Logistics has to be pro-active
In conversation with Vinko Castrogiovanni, managing director of Fiege Switzerland. Fiege Switzerland is positioning itself as a full-service provider with a focus on individual logistics solutions, international freight forwarding and resilient networks. In this interview managing director Vinko Castrogiovanni addresses industry-specific requirements, the role of digital tools and new opportunities in Zurich. (See also page 12 of ITJ 39-40/2024.)
Mr Castrogiovanni, Fiege is increasingly positioning itself as a full-service provider. What does this mean for your clients?
Our customers can benefit from our real ‘all-round carefree package’. As a full-service provider we offer them end-to-end solutions with individually tailored logistics concepts. They can obtain all of the services they need from a single source – from warehouse logistics to transport and customs clearance to e-commerce fulfilment. Thus our clients receive efficient processes and full transparency along the entire supply chain, and only have to talk to their single central contact.
What services does this include – beyond classic warehousing logistics?
In addition to warehousing logistics we also offer a wide range of other services, including e-commerce fulfilment, value-adding services, returns management, international transport management, forwarding solutions, customs clearance options and digital products. We also support customers in accessing new markets in the field of cross-border e-commerce.
“An all-round carefree package.”
How do you make sure that your solutions remain flexible and scalable?
With modular services and a high degree of automation – if it makes sense. Our digital tools – for example in the customs clearance segment – further increase our efficiency. We remain flexible and ready for growth, thanks also to our multi-user centres, international cooperation across borders in the Fiege Group and a strong network of partners.
International forwarding plays an important role at Fiege Switzerland. What distinguishes your offer here?
Our forwarding expertise is broad. We offer comprehensive overland transport services – from general cargo, to part and full loads, to express shipments – as well as multimodal concepts with trucks, the railways, air and sea freight.
Our expertise in markets such as the Maghreb, the Middle East or Central Asia is particularly noteworthy. We have our own customs declarants, offer GDP-compliant transports and develop individual solutions for special requirements.
What makes Fiege particularly strong in cross-border e-commerce services between Switzerland and the EU?
Our ‘CheckOut2Switzerland’ solution illustrates this nicely. It combines transport, last mile and customs management, individual and collective customs clearance, returns processing with a local address and comprehensive advice – all in one single package.
Our customs software is connected to the customs system and offers real-time reporting and central document access, automated refunds and returns clearance.
How do you combine efficiency and sustainability in transport?
By optimising transport routes and deploying alternative drives and digital control systems. Our experienced dispatchers and customs experts ensure that everything runs smoothly. We also measure our CO2 emissions in a targeted manner, audit our partners and use digital tools for sustainable process design.
Which industries do you work with?
Our clients come from many sectors – from retail, fashion, industry, FMCG, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, chemicals. Thanks to our multi-user locations we can respond specifically to requirements and make sure every client’s needs are integrated.
What is your response to this era’s many new challenges?
We invest in training and further education as well as in management development through our own programmes and through the Fiege Academy. At the same time we’re strengthening our resilience with flexible storage solutions, network partnerships and local structures in Switzerland and in the rest of Europe.
“More automation and AI.”
What are Fiege Switzerland’s strategic goals for the next few years?
We want to continue to grow, expand our digital solutions and actively shape the sustainability of logistics, also through new concepts for a ‘Product Carbon Footprint’ and electric tractors.
We’re also expanding our airfreight activities in a targeted manner, for example with our new location in Bülach, near Zurich airport, and Fiege Air Cargo Logistics Switzerland. [See also ITJ Daily of 4 April 2025.]
How do you expect the industry to develop, realistically speaking?
We expect more automation, greater use of AI, further growing sustainability requirements and an increasing need for localised storage solutions. At Fiege, we actively prepare for these developments in dialogue with our customers.