Your story begins with the foundation of the Luciano Franzosini company. What were the subsequent stages of an entrepreneurial journey that led to the establishment of Tepoorten Group?
«The first date of foundation of SA Luciano Franzosini dates back to 28 March 1929: from that day to today we have gone through a journey of almost a century, various historical eras characterized by the succession of as many economic phases, made up of well-being, stability and crisis, which only thanks to the entrepreneurial skills of the various managers who have taken turns at the helm of our company, have led to the achievement of this goal today. In 95 years the international shipping sector has undergone enormous changes, starting from the beginning with the first transports carried out by a horse-drawn carriage, up to now, an era in which technology offers great support to human work. From 1929 to today we have witnessed the birth of many companies around us, mergers between various companies, acquisitions carried out by foreign "colossi" and then the subsequent closure of many, many companies in our branch; but today Franzosini still exists, with the same company name it originally had, with the same renewed values and principles that make it one of the few historic shipping companies in Ticino today."
What are the reasons for your presence in Switzerland and what does this country represent in the context of the international logistics system?
«The already far-sighted idea of creating an office in Switzerland was soon rewarded by the large volumes of business that the company was able to manage. Immediately after the war, Franzosini became independent from the Italian parent company in order to independently develop its international transport services in Switzerland and abroad. The link with the territory became stronger over time, undertaking a decisive policy of orientation towards "Swiss Made" as early as the early 40s, also through the acquisition of purely Ticino customers and with the management of international traffic which was concentrated between northern Italy, the Canton of Ticino and the entire territory of the Confederation. Then came the years in which the company decided to pursue other objectives, in addition to that of financial and economic stability: Franzosini soon realized that it was necessary to equip itself with internal procedures capable of rationalizing the production processes and embracing the principle of “respect for the environment”, even if at that time it seemed almost irreconcilable with the typical activity of a shipping company. Franzosini can also boast of being the first Ticino company in the field of international transport to have obtained ISO 14001 certification for environmental policies, in addition to ISO 9001 certification for business and service management".
What is the structure of your Group currently and which are the main companies that are part of it?
«In recent years, it is worth remembering in 2007 the opening of Franzosini Italia Srl, our Italian customs correspondent. The commitment of resources from Switzerland to Italy allows us to follow shipments and customers from the sender to the recipient, through Italian and Swiss customs, without interrupting the information chain and always maintaining the correct confidentiality that is essential to have when dealing with international shipments. Subsequently, we have taken further steps towards international expansion by establishing strategic subsidiaries in key locations. Monaco's privileged location, combined with our expertise, allows us to offer tailor-made solutions that meet the specific needs of a large international clientele.
In the same spirit of growth and service to our customers, we established Franzosini & Butti Ltd based in Dover, UK. Dover's location, the main gateway for freight traffic between the UK and the European continent, allows us to monitor and manage transport operations with efficiency and precision, ensuring continuity of service even in a political and economic context evolving, offering essential advice and operational support to keep supply chains between the EU and the UK flowing."
The pursuit of excellence has always represented a value that has inspired you in carrying out your business. What does this concept actually mean when applied in the field of transport and logistics?
«Franzosini has always paid particular attention to the world of information technology and is at the forefront with latest generation vehicles and a constantly renewed fleet of machines. Franzosini was among the first companies to equip itself with particular specific software for the management of shipments, the rationalization of loads, the driving performances of its drivers - in line with the certification for environmental policies - as well as for the management of its personnel employee.
The result of this constant commitment is that the company was always updated in real time and immediately reactive on all aspects concerning its business, so that it was able, consequently, to adapt quickly, easily and without trauma to all various economic phases that we have gone through. The attention towards new technologies was recently reaffirmed decisively by Franzosini, starting a new phase in our history in the name of continuous technological innovation, thanks to an intuition destined to revolutionize the world of digital archiving of customs documentation with the exclusive product of EZdatacenter SA.
In recent times there has been a lot of talk in Ticino about one regulatory breakthrough that could redefine the logistics and shipping industry. What are your evaluations regarding this proposal?
«The legislative proposal that eliminated the requirement for customs declaration for non-dutiable goods raises fundamental questions about safety, efficiency and compliance in the processing of goods across borders. Ticino's logistics and shipping companies annually manage a volume of goods measured in millions of tons, with a commercial value that contributes significantly to the local and national economy. The legislative change raises critical questions about how this could impact not only operational efficiency, but also security and compliance in the processing of goods across borders; It has the potential to simplify some processes, but also raises issues regarding worker protection, goods safety and protection against the entry of non-compliant products. At this particular moment, it is essential to consider all aspects and possible consequences."
