By: Behnam Ghasemi – Editor in Chief at kohan Textile Journal
Interview with Fabrizio Paleologo, Finishing Machinery Sales Manager at Lonati Group, during Colombiatex 2026
During Colombiatex 2026, held from 27 to 29 January in Medellín, Colombia, we conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Fabrizio Paleologo, Finishing Machinery Sales Manager at Santoni and Tecnopea, two key companies within the Lonati Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of textile machinery.
At the beginning of the interview, Paleologo introduced the Lonati Group and his role within the organization:
“The Lonati Group is a global producer of knitting machines for socks and seamless products. My responsibility is not directly related to knitting machines, but rather to the finishing division. I follow auxiliary and finishing solutions such as automatic sewing systems for pantyhose, as well as boarding and packaging machines produced by Tecnopea, another company within our group.”
Why Colombiatex and Why Colombia?
According to Paleologo, Colombiatex is a strategically important exhibition for the group:
“South America is clearly an important market for us, and the Lonati Group has been established here for many years. Colombia, in particular, has become a very relevant market, especially for products such as sportswear, swimwear, and lingerie. In recent years, Colombia has grown significantly, and we have increased our sales in this country.”
He acknowledged that current political and economic uncertainty in South America has slowed investments, but emphasized that Brazil and Colombia remain the two most important markets for the Lonati Group in the region, with Colombia now representing the company’s second-largest market in South America.
Also Ready: Brückner at Colombiatex 2026: “We remain confident and positive”
The Strength of Italy’s Textile Machinery Industry
When asked how Italy has managed to develop a complete textile machinery ecosystem—from fiber to finished garments—Paleologo pointed to history and industrial structure:
“In my opinion, it is the result of a long tradition and a strong industrial culture. Over the decades, Italy has developed specialized production districts. We have districts for hosiery, socks, fabrics, and other textile segments. Around each district, many companies were created to serve very specific production needs, and over time these companies became global exporters of machinery.”
Innovation, Energy Efficiency, and Software Development
Innovation remains a core pillar of the Lonati Group’s strategy. Paleologo highlighted ongoing investments in research and development:
“We continuously invest in R&D to introduce new machine models with improved features. Our focus is on reducing energy consumption, improving productivity, and supporting environmental goals.”
In recent years, a major area of development has been machine software:
“We are working extensively on software solutions to make machines more flexible and easier to operate. The goal is to allow customers to manage production efficiently without needing highly specialized operators for programming and design. This has become a key priority for us.”
Is a Fully Automated ‘Dark Factory’ the Future?
Addressing the concept of fully automated or ‘dark’ factories, Paleologo offered a realistic assessment:
“Automation is certainly the dream of many manufacturers, mainly to reduce labor costs. We are making strong progress in automatic sewing and packaging. However, there are limitations, especially in packaging.”
He explained that many textile producers manufacture for different brands, each with specific and frequently changing packaging standards:
“This lack of standardization makes it difficult to invest in fully automatic systems. As a result, many companies still rely on manual or semi-automatic solutions to remain flexible. That said, the entire industry is actively working toward higher levels of automation.”
Outlook
The presence of Santoni and Tecnopea at Colombiatex 2026 underlines the strategic importance of the South American market for Italian textile machinery manufacturers. With a strong focus on energy efficiency, advanced software, flexible production, and intelligent automation, the Lonati Group continues to strengthen its position in a region that, despite short-term challenges, offers significant long-term potential.
