Spinning

Quality and Natural Yarns

Today, Safil, a company based in the Biella area, is an Italian trademark of international appeal. It is the only supplier of velvet yarns for interior decoration, made of mohair, but also operates in hosiery, sportswear and protective apparel segments…
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Safil

SafilSafil yarns tell us an interesting story. About family tradition, innovation capacity and the desire to maintain the culture of textile excellence. Safil was established in 1954 in Biella as a worsted yarns spinning company by Fernando Savio and today it is led by his two sons Cesare, sales and production executive, and Alberto, chief financial officer. The company operates in the knitting yarn industry, in the weaving, hosiery, hi-tech, furnishing, sportswear and protective apparel segments, as one of few suppliers of furnishing mohair yarns in the world. «We are one of the few world-class manufacturers of mohair yarns for furnishing velvet – states Filippo Dagostino, sales and product manager of the Safil furnishing division –. Thanks to its outstanding characteristics this fibre is a top quality choice to make this kind of products. Acquiring the French Filature Française de Mohair we strengthened our presence on this niche market, which, however, includes some important clients».

Safil is an Italian trademark of international appeal. In Gaglianico (Biella), headquarter of our company, the yarn reels dyeing and re-winding plant has a capacity of approximately 3,000 tons per year. In a plant in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, they manufacture 7,000 tons/year of worsted yarns. Most of it is used to make quality and bespoke yarns for furnishing, interior decoration and furnishing accessories.

Preserving Quality Yarns

Safil managers, from left to right: Alberto Savio (Chief Financial Officer), Stefano Formignani (Sales Manager), Cesare Savio (Sales and Production Executive), Marco Zaffalon (Head of production)
Safil managers, from left to right: Alberto Savio (Chief Financial Officer), Stefano Formignani (Sales Manager), Cesare Savio (Sales and Production Executive), Marco Zaffalon (Head of production)

In 2008 Safil acquired the trademark, the plant and the sales network of Filature Française de Mohair, a major world manufacturer of high quality mohair yarns, on the market since 1928. That strategic decision enabled them to diversify and specialize their manufacture know how on one hand, while preserving their presence on the market of yarns and velvet made of such a precious and high quality fibre as that obtained from the hair of mohair goats.

«Mohair velvet fabrics are top performance products – explains Filippo Dagostino –. This highly elastic fibre obtains extremely resistant fabrics. Further, under any temperature, mohair can adapt to the moisture content of the environment, and let the wearer feel comfortable. These technical features and the brightness of furnishing fabrics make of mohair velvet a first class material of high quality indoor linings». Safil purchases mohair fibres through a fully owned company in South Africa, where the best mohair fibre is available: «Through Safil South Africa we buy from farmers and local vendors raw fibres not yet washed, so that we can be sure to get the best raw material available».

The company then acquired Erredi Spa in 2010, thus strengthening its presence on the knitwear market. In 2012, they took over the trademark, the log files of knitting yarns and some exclusive products from Filatura di Grignasco, to enhance their presence in the underwear industry.

Natural and Custom Made Yarns

In the Biella area, where the company is based, the yarn reels dyeing and re-winding plant shows a capacity of approximately 3,000 tons/year
In the Biella area, where the company is based, the yarn reels dyeing and re-winding plant shows a capacity of approximately 3,000 tons/year

Safil manufacture long fibre woollen yarns in various counts: «Our range includes mainly woollen spun yarns or blended with other ordinary or noble natural fibres like alpaca, as well as mohair and other cellulose fibres like cotton. We also offer special, man-made fibres like Trevira® CS, FR Viscose, Kanecaron®, Dralon® and aramidic or flame retardant fibres». In close cooperation with their customers, the spinning mill at Gaglianico mainly offers tailor made yarns to be sold on the European and US market. «The feather in our cap is the fact that we can offer our clients a study and research support to make the most suitable yarn that meets their requirements – Filippo Dagostino adds –. And, thanks to a state of the art quality control laboratory, equipped with every technology to analyse raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, we can ensure full compliance with the manufacturing standards». The spinning mill is ISO 9001 certified since 2001 and was the first plant in Bulgaria to obtain that certification.

A Green and Certified Range of Textile Products

Safil is the first Italian bluesign® system partner spinning mill. The Swiss company bluesign® technologies checked Safil’s production facilities for its compliance with all bluesign® system parameters.

In close cooperation with their customers, the spinning plant at Gaglianico mainly manufactures tailor made yarns for the European and U.S. market
In close cooperation with their customers, the spinning plant at Gaglianico mainly manufactures tailor made yarns for the European and U.S. market

«This certification proves of our commitment towards an environmentally-friendly manufacturing process with a low impact on our staff», Filippo Dagostino explains, Further, the bluesign® system holistic approach reduces the impact on people and the environment, while ensuring a responsible use of the resources and the highest degree of consumer safety. «Yarns used to make furnishing fabrics and accessories are dyed and undergo a chemical processing. These products are constantly in close contact with the user; hence being able to supply bluesign® certified yarns is certainly an important plus in this industry».