JCtrans: Hello, Mr. Maurizio Briglia. Firstly, will you please make a brief introduction of COMBI LINE International S.p.A.?
Mr. Maurizio Briglia: Combi Line International is an innovative transport operator with four offices in Italy (Milano, Genoa, Livorno, Napoli) and one in Switzerland with a total of 70 staff employed. The management of the company has a strong tradition in the Italian market place for the past involvements in the liner agency activity, the export and import consolidations (LCL business, NOVCC) and the freight forwarding. The reputation of the company is good both in Italy and abroad where Combi Line is known to be a good partner for more than 100 overseas agents regularly relying on Combi Line for their LCL, FCL and air shipments.
Combi Line has a solid financial background and is operating with its own assets without any financial support from the banks. Payments to the overseas agents are fast, clean and straight and complaints regarding accounting problems are not known to the company.
JCtrans: We know COMBI LINE International S.p.A. offers a wide range of services. Would you please talk about your Service Advantage?
Mr. Maurizio Briglia: Combi Line has a deep knowledge of the major transport ways: on the LCL shipments there are fully equipped export and import teams looking after every step of the transport chain and able to assist in any moment and in any part of the globe. EXPORT consolidation services depart from the Milano CFS to more than 350 destinations overseas.
FCL shipments are handled in a very professional way thanks to dedicated staff keeping contacts with all the shipping lines to obtain the best possible service at the lowest market conditions.
The AIRFREIGHT service, operated by a well experienced staff, is providing fast answers to the needs of customers and the growing number of shipments handled by the airfreight department every month. It is the confirmation that our service and our rates are satisfying both customers and overseas agents.
Another advantage of using Combi Line International's export and import services is the AGENCY NETWORK which is made of excellent transport specialists and top reliable companies in each country of the world. Using Combi Line's agency network is making all people feel comfortable and safe.
JCtrans: Nowadays, the competition in logistics industry is fiercer and fiercer. What do you think is the most important thing to run a logistics company?
Mr. Maurizio Briglia: The answer to the growing aggressive competition is innovation and for innovation. We mean making use of more sophisticated software systems, redesign operating procedures and inventing new ways to handle the business which differ from the traditional ones. A total restyling of the company should be the way to look at the future and to fight the competition better and better. In addition the regular quest for additional services rendered to the customer is a second way to expand the company's business avoiding insisting in the activities which are subject to the heaviest competition.
JCtrans: Would you please talk about the current logistics industry in Italy? Are there any advantages or problems?
Mr. Maurizio Briglia: Problems are always there in every field and are the bread and butter of the logistic industry since the start of the transport. There are today serious problems due to the world crisis but at the same time I recall of other crisis of the past when I observed companies which took advantage of the crisis to shape up and compete better and others which went instead in the opposite direction. However the shrinking trade's consequence of the current crisis should certainly make life more difficult for a number of logistic operators.
Advantages of today's Italian logistic industry are evident when thinking that we are in a country of many ports and many transport operators distributed all over the country which are helping the logistic chain to be more efficient and to get closer to the needs of the final customer. The fact that ships are arriving everywhere, from North to South and from West to East are allowing transportation costs to be cheaper than by land or railway. Problems would instead still concentrate on the heavy competition existing among the various players although small and medium side operators can still resist when they can handle an aggressive approach to the market and if they can innovate their procedures.
JCtrans: Finally, will you please talk about the prospect of COMBI LINE International S.p.A.? Or what's your strategic planning for the next 3 or 5 years? Mr. Maurizio Briglia: In the next 3 years Combi Line will look at expanding in the strategic field of the FULL CONTAINER transport and AIRFREIGHT shipments while opening up to a few other activities related to the logistic industry such as customs formalities, long time storage and distribution of goods. We might also look at opening further branch offices in Italy and possibly start looking at what can be done out of the national boundaries. The plan to reduce the handling of paper and the developing of tailor made software programs are also considered part of the strategic developments in the forthcoming 3 years. |
