All in the Family with Unitin
When Unitin came on the scene in 1924, it was all about industrial textile activities, but when denim came on the scene in 1970s Spain, the Spanish company called on its existing expertise and started producing denim products.
Today Barcelona-based Unitin, next up in our “All in the Family” summer series, has two main product lines: indigo yarns and indigo fabrics, which companies the world over covet for their high quality.
Innovation, it seems, comes natural to the Unitin family. The company developed and patented an innovative dyeing system for finishing and presenting indigo yarn in cones, which was key to moving authentic indigo yarn into new markets like knits. Sustainability is another vital factor for Unitin, the company just implemented a Zero Waste Program for its product lines that will eliminate waste by using indigo leftovers to make new recycled yarn.
Whatever the endeavor, business is really all in the family for Unitin—the company is 100 percent owned by the sons and grandsons of the founder Mariano Morera. And, Javier Morera Llovera, Unitin general manager, Mariano’s grandson and son of Jose Maria Morera, general manager, shows just how denim took shape in his life.
Carved in Blue: What was your very first impression of the denim business?
Javier: When I first had news on denim business was late 70s. Denim came very strong in the Spanish market and was representing the “modern” world for the young people. In Spain, it was even more special as we had in those days a dictatorial political system and denim was also representing a kind of “freedom” and modern future. Our family textile business got involved in the denim producing since the introduction of denim in our market (approximately the late 70s).
Carved in Blue: Did you always want to go into the denim business?
Javier: My family had been in textiles since 1910s (grandfather), but because of a quite extensive family and the periodical textile crisis my father always thought that we (four brothers) should better have our own profession and look for our own development out of the family business. In my case, I studied engineering and got an MBA. I worked in the car industry for a few years, moved to electronics industry and in software business also for few years. When my father was about to retire, I volunteered to follow the family business.
Carved in Blue: Would you want your children to do the same?
Javier: Yes, I would like to have some involved in the business but only if they have the right skills and if it is their clear desire. I think that first it’s important to get a good personal education and get the right training on the personal desired profession without the “conditioning” of having to follow the family business. In my case, I have three children and other family members that could follow.
Carved in Blue: When did you realize you are a blueblood?
Javier: Denim has always been the most exciting part of our business and since I joined the company I focus my personal efforts to develop more of that area in our company, as denim market was global and, creatively, it had more options than in other areas of our business.
Carved in Blue: What’s the best advice your dad ever gave you?
Javier: Work hard and try to get in business with “potential,” to look for markets that can be large.
Carved in Blue: What do you think the future looks like for the denim industry?
Javier: There will certainly be much broader type of fabrics. I think we will have a “denim” look in areas where now denim is still not there. As new yarns and fabrics develop for these new applications, I think that we will get a denim line from almost all different markets, from labor clothing to sports clothing.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Javier: It’s a good way to see were denim is going and get, in advance, the trends of this business.