From Italy to the world Savino Del Bene

FROM ITALY

TO THE WORLD

Savino Del Bene is Italy’s biggest forwarding company and one of the top 25 freight forwarders in the world. Daniele Garavaglia talks to COO Fabio Nocentini about the group’s wide range of logistics solutions, global customer base and plans for future expansion.

From the very heart of Tuscany to the whole world, with over 200 offices in almost every marketplace, Savino Del Bene delivers cutting-edge and highefficiency logistics solutions to international manufacturers and traders, fulfilling the most demanding import/export needs of the manufacturing industry.

Since its establishment in Florence over a century ago, Savino Del Bene has developed into a group of logistics companies, with an annual turnover of nearly €1 billion. Its worldwide operations cover sea transport (75 per cent of total revenue), air (25 per cent) and land (5 per cent). The group’s seamlessly operating freight system can meet almost any order size or time requirement – owing in large part to the dedication of its 2900 highly skilled employees.

Customed logistics solutions for every market

“Savino Del Bene is a freight forwarding company, providing our customers with integrated and customised logistics solutions. We specialise in air, sea, surface transportation and all related services with a professional, experienced team ready to meet our customers’ demands. With a professional team available at all times in every local market, we are able to adapt to the requirements of individual markets through our widespread presence and full understanding of local customs and administrative regulations. Savino Del Bene offers tailor-made solutions combined with highly competitive rates and professionalism,” says COO Fabio Nocentini.

In 2008, when the global financial and economic crisis caused a heavy reduction in freight volumes all over the world, the company initiated a reorganisation process that has totally transformed its business model. This process was aimed at exercising stricter controls on running costs, more effective and rational financial management, and the verticalisation of core market sectors. In the end, Savino Del Bene was able to turn the crisis into a winning opportunity for change and improvement, thus multiplying expansion opportunities. It has experienced tremendous growth and almost doubled its revenues, allowing it to compete directly with the major global players in its sector.

Partnerships with major sea and air carriers

The group’s offer of integrated and flexible services – guaranteed by compliance with the strictest international standards for air and sea freight – relies on strong supply relationships with major sea carriers (Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA-CGM Group) and air carriers (Cargolux, Alitalia, Air France, Lufthansa, American Airlines and Air China, to name but a few). These supplier relationships are vitally important as they allow it to reach almost any destination throughout the world.

Mr Nocentini adds: “We constantly strive to enhance our relationships with core air and ocean transportation partners, from whom Savino Del Bene demands high quality and flexibility in order to offer tailor-made services

and convenient rates.” Customers can choose from a wide range of transportation solutions, from overnight air to ocean vessel charter services. It specialises in the movement of air freight, ocean LCL and FCL, and cargo services on the international level.

“We have global purchasing power and access to specific equipment required for the movement of all kinds of freight, including oversized cargo. We can offer advanced logistics solutions which include storage, pick & pack, distribution and more. We also support the operations of our core business customers through value added services and integrated logistics support. Savino Del Bene has gone to great lengths to ensure that your goods are safe and secure by means of advanced video and motion detectors.”

Innovative vertical markets

A cutting-edge IT department, constantly enhanced through continued investments, supports this business model and provides logistics supply chain applications (through tracking & tracing controls, electronic data interchange, warehouse management system and statistical reports) to meet the specific needs of customers, whatever their industry sector.

A new ‘vertical markets’ strategy was a real turning point for the company: “We created and trained dedicated teams for each production sector we serve, including automotive, machinery, fashion and textiles, fresh fruits and vegetables, food & beverage,

pharmaceuticals and oil & gas. We can now offer our customers the support of experts in their field with in-depth knowledge of technical, regulatory and operational issues involved in the transportation and distribution of a specific product.” Furthermore, the company is a member of several national and international professional associations.

Africa – the news logistic market

Savino Del Bene is particularly strong in the Italian market, where it is responsible for the shipping of around 25 per cent of all manufactured goods. But its continued global expansion means it now has a network of offices, logistics warehouses and distribution centres throughout the world.

Mr Nocentini describes the company’s global outreach: “Our early focus was to develop freight forwarding services primarily to the USA. However, our structure soon grew global in line with the development of the world’s economy. Today we work mainly in Europe, the Americas and Asia. New and exciting scenarios are emerging for Africa, which is set to become a crucial area of the logistics development. Therefore, we are ready to focus on consolidating our market position and strengthening our operating structures throughout the world, as well as increasing our penetration in emerging markets.”

Having provided its customers with the highest quality of logistics services for over 100 years, Savino Del Bene is set to face its second century of business with renewed energy and commitment. n