Marko, Baldinini to invest ?15 million in joint project

VITEBSK, 19 March (BelTA) - The Belarusian footwear manufacturer Marko and Italian Baldinini have signed the cooperation agreement, BelTA learnt from Marko Director General Nikolai Martynov. In line with the agreements reached in July-August 2009, Marko’s factory San Marko is expected to start manufacturing high-quality leather footwear under Baldinini’s supervision. Before that Belarusian specialists will get on-the-job training in Italy. The Italian company will provide all the patterns and documents for the footwear models. According to Nikolai Martynov, the sides decided to produce elite footwear using Bravo trademark. The new trademark has been already registered. The Marko-Baldinini joint project is expected to be implemented within two years. The sides are ready to invest ?15 million in it. In 2010, the San Marko factory will make about 100,000 pairs of elite footwear. In 2011, the footwear factory is expected to produce the same volume. The Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 Bravo collection will include 100 models of men’s and women’s (80%) footwear designed in Italy. The Italian and Belarusian companies had also agreed to promote Bravo footwear to the Russian market. A half of the produced footwear will be exported to Russia. The Belarusian footwear manufacturer Marko is one of the largest footwear makers in Belarus. The company comprises about ten enterprises, including three footwear factories. In 2009 Marko turned out 3.5 million pairs of footwear, 452,000 more than in 2008. In 2010 the company plans to raise the output up to 4 million. The company exports over half of the make to Russia. Marko was founded in 1991 and employs over 3,000 people. Baldinini was founded in the Italian town San Mauro Pascoli in 1910. It offers high-quality leather footwear at medium and top prices for men and women as well as leather accessories. Baldinini products boast an exquisite design and are believed to be some of the most prestigious footwear in Europe and the world. The company’s turnover averages close to ?50 million per annum. The company employs over 300 people and exports 80% of the make. It has a monobrand distribution chain in the CIS states and Eastern Europe.

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