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DACHSER and FERCAM share a long-standing partnership. The family-owned company from Bolzano has been handling the distribution of all general cargo shipments with industrial and consumer goods from the European DACHSER network in Italy since 2003 and feeds corresponding shipments from Italy into this network. Both companies have much in common – this also applies to their corporate history.
(Kempten/Bolzano) The connection of rail and truck – that is what the name FERCAM stands for. The coined term from syllables of the Italian words “ferrovia” for rail and “camion” for truck expresses what the business model of the Italian logistics provider was based on when it was founded in 1949 in Bolzano, South Tyrol: On the transport of goods by rail and truck.
In 1963, the Baumgartner family took over the local transport company. From then on, the integration of the two modes of transport, rail and road, continuous internationalization, and the expansion of the business became the focus of development for the still young northern Italian company. After the turn of the millennium, FERCAM also grew outside Italy and established locations in Slovakia and Romania, for example. In 2005, the family business entered air and sea freight, laying the foundation for its international business. In 2007, FERCAM started transport services in the Maghreb, where it already had its own branch at that time, and in 2012, the company opened a new branch in Tunisia. However, FERCAM also grew strongly in its home market in Italy, expanding its location at the headquarters in Bolzano and investing in its logistics centers in Milan, Padua, Bologna, and near Pavia.
Strong Partnership Leads to Joint Venture
FERCAM and DACHSER have been partners in operational general cargo handling since 2003. Both family businesses share a culture of clear values, where responsibility and respect for customers, employees, and the environment are highly valued. Additionally, there is the ambition to develop innovations and provide logistical solutions of the highest quality.
The long-standing, successful partnership is now culminating in the establishment of a joint venture. According to the contract concluded between the two companies, FERCAM will spin off its business areas FERCAM Distribution (general cargo) and FERCAM Logistics (contract logistics) with 920 employees and a revenue of around 400 million euros in 2022 from FERCAM AG by the end of 2023 and contribute them to a new company in which DACHSER holds 80 percent of the shares.
From early 2024, the joint venture will operate as an independent company under the name “DACHSER & FERCAM Italia S.r.l.” and will report directly to Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics at DACHSER. FERCAM AG will hold 20 percent of the new company.
FERCAM Transport (national and international road and rail traffic), FERCAM Air & Ocean, and FERCAM Special Services (art and trade fair logistics, relocation services, and document management) including all foreign subsidiaries will remain exclusively owned by FERCAM AG and will not be transferred to the joint venture. FERCAM will increasingly drive growth and internationalization, including overseas, in these areas.
There are also some parallels between the companies regarding sustainability. FERCAM, similar to DACHSER, launched an “Emission Free Project” for emission-free city deliveries in 2021. In the area of alternative fuels, FERCAM is also active and has been involved in a South Tyrolean biogas company since 2020.
Opening Growth Potential and Creating Stability
By contributing the business areas of general cargo and contract logistics to the joint venture with DACHSER, the owner family of FERCAM is now taking another step to open up additional growth potential and create security and stability for the future. A new chapter in the history of the former rail-truck forwarder from South Tyrol is being opened.
Photo: © FERCAM
