Bimitex Says Bigger is Not Better But Improving Process, Enjoying Life is Tops!
May 17, 2016
LAKE COMO, Italy — Riccardo Biagioni started the Italian mill Bimitex in Prato in 1991 as a vertical mill doing warping, weaving, finishing and quality control and today, it is one of the larger weavers with sales in the $20 million range with 47 employees and 40 looms according to Franco Nannucci, the U.S. agent and good friend of the owner.
Franco Nannucci and Riccardo Biagioni
Based on his textile DNA and with no formal training, Riccardo started in Biagioni Milano, his father’s business in 1983 but that business closed and Riccardo reinvented himself with Bimitex.
Biagioni and Nannucci were friends from childhood in Prato when they became young DJ’s in high school and the pair co-sponsored the big party at TAG (Big and Bald) in Como during Proposte this year (See cover shot of Nannucci)
Riccardo has no goal to increase the business size as he feels it is big enough but he wants to improve the process and he wants to enjoy his life, which includes working with his customers very closely. He works with his design team of two designers for yarn dyed and two for piece dyed using the customers’ designs primarily
The customer buys two-piece minimums on a custom collection from Bimitex in yarn dyed or piece dyed residential product. “We have a limited in-stock program. Quickness is everything in this business
Like many in Prato, Bimitex relies on others to piece dye his primarily custom line. He works closely with his customers on the design of linens, viscose constructions with novelty warps. The mill is upholstery driven in the 12-18 Euro range, the core of the line. Prices can go as high as 25-40 Euro and middle to upper jobbers buy the line. It is not for furniture manufacturers according to Nannucci.
The largest export markets for Bimitex are UK, UASA, Spain and France in that order followed by Germany and Benelux.
Riccardo Biagioni is also one of three partners in a converting business by the name of Anteprima, also in Prato that started in 1999 catering to the jobber and furniture manufacturer.
Riccardo and Eva Biagioni
His other partners in ‘Anteprima’ are: Enrico Piazza and Moreno Meoni.
Franco Nannucci and Riccardo BiagioniRiccardo Biagioni is also one of three partners in a converting business by the name of Anteprima, also in Prato that started in 1999 catering to the jobber and furniture manufacturer.
Riccardo and Eva Biagioni
