France-based provider of software and CAD/CAM equipment for industrial users of textiles and leather Lectra has appointed Guido Turco as Product Lifestyle Management (PLM) business development manager for Italy. Based in Milan, he will report directly to Fabio Canali, director of Lectra Italy. Lectra Italy is the company’s largest subsidiary with 130 staff serving 3,000 customers.

Mr Turco will be responsible for all Lectra PLM activity in Italy. Specifically developed for the fashion markets and officially launched in April, Lectra’s PLM sector helps companies to shorten lead times and reduce costs associated with product conception. Providing continuous decision-making support, it rationalises and improves the reliability of product development processes, and assures the synchronisation and traceability of information flows. In addition, it optimises the collaborative modes used between contractors and suppliers.

He brings more than 20 years of apparel industry experience, including expertise in technical and sales processes, as well as project management; both strategic and operational. From 2000 to 2005 he was senior business consultant at Assyst in Italy, where he managed the technical development of the company’s PDM software platform while at the same time developing the Italian market.