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Borsalino Factory Tour January 12th, 2016


habigman

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First off I would like to thank Daniele from the FL 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

 

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)

 

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Dye Department

 

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Steam Blocking

 

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Wood & Metal Blocks, Presses

 

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Continued.

 

Wooden Flanges and Application

 

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

 

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Inspection prior to Automatic Hat Pressing

 

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Automatic Hat Presses

 

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Manual Hat Presses

 

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Hat Forms & Hat Racks from old factory

 

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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!

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