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DEC. JAN. 2021 II see the light at the end of the tunnel. I remember once hearing a curious phrase: if you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, make it! Well, we lived an annus horribilis. Our activities have all suffered more or less prolonged shutdowns over time, which have certainly generated considerable economic damage. It’s true, the arrival of the vaccine does not assure us how much longer we will have to wait to see the end of this massacre, to be able to regain possession of our life, our locations, the closeness of our loved ones, the hugs, the handshakes, the possibility to enjoy our free time, to go out, to go to the bar or to the restaurant. Still, we have to start doing something. We have to ‘reorganise the race’ knowing that we will still encounter many difficulties, that it will not be easy at all, that we will probably fall again. But what I can assure you, and I speak for CIC, is that we have never stopped. We have tried in every way to support you, we have studied solutions together with you, supplies, strategies. In short, we have tried to ‘make’ this tunnel. Today, we are still just a few kilometres from the finish line. On the horizon you can see the “last lap” sign. January is already here, are you ready for the last mile? By Silvestro Panconi, AT PAGE 8 IQ MEMBERS Lazio and Sardinia On this side of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Lazio has over 37,500 companies active in catering services. A figure that corresponds to 11% of the national total and places the region in second place in Italy, just behind Lombardy (Fipe data, 2019). Beyond the sea, Sardinia, with just over 11,000 businesses, accounts for 3.3% of the domestic market. Two profoundly different regions, united however by a common desire to give a positive and concrete response to the crisis triggered by the pandemic. As confirmed by the strategies implemented by the members of Cic, operating in these territories. by Manuela Falchero Formasal Distribution Range Thanks to the experience gained in over 35 years of activity, the company is able to respond fully and satisfactorily to the entire Horeca sector thanks to an assortment of no less than 20,000 products, with particular attention to the medium- high catering channel. In addition to the wide range of food products (dry, fresh, frozen, delicatessen) and beverages (wines, spirits, beers), the range is completed by a wide choice of non-food products, including dishes (plates, glasses, cutlery and paper and biodegradable items) and equipment necessary for work (fires, ovens, dishwashers, countertops, tables and chairs, suction systems, etc.). Strong points The main string in the bow of the company in Lazio is a very solid reputation built on three cornerstones. The first one coincides with the quality of the range, in which there are also handicraft products of small- medium companies in the territory, exclusively, often not present in the “repertoire” of a wholesaler. The second refers to the continuous control of the goods and the constant search for new products to offer its customers. The third corresponds to the ability to provide advice and training on the commercial front, thanks to a team of specialised personnel always ready to welcome customers, and to the precise and punctual daily delivery service. 2020 News and strategies In mid-October, the new automated warehouse was inaugurated, thanks to which Formasal is now formally recognised as an “Industry 4.0” in compliance with the law. The project is the result of 3 years of study aimed at evaluating the optimal way to apply one of the most advanced technologies in Europe to the dynamics and specific characteristics of the Italian market. The new compactable pallet warehouse, managed by a central VMS with 2,800 pallet places, is an automatic storage site with no less than 24 thousand places with robotic technology using mini-shuttle (among the first in the world, with double temperature). The tripartite system (room temperature, +5C for the very fresh and -25C) makes it possible to guarantee optimal conservation of every type of product and constant respect for the cold chain. Numerous management advantages are guaranteed by the new technology: optimisation of costs, accuracy in orders, reduction of goods preparation times, speed of deliveries, as well as effective management of batches and deadlines. Gelo Mare Range With the exception of the “freshest”, i.e. fruit and vegetables, the Rieti acronym covers the entire range of products needed by Horeca: the “historical” core represented by fish has in fact been flanked by vegetables, meat and sweets. And that’s not all. In fact, to the list must also be added the references of fresh products - with cold cuts, cheeses and vacuum-packed meat - and dry products with a vast assortment of canned products - ranging from borlotti beans to pickled vegetables -, completed by basics such as flour. Strong points Its distinctive feature is its ability to be a locally-soiurced supplier, a plus that allows it to be very fast in deliveries. Central are also the quality guarantee of all the products handled and the attention to the consulting aspect to the customer’s service. 2020 News and strategies With the advent of the pandemic, the retail side was strengthened. Two solid initiatives were launched. The first refers to the activation of the free delivery service throughout the province of Rieti, promoted thanks to a dedicated announcement on the company’s Facebook page. The second corresponds to the online launch of an e-commerce site that was very well received in the spring, making it possible to balance at least in part the loss of revenue due to the closure of the Horeca channel. The online sales platform, which also suffered a substantial standstill MAGAZINE