Valentino reopens production sites

With lockdown set to be lifted progressively in Italy starting 4 May, the opening of ArtLab, Gucci's product development centre in Scandicci, near Florence, on 20 April, along with the relaunch of the company's prototyping activities, have set the pace for the gradual resumption of manufacturing in the country's fashion and luxury industries. On Friday it was Valentino's turn to announce that it is rebooting its operations at certain facilities, starting 27 April.

According to a press release, the Rome-based brand will notably be reopening "artisan workshops and certain manufacturing facilities dedicated to apparel prototypes, leather items and footwear in Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto, all while ensuring the implementation of a comprehensive security protocol for workers."

All of the Italian fashion industry players currently relaunching their operations are doing so in agreement with trade unions and in strict adherence with government directives that were published as part of the decree of 10 April, and which do not, at this point, require coronavirus testing for all employees.

In order to guarantee the maximum level of safety in its establishments, Valentino plans to proceed with the gradual reactivation of 130 employees working in different sites dedicated to research and development, planning, and prototype and sample production.

All work environments have been sanitised, a process that will be repeated regularly from now on. The company is also planning to improve the cleaning of these spaces with specific alcohol-based products. Other measures being implemented by Valentino include the provision of extra masks to be used by employees during their journeys to and from work.

A new shift rotation has been introduced in order to ensure that social distancing practices outlined by current legislation are respected. Employees' arrival times have also been staggered. Furthermore, workers will have access to telematic assistance for any questions they may have, as well as remote medical support.

Over the past week, a number of production sites have reopened in Italy, particularly in Tuscany, as luxury fashion houses such as Prada and Salvatore Ferragamo have relaunched certain operations. Other manufacturing facilities should be booting up again at the end of April, including those of Ermanno Scervino, and the leatherworks of Montblanc, Cartier, Serapian and the Richemont group.

Valentino reopens production sites

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