Borsalino Factory Tour January 12th, 2016

[mayserwegener]

First off I would like to thank Daniele for setting up an amazing tour of the Borsalino factory! It was such a fantastic experience / privilege to see the inner workings of such a historic hat company. I would also like to thank our host Eva from Borsalino. She answered all our questions and couldn't have been more accommodating.

I will start with a visual tour of the Borsalino factory and make a separate post for the Borsalino Factory Showroom (housing the recently released Fall / Winter 2016 collection and company artifacts). Daniele will provide additional content.

Felt Body and Felt Hat Production (Click on Photos to Expand)

Unfortunately I didn't ask if it was possible to take photos until we passed by the felt production sections.

Forming Felt Bodies, Fulling Proces (a look back)

Dye Department

Steam Blocking

Wood & Metal Blocks, Presses

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Wooden Flanges and Application

Hat Racks for old factory, Assorted Wooden Flanges in the background

Inspection prior to Automatic Hat Pressing

Automatic Hat Presses

Manual Hat Presses

Hat Forms & Hat Racks from old factory

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Pouncing

Automatic Pouncing Machine, Doran Danbury

Final Finishing

Brim Cutting

Automatic Brim Edge Curling Machine

Hat Dressing, Ribbon/Bows, Brim Binding, Liners, Wind Trolleys

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Bencraft Hats!

Supplies with example of Color types

 

[mayserwegener]

Continued.

Hats Ready for Shipment

Specialty Finish with Fancy Edge Binding

Specialty Finish with High Flange

Straw Hat Production (New operation, prior sourced from Tesi)

 

[mayserwegener]

Some brief observations.

Most of the machinery at the Borsalino factory was moved (1980s) from the old (Antica Casa) Borsalino factory location. The front end of the Felt production section dates back toaround the start of the 20th century.

Borsalino has reduced the number of production processes over the years due to cost factors.

Borsalino recently returned to producing their own soft straw hats (Panama, ect) after previously outsourcing to Tesi and possibly other companies.

Borsalino is sourcing processed fur from Portugal (Cortadoria Nacional de Pêlo, S.A.) and from a Belgium source(?).

Borsalino is sourcing some felts (specialty finishes, exotic fur & wool types) from Portugal (FEPSA-Feltros Portugueses, SA).

Borsalino was very open to showing their entire production facility and answering all inquiries.

Borsalino remain the iconic dress / fashion hat company!

 

[Frunobulax]

Super, Steve! Thank you - and thanks to Daniele, as well.

Definitely fewer people than I would have guessed to run the production. Very interesting photos.

 

[moontheloon]

fantastic pictures !!!

thank you for documenting ... that was a real treat

so wonderful that you got to visit

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Steve looks like you where there on a non production day. Not a lot of workers in the pictures. [emoji3]


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[RJR]

Great tour and pictures.

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve looks like you where there on a non production day. Not a lot of workers in the pictures. [emoji3]


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They were in production but smaller runs. Most of the hats were for Bencraft.

Fruno, Anthony, RJR, Thanks!

 

[buler]

Thanks so much Steve! What a great opportunity for you (and us).

B

 

[alanfgag]

+1 on that. Thanks!!

 

[hatsRme]

Splendid excursion, Steve!! Thank you for taking us with you.

 

[Chamuco]

Thanks a lot !! Great pic !!! Do they have a factory store on site where you can buy some lids?

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[se couvrir]

Great pics thanks Steve. I wonder whether either you or Daniele can tell us any news regarding the financial problems of Borsalino?
Chris

 

[mayserwegener]

Bill, Alan, Charlie, Thanks!

Chamuco, Good question. I didn't inquire. Thanks!

Chris, I didn't ask. Daniele might have. I have heard things are looking better but I guess time will tell.

 

[Daniele Tanto]

Ok here I'm for some clarification

Steve looks like you where there on a non production day. Not a lot of workers in the pictures.

In some departments the workers were few in others more numerous.
We arrived in the middle of our tour and it ended the labor time and the workers went into the lunch break.
Some of them very kindly agreed to show us some work. Our guide Eva (if I remember well) is part of the sales and marketing department and she was the only one left in the company because on the same day there was the presentation of the New collection 16-17 at Pitti Moda in Florence. She was with us two hours in a very gentle and available way.
Remember we are not buyers neither clients

I wonder whether either you or Daniele can tell us any news regarding the financial problems of Borsalino?

The new majority financing partner has definitely entered into Borsalino with the month of December 2015, and therefore we have not yet seen the results of his entry. Both in commercial terms neither in production. I am convinced that in recent years the managment has kept alive the Borsalino considered the confusion regarding the property and its failings.

Do they have a factory store on site where you can buy some lids

They have a store but we had not visted it and I really don't know what hats they are selling in it.
I can ask to my contact in Borsalino

Borsalino has shown an absolute willingness to make us visit the factory, talking openly about the problems and the current dynamics in the production of hats.
I am available for any clarification I can provide on Borsalino

 

[TheDane]

Super interesting report from a day in Heaven! Thank you so much - both of you

 

[Chamuco]

Ok here I'm for some clarification

In some departments the workers were few in others more numerous.
We arrived in the middle of our tour and it ended the labor time and the workers went into the lunch break.
Some of them very kindly agreed to show us some work. Our guide Eva (if I remember well) is part of the sales and marketing department and she was the only one left in the company because on the same day there was the presentation of the New collection 16-17 at Pitti Moda in Florence. She was with us two hours in a very gentle and available way.
Remember we are not buyers neither clients


The new majority financing partner has definitely entered into Borsalino with the month of December 2015, and therefore we have not yet seen the results of his entry. Both in commercial terms neither in production. I am convinced that in recent years the managment has kept alive the Borsalino considered the confusion regarding the property and its failings.


They have a store but we had not visted it and I really don't know what hats they are selling in it.
I can ask to my contact in Borsalino

Borsalino has shown an absolute willingness to make us visit the factory, talking openly about the problems and the current dynamics in the production of hats.
I am available for any clarification I can provide on Borsalino

Thanks Daniele !!!

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