DP World has launched its first Fast Moving Consumer Goods – FMCG Contract Logistics operations in Italy, with the opening of a 22,000 square meter temperature-controlled, multi-customer location near Bologna. The facility is intended to cater to consumers throughout the food and beverage industry, along with the e-commerce and consumer goods sectors.
This further solidifies the existing logistics presence of DP World in one of the biggest consumer and manufacturing markets in Europe and enhances its contract logistics capabilities within the food and beverage business. Notably, from Castel San Pietro Terme, nearby Bologna, DP World will bring together e-commerce fulfillment, warehousing, transport, and value-added logistics services in order to offer integrated, comprehensive supply chain solutions to customers within Italy and throughout Europe.
The FMCG Contract Logistics operations in Italy was set up by means of a strategic alliance with an Italian organic food company and anchor customer for the site, Alce Nero. The partnership also allows DP World to oversee key components of Alce Nero’s logistics activities, such as warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, and shipping, which allows the company to put its resources into developing its fundamental business and driving future growth.
DP World Europe’s CCO, Rainer Schmid, said that “launching our first FMCG contract logistics operation in Italy is an important milestone for DP World. Italy is a key European market, and expanding our capabilities here strengthens our network while opening new opportunities in the food and beverage sector. Our partnership with Alce Nero is a strong example of how we want to grow: by starting with a customer need, building the right solution around it and creating capabilities that can then support other businesses in the market.”
The operation comprises capabilities for organic product handling, temperature-controlled storage at 18-20 degrees Celsius, and integrated logistics technology. These capabilities allow the operation to service a variety of consumable businesses ranging from premium and organic brands to customers throughout e-commerce, consumer goods, and technology.
The multi-customer FMCG Contract Logistics operations in Italy comprises of 22,000 square meters has about 30,000 pallet positions and room for other customers. Its proximity to Bologna means it has access to both Italy’s domestic market as well as key European transport corridors, providing an opportunity for DP World to further develop its contract logistics services as customer demand increases.
The general manager of Alce Nero Spa, Renzo Patelli, said, “We are very pleased with the launch of our partnership with DP World. Finding the right logistics partner was an important process for Alce Nero, given the complexity of our business model, which brings together different supply chains, members, partners, and customers across multiple channels, each with specific requirements and logistics flows. This partnership gives us a more integrated approach to managing that complexity and will help make our logistics operations more efficient, flexible, and responsive as we pursue further growth in Italy and internationally. It will also allow us to focus even more closely on our core business: producing and bringing to market high-quality organic food that reflects the values that have always guided Alce Nero.”
Interestingly, the expansion complements the present logistics footprint of DP World in Italy and bolsters its extensive European network, which supports the company’s strategy to offer customers progressively comprehensive, full-fledged supply chain solutions.
