The Region sides with Zucchi. “A patrimony that should be saved”

This morning, the industry and trade committee, represented by the Chairman, Angelo Ciocca (Northern League) and regional councillors, Mario Barboni and Onorio Rosati (Democratic Party), Carolina Toia (Lista Maroni Presidente) and Silvia Fossati (Patto Civico), visited Zucchi Bassetti in Rescaldina, the textile company in the middle of a delicate rescue operation by a French investment found, to express their support for one of the oldest industrial companies in Lombardy and for their employees.

Over 600 jobs are at risk, as the company waits for the creditor banks to approve the operation launched by the fund, Astrance, which is ready to give €10 million to save the industrial group, which is listed on the stock market, from a composition agreement. The two representatives of the Region were joined by Michele Cattaneo and Flavio Polloni, the Mayors of Rescaldina and Cuggiono, respectively.

The meeting took place in the company’s showroom and preceded the visit of the production departments. Inside the large showroom, those present were able to admire part of the collection of 56,000 fabric patterns, which the company bought in 1988; the collection is practically a history of fabric decorations between 1700 and 1900.

The CEO, Giovanni Battista Vacchi, and the Chairman of the Board, Angelo Turi, outlined the situation, expressing cautious optimism for the future. Vacchi gave a brief history of the group, from its origins, which date back as far as 1830, in Milan, to Rescaldina in the 1960s, with Bassetti, which was subsequently taken over by Zucchi. The Chairman voiced a few, albeit clear ideas. “Inside this hall,” he said, looking at the walls full of prints, “we can feel the weight of history. If we ever need you (the authorities, ed.), we’ll come to you, but for the moment, we’re looking ahead to the rapid conclusion of the agreement, with cautious optimism. We are working day and night.”

“There are many jobs at stake,” Toia continued, “and we can’t let other people lose their jobs, in an industry that has been severely tested by years and years of crisis. The company, which has been in business for almost two centuries, is also a renowned piece of history in the Italian textile sector. This is why Lombardy Region has expressed its maximum willingness and support, so that all opportunities to prevent closure and to encourage relaunch are evaluated. We wanted to express our closeness and solidarity with the workers and with the company and, so to speak, apply pressure so that there is a positive breakthrough in the negotiations with the banks, which have an important role in this phase.”

Once they get the “OK” from the banks, Zucchi will have to submit the new business plan within the terms established by the Court of Busto Arsizio. From then on, a new era for the group will begin.