organisations involved in the production of:

Preparatory machines, winders, thread covering machines, yarns and hosiery accessories, polyamide threads, bare elastomeric threads, elastomeric covered threads, wool yarns, cotton yarns, other fibre yarns, circular hosiery knitting machines, single cylinder machine for woman stockings, circular knitting machines, single cylinder machine with needles in the dial, knitting machines for the production of seamless apparel, double cylinder machines for stockings, linking, sewing and assembling machines, linking machines, sewing machines, tights assembly machines, dyeing and finishing machines, dyeing machines, boarding machines, ironing machines, packaging machines and accessories, labelling and marking machines, packing machines, machines accessories, control and computer systems, needles, sinkers, feeders, cad/cam systems, testing and measuring equipment, services, associations, trade press.

Most of the leading industry suppliers are expected to exhibit which include:

Agostoni, Artur Moench, Autotex Italia, Beschi Oscar, Bicchierai, Boggiani Renato, BSE, BTSR International, Busi Giovanni, Christoph Liebers, Colosio, Cubotex, Dakong, Eneas Informatica, Fadis, Fimatex, Knitting Service, Martex, Merz Maschinen Fabrik, Nagata Seiki, Nuova Irmac Tex, Off.Meccanica Dora Enrico, Ratti Luino, Rimoldi & Cf, Rosso Industrie, Salzmann, Sandonini, Signal, Ships, Simet, SSM Scharer Schweiter Mettler, Technical & Textile Service, Tecniche Nuove, Tregisistemi, Triveneta Grande Impianti, Textile Service Centre, Vartex, W.Zimmermann.

An App will also be introduced to help visitors get around the exhibition and let exhibitors gather contact information from visitors. Every time a visitor enters a stand, exhibitors will be able to download their data reading their QR code with an IPhone or IPad. The app will be available for the download at the Apple Store shortly.

Brescia in Northern Italy and its surrounding area has always been one of the most important manufacturing centres for hosiery and sock manufacturing machinery as well as home to many internationally renowned producers of socks and hosiery.