Your story begins with the founding 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 the founding of SA Luciano Franzosini dates back to the distant March 28, 1929: from that day to today we have crossed a path of almost a century, various historical epochs characterized by the succession of as many economic phases, made up of prosperity, 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 milestone today. In 95 years the international freight forwarding industry has undergone tremendous changes, starting from its beginnings with the first transports carried out by a horse-drawn wagon, until now, a time when technology offers great support to human labor. From 1929 until today we have witnessed around us the birth of many companies, mergers between various companies, acquisitions made by foreign “giants,” and then the subsequent cessation of many, many companies in our branch; but today Franzosini still exists, with the same corporate name it originally had, with the same and renewed values and principles that make it today one of the few historical shipping companies in Ticino.”

What are the reasons for your presence in Switzerland and what does this country represent in the context of the international logistics system?

“The idea, even then far-sighted, of establishing an office in Switzerland was soon rewarded by the large volumes of business the company was able to handle. In the immediate postwar period, Franzosini then became autonomous from its Italian parent company in order to independently develop its international transportation services in Switzerland and abroad. The link with the territory became stronger with time, embarking on a decisive policy of “Swiss Made” orientation as early as the early 1940s, including through the acquisition of purely Ticino-based customers and with the management of international traffic that 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 goals besides financial and economic stability: Franzosini soon realized that it was necessary to equip itself with internal procedures such as to rationalize production processes and to espouse the principle of “respect for the environment,” even though at the time it seemed almost irreconcilable with the activity proper to a shipping company. Franzosini can also boast that it was the first Ticino company in the field of international transportation to obtain ISO 14001 certification for environmental policies, in addition to ISO 9001 certification for business and service management.”

What is the current structure of your Group and what are the main companies that are part of it?

“In recent years, it is worth mentioning in 2007 the opening of Franzosini Italia S.r.l., our Italian customs correspondent. The commitment of resources from Switzerland to Italy allows us to follow shipments and customers from shipper to consignee, through Italian and Swiss customs, without interrupting the chain of information and always maintaining that proper confidentiality that is essential to have when dealing with international shipments. Subsequently, we took further steps toward international expansion by establishing strategic branches in key locations. Munich’s prime location, combined with our expertise, enables us to offer tailor-made solutions that meet the specific needs of a wide range of international customers.

In the same spirit of growth and service to our clients, 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 changing political and economic environment, offering advice and operational support essential to keep supply chains between the EU and the UK flowing smoothly.”

The pursuit of excellence has always represented a value you have been inspired by in carrying out your business. What does this concept mean concretely when applied in the field of transportation and logistics?

“Franzosini has always paid special attention to the world of information technology and is at the forefront with state-of-the-art vehicles and a constantly renewed fleet. Franzosini was among the first companies to equip itself with special software specifically for the management of shipments, rationalization of loads, and the driving performance of its drivers-consistent with its certification for environmental policies-as well as for the management of its employees.

The result of this constant effort was that the company was always up-to-date in real time and immediately responsive to all aspects concerning its business, so that it was consequently able to adapt quickly, easily and without trauma to all the various economic phases we went through. The focus on new technologies was then recently decisively reaffirmed by Franzosini by initiating a new phase in our history under the banner of continuous technological innovation, thanks to an intuition destined to revolutionize the world of digital storage of customs documentation with the exclusive product of EZdatacenter SA.

Recently there has been much talk in Ticino about a regulatory breakthrough that could redefine the logistics and shipping industry. What are your assessments of this proposal?

“The proposed legislation that eliminated the customs declaration requirement for duty-free goods raises fundamental questions about security, efficiency and compliance in the handling of goods across borders. Ticino’s logistics and shipping companies handle a volume of goods measured in millions of tons annually, 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 safety and compliance in the handling of goods across borders; it has the potential to simplify some processes, but it also raises questions about worker protection, security of goods, and protection against the entry of noncompliant products. At this particular time, it is essential to consider all aspects and possible consequences.”

source: Ticino Welcome