On 24th May last, at Palácio da Bolsa, in Porto, Luis Onofre, succeeding to the Italian Cleto Sagripanti, was nominated President of the European Confederation of footwear industry (CEC), an entity that represents the entire European industry of footwear: an industry which consists of approximately 21000 companies, responsible for more than 278 thousand jobs in several countries.
«To strengthen the role of the Confederation as the leader of a network of producers and to promote the European hub of innovation to stimulate a creative leadership more connected to the new business environment. When the entire base of business is being challenged by changes in consumer tastes and trends of the new, flap change and the increasing development of new online sales channels, by 4.0 industry or by challenges of sustainability that require new responses in terms of materials, the associative leaders must help companies to prepare themselves for all these changes». These are the goals that Luis Onofre wishes to achieve, using his own words. For the economy Minister, Pedro Siza Vieira, «this is not only a personal distinction and one’s leadership skills, but also a reflection of the importance that the European Confederation assigns to the sector in Portugal». The term of the new President will last for three years.
