A local distribution network specialised in artistic crafts products: this is the aim of the project "Artigianato in vetrina" - created by Artex, Regione Toscana, Cna and Confartigianato - to give Tuscan agricultural and craft SMEs a distribution network o spread over the territory.

The standard shop, which is the prototype on which the future distribution chain is based on, for the regional territory, was presented in the headquarters of Artex  (the centre for artistic and traditional crafts of Tuscany,  a true "driving centre" of the whole programme) in via Botticelli in Florence: "This project - said Ambrogio Brenna,  assessor for productive activities of the Tuscany Region - fills a gap in the offer of quality products. Craftsmanship is a reality made up of 24 thousand enterprises and 93 thousand workers but, despite the small and sometimes very small size of the greater part of the companies, it represents more than a crafts production, it is an essential added value for the promotion of the regional territory and the many Tuscanies it is made up by ".

In the first showcase set up by Artex  there are around 1.000 products made by 80 Tuscan businesses which "cover" all the different local production areas: Montelupo and Sesto Fiorentino ceramics, Empoli glass and Colle Val d'Elsa crystal, as well as leather, hide, fabrics and marble, all characterised by their being hand-made.

The network of Tuscan showcases on traditional craftsmanship will be made both through the opening of shops in franchising and through the creation of corners inside already operating shops and shopping centres of Apt, airports and train stations.

Artex
Tuscany Region 
Cna Florence