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Antonio de Matteis, CEO of Kiton, recently talked to Nick Valenti, of B. Nelson shoes, about his family’s business.
Nick: Please tell us how the Kiton Corporation started.
Antonio: The original company was founded by my Uncle Cipa in 1962. In 1969 the name was changed from from Cipa to Kiton - Chitone being an ancient Greek name for tuxedo. I am the fifth generation in the business. My brother and three cousins are also in the business with me.
How, when and, why did you get involved with Kiton?
I basically grew up in the factory and began working there full time in 1994. It was and is a family-run business.
When and why did Kiton start making shoes?
In 2005 we developed our own shoe factory. We did that because there was a demand for shoes by our customers. We wanted our own shoe factory because we wanted total and complete control over quality and every aspect of the product.
I have seen and worked on Kiton shoes. The detail and hand workmanship is incredible. Your comments?
With the exception of the stitching on the uppers everything is done by hand. Even the soles and welts are hand stitched.
What sets you apart from other high-grade brands?
Our quality is superior. I consider us on the same level or better than the highest grades.
How long does it take you to make a pair of shoes?
Each pair of shoes takes a total of roughly fifteen man hours to make.
What is your daily/annual output?
We complete only eight pairs per day because of the time it takes to get our product the way we want it. That’s just 2500 pairs per year.
Citrus brings out the flavors.
Italian handiwork
The final product.
How many shoemakers do you currently employ?
There are currently eleven shoemakers, total.
How many employees work at Kiton?
In addition to the eleven shoemakers already mentioned, we employ 370 tailors in Naples, 70 shirt-makers, 20 tie makers, 100 pants makers, 50 in our women s collection, 60 making leather jackets, 70 making our neat wear.
Two years ago we purchased our own mill from Carlo Barbera. We employ 100 people at the mill. In addition to this, we have our sales force, administrative people and other company support people.
How many stores do you currently operate?
Right now, we have 45 stand alone boutiques world-wide.
How many retailers do you currently supply with Kiton products?
In addition to our stand alone boutiques, Kiton can be found in 250 doors, comprising both department and specialty boutique stores.
Describe your market and the Kiton client.
The Kiton client is classically wealthy and sophisticated. He appreciates quality and purchases for quality, not price. He is not interested in showing off the Kiton name and status. His interest is to feel good about himself, wearing the highest quality clothing.
Do you see a difference between clients in different countries?
No. They all can afford our products. They have the same sensibility for quality.
Is there a difference between the Kiton client of past to present?
No, they always have been consistent.
In recent past years the economy had a negative impact on almost all businesses. How did that effect Kiton?
We knew it would be very temporary in our case. We didn’t want to have any lay-offs out of concern that when conditions improved we would need all of our people. We certainly wanted to maintain our quality standards at all times and protect it for the future.
How did you handle your work force during that time?
In 2008 we cut working hours from 8 per day to 6 with no lay-offs. In 2009 we increased hours back to 8 per day and hired additional employees.
We all know that true artisans are very difficult to find these days. When older ones retire they are difficult to replace. What efforts are you making to combat this situation while maintaining the prestige, integrity and, pride of the Kiton brand?
We have a school on one of the floors of our factory. We teach our students how we want Kiton products made every step of the way. We even teach them languages. The students get paid weekly and are served lunch daily, at our expense.
Interesting.....Are your students obligated to stay with your firm after they complete your courses?
No, but they stay anyway.
Compare Kiton ten years ago to today.
We have maintained the same philosophy, every six months we do new research and every six months we introduce a new line.
Kiton ten years from now?
The same.
Your favorite pastimes, hobbies?
Spending time on my boat.
If you had the opportunity to spend some time with some special dinner quests who would they be?
Anybody I can learn from.
It was a pleasure meeting you Antonio and thank you for your time.
Nick: Please tell us how the Kiton Corporation started.
Antonio: The original company was founded by my Uncle Cipa in 1962. In 1969 the name was changed from from Cipa to Kiton - Chitone being an ancient Greek name for tuxedo. I am the fifth generation in the business. My brother and three cousins are also in the business with me.
How, when and, why did you get involved with Kiton?
I basically grew up in the factory and began working there full time in 1994. It was and is a family-run business.
When and why did Kiton start making shoes?
In 2005 we developed our own shoe factory. We did that because there was a demand for shoes by our customers. We wanted our own shoe factory because we wanted total and complete control over quality and every aspect of the product.
I have seen and worked on Kiton shoes. The detail and hand workmanship is incredible. Your comments?
With the exception of the stitching on the uppers everything is done by hand. Even the soles and welts are hand stitched.
What sets you apart from other high-grade brands?
Our quality is superior. I consider us on the same level or better than the highest grades.
How long does it take you to make a pair of shoes?
Each pair of shoes takes a total of roughly fifteen man hours to make.
What is your daily/annual output?
We complete only eight pairs per day because of the time it takes to get our product the way we want it. That’s just 2500 pairs per year.
Citrus brings out the flavors.
Italian handiwork
The final product.
How many shoemakers do you currently employ?
There are currently eleven shoemakers, total.
How many employees work at Kiton?
In addition to the eleven shoemakers already mentioned, we employ 370 tailors in Naples, 70 shirt-makers, 20 tie makers, 100 pants makers, 50 in our women s collection, 60 making leather jackets, 70 making our neat wear.
Two years ago we purchased our own mill from Carlo Barbera. We employ 100 people at the mill. In addition to this, we have our sales force, administrative people and other company support people.
How many stores do you currently operate?
Right now, we have 45 stand alone boutiques world-wide.
How many retailers do you currently supply with Kiton products?
In addition to our stand alone boutiques, Kiton can be found in 250 doors, comprising both department and specialty boutique stores.
Describe your market and the Kiton client.
The Kiton client is classically wealthy and sophisticated. He appreciates quality and purchases for quality, not price. He is not interested in showing off the Kiton name and status. His interest is to feel good about himself, wearing the highest quality clothing.
Do you see a difference between clients in different countries?
No. They all can afford our products. They have the same sensibility for quality.
Is there a difference between the Kiton client of past to present?
No, they always have been consistent.
In recent past years the economy had a negative impact on almost all businesses. How did that effect Kiton?
We knew it would be very temporary in our case. We didn’t want to have any lay-offs out of concern that when conditions improved we would need all of our people. We certainly wanted to maintain our quality standards at all times and protect it for the future.
How did you handle your work force during that time?
In 2008 we cut working hours from 8 per day to 6 with no lay-offs. In 2009 we increased hours back to 8 per day and hired additional employees.
We all know that true artisans are very difficult to find these days. When older ones retire they are difficult to replace. What efforts are you making to combat this situation while maintaining the prestige, integrity and, pride of the Kiton brand?
We have a school on one of the floors of our factory. We teach our students how we want Kiton products made every step of the way. We even teach them languages. The students get paid weekly and are served lunch daily, at our expense.
Interesting.....Are your students obligated to stay with your firm after they complete your courses?
No, but they stay anyway.
Compare Kiton ten years ago to today.
We have maintained the same philosophy, every six months we do new research and every six months we introduce a new line.
Kiton ten years from now?
The same.
Your favorite pastimes, hobbies?
Spending time on my boat.
If you had the opportunity to spend some time with some special dinner quests who would they be?
Anybody I can learn from.
It was a pleasure meeting you Antonio and thank you for your time.
