Beyond the loom, UP Solutions showcased its machine data collection hardware and the functionality of its JUST Monitoring and JUST Planning MES software systems, as well as the direct integration into ERP platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics AX and SAP, Davis said.
“We did an insane number of software demos right in our booth and we’ll be working through all of the leads we gathered for at least a couple of years, as those companies have software projects coming online,” he said.
The company generated leads from 44 countries, Davis added. “The booth traffic was very diverse and actively engaged with us,” he said.
Although several people in the company had attended previous ITMAs, this was Davis’s first – and he was overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, he said.
“The ability to bring together all these companies that are part of or impacted by the global textile industry was simply amazing,” he said. “Being able to see an event of that size helps you to truly understand the relevance of the industry, and getting a feel for the energy and passion of the exhibitors and attendees was really impactful.”
Posted December 15, 2015
By Devin Steele (DSteele@eTextileCommunications.com)
MILAN – It was “in with the old” for Italy-based UP Solutions, a PA Group company, during ITMA 2015.
The software solutions provider had on display a 19th century handloom, on loan from client Rubelli SpA. And the working jacquard machine was quite the attention grabber, according to Josh Davis of Chattanooga, Tenn.-based PA Group USA.
“As a software company, we had to be creative to get people to pay attention to us with all the huge machines around,” said Davis, marketing director. “But our booth was pretty much packed from open to close every single day. The handloom garnered a lot of attention, most likely because of the shocking contrast between the antique jacquard machine and all the modern, computerized and automated equipment on display from the machine manufacturers.”
In three centuries of its existence, this rare, itinerant handloom has been moved around to a host of different nations for exhibitions or working applications. Since 2004 on the top floor of Rubelli mill, near Como, Italy, in a mix of steam, reed and raising of the warp, true textile treasures are still created for historic houses, castles, theatres and museums around the world with a handloom similar to this one.
ITMA 2015
‘In with the old’ for UP Solutions/PA Group
A 19th century handloom on display in the UP Solutions' booth.
Ennio Baracetti (M), CEO of Gruppo PA, is flanked by Josh Davis (L) and Bob Buechel of PA Group USA.
Carlo Cranchi of PA Group
A 19th century handloom on display in the UP Solutions' booth.
