XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of freight transportation services, and Gruppo ASA, a leader in the manufacture of metal containers, have announced the joint development of new multimodal transport solutions that connect Gruppo ASA’s product manufacturing in Italy with European markets. The bespoke solutions will increase the sustainability of Gruppo ASA’s supply chains to the UK and France by reducing carbon emissions during transport.
The road-rail services are expected to launch in early 2023, and will be a sustainability milestone in the companies’ 16-year partnership. A third multimodal solution is planned for later in 2023 to reduce the carbon footprint of Gruppo ASA’s distribution to Spain. XPO is the primary transport provider for Gruppo ASA manufacturing plants in Chignolo, Rovato and Chiusanico, and its road transport service for Gruppo ASA products is the longest continuously operating distribution network of its kind from Italy to the UK.
The multimodal solutions will be managed on the XPO Connect technology platform, which tracks freight in real time from origin to final destination. XPO’s road fleet will move products from Gruppo ASA production sites to rail terminals in Italy for the next stage of the journey to the UK. Products destined for the French market will continue to travel by road to final customers using road train to optimize load. Products for the UK will travel by rail to Calais, France for transport by ferry to Dover, and then to Liverpool for UK distribution.
Marco Montanari, transport manager for Gruppo ASA, said: “Our long-term partnership with XPO has supported us in making our supply chain more flexible and resilient. It is important to continue promoting innovative transport solutions to also increase the sustainability of our operations.”
Massimo Marsili, managing director – Southern Europe and Morocco for XPO, said: "Gruppo ASA is a premier brand in the manufacturing sector, and an industry leader in committing to environmental protection. We value the strong partnership our teams have built over the years, and we will continue to be proactive in supporting Gruppo ASA with our specialist expertise in the packaging vertical".
XPO is a European leader in multimodal and alternative-fuel solutions that improve on traditional road transport for shippers. The company has been named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune magazine for the last four years.
