The VIGEVANO EXPORT CONSORTIUM was established on October 15, 1981, as a non-profit organization thanks to the will of the entrepreneurs from the Vigevanese Industriali Association (AVI).

AVI is an association dedicated to the promotion of small and medium sized companies (industrial, artisanal or sales) operating in Vigevano, Italy. Vigevano is a territory that has an industrial vocation, that has always been oriented towards commerce abroad. Read more about Vigevano and its history.

The model of Consortium has proved an ideal instrument in promoting a spirit of associaton finalized towards the internationalization of small and medium sized businessses. The Consortium has been active since its conception in sustaining and up holding that companies that belong to the association, providing assistance in their process of internationalization. The organization was known as "Footwear Consortium of Vigevano" until 1987, this was when small and medium sized companies belonging to the accessories and footwear machinery sectors of the industry also became part of the organization. In short, all businesses making up the leather industry, the specialty trade of the Vigevano district were members of this Consortium.

Born of the necessity of confronting the internationalization process, the VIGEVANO EXPORT CONSORTIUM using the organization as an instrument, gave those small and medium sized businesses that it was compromised of the opportunity to become present simultaneously on several markets, while at the same time become more competetive in respect to those operating on their own.

Presently 56 companies make up Vigevano Export, consisting of three sectors gravitating around the leather industry. The activities of Vigevano Export Consortium center principally around the organization itself along with the coordination of trade fairs and missions. This allows its member companies to participate in events that otherwise would be difficult to reach on their own. With the help of the Consortium, these activities are easily attainable with reduced costs.

Besides offering continuous aide in resolving small and large problems inherent in internationalization, Vivegano Export also eases the way for its member companies by providing many services. Some services include organizing product shipments, making travel arrangements to trade fair events, along with providing consultancy in analyzing and selecting future markets, as well as providing research of new markets.

The Vigevano Export Consortium has always concrete, operative, fast and focused services. these services are provided to its member companies thanks to the various form of financing the association receives, based on its status as a Consortium. This status has allowed to reach important objectives, giving a large number of companies the possibility to grow with maximum consolidation and operability together with Vigevano Export.

Vigevano Export is supported by the Minisrty of Foreign Trade under the Legal Decree 83 (a law whose power has recently been entrusted to the regions) as of Feb. 21, 1989. Vigevano Export collaborates actively with the Chamber of Commerce of Pavia, as well as the Provincial Administration, whose scope is to solely provide assistance in the economic developement of small and medium sized companies.

More, Vigevano Export operates in collaboration with the I.C.E.-Instituto Commercio Estero (Foreign Trade Institute), Federexport-Federazione Nazionale Consorzi Export (National export Consortium federation), C.E.C.C.L.- Centro Estero Camere di Commercio Lombarde di Milano (Foreign Center for Lombardy's Chambers of Commerce in Milan).

The administrative organ of the Vigevano Export Consortium is refered to as the Adminstrative Council. This Council is made of 13 representatives of the consortium's companies,and all of them are elected every three years by the Member's Assembly. The council meets approximately once a month to deliberate on the Consortium's various activities, along with the modalities of implementation. Being a part of Vigevano Export therefore means benefiting from the experience acquired and consolidated by the Consortium throughout its twenty year activity.

For any additional information you may contact Mrs. Alessandra Rivolta, Marketing Manager of VIGEVANO EXPORT CONSORTIUM.

VIGEVANO EXPORT CONSORTIUM
viale Mazzini 34
27029 Vigevano (Pavia)
ITALY
Phone +39-0381-78302
Fax +39-0381-70825
E-Mail: info@vigevanoshoes.com

See a Map locating the Vigevano City.