TST: Of robots and precision

Sales meeting in Milan – Seated: Charl du Pisani (Cape Karoo International), Stella Massaro (Cartigliano), Arné Husselmann (TST). Standing: Marco Bidoggia (Cartigliano), Gert Bosch (TST), Ali Hakimi (Fusion Leather World).
African Leather: What is interesting about the Barnini spray arm?
The Barnini Robot system is the first multi-patented leather loading system in the world, that is capable of automatically loading leather from a stand, platform or chain.
The robot system is also capable of finishing panels or whole skins, simulating production systems and of making decorations, such as lines, shades and designs thanks to the intuitive software it is equipped with.
African Leather: What were the Italprogetti products that were of interest, and why?
The dry milling drums from Italprogetti allow a precise control of the milling process and give the operator the possibility to set times, temperature, humidity level, rotational speed, chemical injection and also to store and recall working cycles which can then be repeated at any time.
It can also adapt the water or chemical introduction times in accordance to the real quantity of leather that’s currently in process.
The dust collection system, with self-cleaning sleeves, is automatically controlled. This guarantees the complete separation of the dust during the process without affecting the internal temperature and humidity parameters.
Footwear Industry Articles
- Vermont sale completedJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA – After 39 years, former owner Mandy Owen has sold her shares in Vermont Leathercraft Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd to Creek Lab (Pty) Ltd, and officially handed over the business to Prashant Bhaga.In a message on LinkedIn, she wrote: “I would like to thank my husband, Graham, for his invaluable contributio ...moreNike claims ‘mental benefits’ from new styles, observers take wait-and-see approachNike makes big technical claims for a category of non-sport footwear (their description: pre-game and post-game) launched in January.Certainly not the first footwear to incorporate underfoot pressure points, ‘Nike Mind Technology’ is 2 shoes – a mule and a sneaker (in different colour options) – which Nike says lit ...moreTshepo opens new store at Mall of AfricaJohannesburg, Gauteng, SA (02 June 2026) — South African fashion brand Tshepo has opened its second store at Mall of Africa.Tshepo, founded by Tshepo Mohlala in Victoria Yards 10 years ago, specialises in locally made denim jeans.“Victoria Yards remains central to Tshepo's identity, serving as the bran ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Zimbabwe Leather Development Council lobbies for Government contractsThe Zimbabwe Leather Development Council (ZLDC) is lobbying policymakers to open up public procurement contracts to local leather manufacturers, arguing that Government contracts are essential to reviving the country’s struggling leather value chain.Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe Industrialisation Conference and Expo (ZIC ...moreOrganic cotton at the crossroads: Ideology, evidence, and the road aheadWashington, DC, U.S.A. (23 June 2026) — Organic cotton occupies one of the most contentious spaces in global agriculture. While praised by brands and consumers for its environmental ideals, it also faces persistent questions about yield stability, certification integrity, and scalability. The current edition of The ICAC Recorde ...more‘FMD is here to stay – we have to learn to live with it and manage it’Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – FMD is no longer a series of isolated outbreaks; it has become a national systemic risk, and we need to shift our mindset from emergency response to living with and managing FMD responsibly. The pressure is already showing in the numbers. Our latest figures show cattle slaughter down 12% and sheep slaughter d ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- New OHS regulations coming into force later this year mean PPE needs to be reviewed, tooIn March 2025, the Physical Agents Regulations (and their guidelines) and the Noise Exposure Regulations (and their guidelines) of the OHSAct were published, with an 18-month time-period promulgation date to September 2026, allowing employers time to upgrade their Health & Safety requirements to comply with the new published regulatio ...moreProtecting the workforce: The critical role of PPEPersonal protective equipment (PPE) is utilised in a work-environment as part of a larger prevention plan, because on its own protection is limited and may even provide a false sense of protection.An occupational disease prevention plan must be an actionable approach that identifies workplace health hazards, evaluates exposure, and i ...morePerformance testing: Building credibility in the modern apparel and footwear marketThe lines between protective wear, sportswear, outdoor apparel, wellness clothing and everyday fashion continue to blur. Consumers increasingly expect garments and footwear to deliver more than style alone. Whether purchasing workwear, running apparel, outdoor footwear, school shoes or everyday casual products, buyers now look for comfort ...more








