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OCT. NOV. 2017
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its experimental use which could
see its launch on the market in a few
years. In fact, in order to transform
research into a commercial product,
the IIT team is creating a startup that
will initially offer this technology to
companies with small quality control
laboratories, but at a later stage they
also address the small producer, who
could have real-time genetic analysis
of the ingredient he is buying.
AT PAGE 10
Qi Partners
The ideal partner
in food experience
A wide range of products, competitive
quotes and a personalised service.
These make up the ammunition
of Agenzia Lombarda, a reference
point for catering in Milan and in
the provinces of Lecco, Pavia, Como,
Varese, Pavia, Alessandria and
Monza
By Chiara Bandini
Its watchword is simply stated: to
ensure the best food experience
through a clever mix made up of a
wide range of products, competitive
quotes and personalised service.
Founded in 1931 with the aim of
becoming a benchmark on the Milan
market for cheese wholesale, Agenzia
Lombarda soon became one of the
most significant players in the food
trade in Milan and its province.
The breakthrough took place in
1987 when the company was taken
over by the present owner, who
soon transformed it into an example
of excellence in the sector. In the
following years, an intense plan of
renewal and modernisation of both
the working and logistical processes
and of the structure was activated. A
process that ended in 2005 with the
transfer of the headquarters to the large
exhibition area of Novate Milanese, and
which established the transformation
of Agenzia Lombarda from a simple
food-reseller to “ideal partner” for
restaurateurs, grocers and food
vendors. Making this journey possible
are two generations of the Sassi family:
that of the founders Maura and Ivano
and brother Romano and that of their
respective children, Massimo, Andrea
and Manuela. Two generations here tell
how the company works and what its
development strategies are.
What are the strengths of Agenzia
Lombarda?
First, a consolidated experience in
the field, to which is added the ability
to choose selected partners and
ensure a streamlined and dynamic
service. Without forgetting a proactive
approach to the sale and particular
attention to the needs of the customer.
Who are your main customers?
We cater mainly to the leaders of
commercial and collective catering
active in the area of Milan and its
surroundings and in the provinces
of Lodi, Lecco, Pavia, Como, Varese,
Alessandria and Monza: restaurants,
hotels, bars, pizzerias, delicatessens,
food resellers, catering companies,
canteens.
How is the range structured?
Our assortment of products, vast
and varied, is constantly evolving,
an inevitable process to react to
the multiple stimuli of a global and
competitive market and to respond to
the needs of a diversified clientele and
one increasingly attentive to quality.
We propose a selection of more than
2,000 items of the best known brands
and the finest Italian and foreign
traditions ranging from cheeses to
salami, from fresh meat to vegetables
and canned fish, through to pasta,
flour, wine, oil and beverages. But we
don’t limit ourselves to food products.
Among the range we supply, there
are also detergents and disposable
articles of paper and plastics. And on
this front we are planning important
changes.
Can you tell us?
Certainly. From January 2018, thanks
to the inauguration of a warehouse
dedicated to non-food, we will widen
this last department reinforcing the
area of detergents and disposable
articles and, above all, introducing a
wide range of products for catering:
we will give the possibility for our
customers to order also cutlery, plates
and glasses.
On the subject of the range, are
there other areas of expansion?
Since last May we have activated a
large deep freeze that has allowed us
to increase storage from the previous
30 pallet places to the current 300
places. And this will allow us to push
strongly on the category of frozen
foods, which is increasingly a pivotal
point in catering orders. The aim is to
become a real specialist in this field.
How is the sales and delivery
service organised?
It is possible to purchase directly at
our headquarters where qualified
staff is available to assist and advise
customers in the selection and
loading of the goods. In addition,
we have a home delivery service in
our area of activity, which allows
you to receive the goods directly at
your point of sale, bar or restaurant.
Carried out with refrigerated
vehicles, the service is daily,
punctual and free in Milan and its
surroundings and in the provinces
of Lecco, Pavia, Como, Varese, Pavia
and Alessandria.
How is Agenzia Lombarda
organised?
The company structure,
the warehouse and the headquarters,
the staff...
Our headquarters insists on a surface
area of over 5,000 sq.m where 40
people work, covering the various
functions in the company: warehouse,
drivers, administrative, general service
personnel and salesmen.
In addition to wholesale, you have
also activated a retail channel...
Exactly: at our headquarters there is
also a shop open to everyone where
there is a wide range of cheeses, meats,
meats, food products and much more.
The idea of supplying directly to the
public comes from a very simple fact:
we like what we do and what we sell.
Finally, what assessment can you draw
from the association with Cooperativa
Italiana Catering?
It is a very positive assessment.
For a company like ours, which
preferentially provides for the
catering trade, being able to count
on a purchasing group like CIC is
fundamental. And this for at least
three reasons. The first corresponds to
the possibility of bringing together the
skills of each member. To give a solid
example, the cooperative is playing
an important role in supporting us in
the entry into the world of frozen food
both on the front of expertise and in
the profile of the stimulus to explore