The 29th edition of the International Leather, Shoe Material & Shoe Machinery Fair in Wenzhou has come to an end after bringing together companies, manufacturers and professionals for several days in one of China’s leading footwear industry hubs.

Red21, together with our partner ISM, took part in this new edition to bring Icad closer to industry professionals and, in particular, to demonstrate live how technology can connect digital footwear development with real manufacturing processes.

Held at the Wenzhou International Convention and Exhibition Center, the fair once again became an important meeting point for an industry in constant evolution and an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, gain insight into emerging needs and showcase Icad in a truly industrial environment.

From Icad to the Machine: A Demonstration of the Complete Workflow

One of the highlights of our participation in Wenzhou was the opportunity to go one step beyond a conventional software demonstration.

Professionals visiting our stand were able to see Icad connected and working directly with cutting machinery, providing a practical demonstration of how the information generated during digital development can subsequently be transferred into a real production process.

This demonstration made it possible to visualise the workflow particularly clearly: not as a sequence of independent tools or processes, but as different stages that can be connected to one another.

This is precisely where one of the major challenges of digitalisation in the footwear industry lies. It is not simply about introducing new tools, but about ensuring that information can flow consistently throughout the development and manufacturing process, reducing unnecessary manual intervention between different stages.

Being able to demonstrate this process in action, with Icad interacting with real machinery, allowed visitors to see first-hand how this connection can be transferred to the production environment.

Wenzhou, a Meeting Point for the Industry

Beyond the technology itself, international events such as the Wenzhou fair provide an exceptional opportunity to do something we consider fundamental: listen.

Throughout the fair, together with ISM, we had the opportunity to meet manufacturers and industry professionals, learn about their current workflows and discuss the challenges they face when connecting design, pattern development and manufacturing.

These meetings are particularly valuable because the digital transformation of footwear is not simply about introducing new software. It is about finding technologies that can be integrated into real industrial processes and help companies work more efficiently.

Every company has its own structure, needs and working methods. That is why we go beyond a general demonstration, focusing on how technology can provide solutions to specific situations and requirements.

For Red21, staying close to the industry and understanding these needs has always been a fundamental part of our approach to implementing Icad technology.

Another Event Alongside ISM in Asia

Our participation in Wenzhou also marks another event alongside ISM, our partner for East and Southeast Asia.

Their knowledge of the market and direct contact with companies across the region are essential for bringing Icad closer to new manufacturers while maintaining close relationships with companies already working with our solutions.

This collaboration enables us to maintain a presence in some of Asia’s leading footwear production hubs and gain first-hand insight into how their needs and processes are evolving.

Thank You, Wenzhou

After several days of demonstrations, meetings and conversations, we would like to thank all the professionals who visited our stand and took the time to discover Icad and share their experiences and needs with us.

It was a pleasure to meet so many professionals and companies interested in moving towards a more connected, accurate and efficient footwear development process.

We would also like to thank the ISM team for their work and commitment throughout the event and for continuing to support our presence in the Asian market.

We leave Wenzhou with new contacts, conversations and opportunities but, above all, with the satisfaction of having been able to showcase Icad where technology truly demonstrates its value: connected to the reality of production.

The fair may be over, but we continue working to bring Icad to footwear companies around the world and to build increasingly connected processes between digital development and manufacturing.