Tech-Driven Logistics, Tailored Supply Solutions

Q: Savino Del Bene is celebrating its 125th anniversary. How has the company evolved in the Mexican market, and what role does it play in the country’s logistics sector today? 

A: Savino del Bene, an Italian multinational company, aims to be an agile and efficient forwarder with global coverage while maintaining a local touch. In Mexico, it operates 12 offices in key cities such as Monterrey, Mexico City, Leon, Queretaro, and Guadalajara, with plans to expand to Merida. The company hires local talent to better understand regional challenges, combining this local expertise with the support of a globally present, privately-owned company, enabling agile and personalized decision making.

Q: What role does México play within Savino del Bene's strategy? 

A: Mexico has become a key revenue driver for Savino del Bene, rising from the 25th to the 15th position within the group. In less than a year, the company doubled its volume from 15,000 to 30,000 TEUs. We now focus on sustaining this growth by strengthening strategic trade lanes, particularly with Italy, where the company has a strong presence in the fashion sector. 

Expansion plans include becoming the top forwarder between Spain and Mexico, capturing 1% of the Chinese market, and entering the Top 10 in Mexico-Colombia trade. In this year the company supports its clients’ global expansion, providing logistics solutions wherever they grow.

Q: As the largest Italian shipping company, how does Savino Del Bene differentiate itself in Mexico’s competitive logistics industry? 

A: Savino del Bene stands out in Mexico’s competitive logistics industry by combining the strengths of a large multinational with the agility of a mid-sized company. It has the structure, purchasing power, and high-level services of major players while maintaining the ability to make quick, decisions and locally support. 

With strong trust from its headquarters in Italy, the Mexico team operates independently, ensuring swift and effective responses. Despite having 150 employees, the company generates over MX$1.5 billion in revenue, balancing global reach with local adaptability.

Q: How does Savino del Bene ensure that clients receive tailored logistics solutions that meet their specific needs?

A: Savino del Bene ensures tailored solutions by strategically segmenting its clients. It focuses on key industries such as fashion, pharma, healthcare, building materials, project cargo, energy, oil and gas, machinery, luxury furniture, automotive, and retail from China. Clients with fewer than 25 operations per year outside these sectors are not prioritized.

The company builds long-term relationships by aligning with industry needs, acting as an integrated supply chain partner rather than just a freight provider. This commitment is reinforced through industry-specific trade shows, global sector specialists, and direct engagement with clients, supporting them in their growth.

Q: Which logistics services are most in demand from your key industries in Mexico? 

A: Our core business is maritime transport, but air freight is a growing focus, with a goal of reaching 4,000 tons this year. Additionally, there is high demand for ground transportation solutions such as FTL, LTL, and Hot Shots, particularly for shipments to the United States.

A key challenge is supplier evaluation — partners must meet strict requirements, including CTPAT certification. We prioritize operational control and reliability, ensuring that any provider we work with meets our high standards before handling our clients’ cargo.

Q: How does Savino del Bene leverage technology, such as geo-fencing and AI, to enhance its logistics services?

A: Savino del Bene integrates technology through its dedicated Savino IT Service team, which develops custom EDI solutions for seamless connectivity with clients’ systems. While the company has a 125-year history and strong traditional business practices, it also embraces modern trends in predictive analytics, traceability, and AI-driven logistics.

Balancing tradition with innovation, Savino del Bene invests in in-house technology solutions while collaborating with strategic tech providers to enhance efficiency and sustainability — now a necessity rather than an option.

Q: How does Savino Del Bene Sustainable Shipping contribute to green logistics initiatives? 

A: As a EU company, sustainability is a core priority for Savino del Bene. In Spain, the company has fully renovated its warehouse to ensure carbon footprint traceability for every shipment. Additionally, Savino del Bene is a certified member of Ecovadis and holds the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification for the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring both sustainability and quality standards.

These certifications are essential for serving industries like pharmaceuticals and automotive, reinforcing the company’s commitment to green logistics and responsible supply chain practices.

Q: What factors have driven Savino del Bene’s rapid growth in Mexico?

A: Several key factors have contributed to this growth. First, the disruption in supply chains in 2022 and the rise of nearshoring created new opportunities. Second, the company successfully attracted top talent with expertise in strategic industries.

Additionally, Savino del Bene implemented a comprehensive management system in Mexico, aligning operations, sales, and administration toward a common goal: capturing 10% of the Italian and Spanish markets, 1% of the Chinese market, and 6% of the Colombian market. With a clear strategy, the team prioritizes businesses that align with these trade lanes and key industries, ensuring sustained expansion.

Q: What are the main challenges Savino Del Bene faces in its operations in Mexico, and how is the company addressing them?

A: One of the biggest challenges is balancing automation with personalized service. While technology enhances operations, Savino del Bene ensures each shipment has a dedicated executive, maintaining close communication and a strong client relationship. In freight services, ocean shipping remains the core focus, particularly on routes from China, Spain, Italy, Colombia, and Germany. Air freight is also significant, especially from Germany.

Demand for land freight is high in Mexico, as the country moves about 68,000 containers annually from Spain, and 18,000 truckloads cross into the United States daily. However, given the critical nature of industries like automotive and aerospace, any delays can lead to major disruptions.

To mitigate risks, Savino del Bene prioritizes reliability over volume, focusing on its strengths in ocean and air freight while carefully selecting land freight operations that align with its service standards.

Q: In a changing market like logistics, how does Savino del Bene help its clients feel certain despite uncertainties?

A: Providing absolute certainty is a challenge, but Savino del Bene offers expertise and viable alternatives to navigate disruptions. For example, in response to the Red Sea crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the company leveraged alternative routes, such as shifting shipments from the Suez Canal to direct India-Mexico services (Mundra to Veracruz). Similarly, when the Panama Canal faced water shortages, Savino del Bene identified alternative crossings and set realistic expectations for transit times.

Regarding US trade policies, the company anticipates fluctuations due to tariffs, as seen in early 2024, when businesses accelerated shipments in response to commercial uncertainty. Mexico’s nearshoring position remains strong, with trade between Mexico and the United States breaking records and reaching US$41.6 billion in January, the highest January growth since 1985.

By staying ahead of global disruptions and offering customized logistics solutions, Savino del Bene ensures its clients have reliable options amid market uncertainty.

Q: How does Mexico position itself in global supply chains beyond its relationship with the United States?

A: While US-Mexico trade is crucial, Mexico plays three key roles in global supply chains: as North America’s competitive manufacturing hub with skilled yet cost-effective labor, as a key supplier to Latin America and the Caribbean for goods like paper and diapers, and as a strong domestic market driven by its large population. However, sustaining nearshoring growth requires addressing infrastructure challenges, including energy investments in San Luis Potosi, water supply in Monterrey, highway security, and customs digitization. Without these improvements, Mexico risks slowing its nearshoring momentum, regardless of US political shifts. To ensure a smooth landing for foreign investment, Mexico must proactively enhance its competitiveness.

Q: What emerging trends are expected to shape Mexico’s logistics industry in the coming years? 

A: The logistics industry is in evolution, and its full potential extends beyond distribution and delivery to supply chain control and customer experience. In Mexico, e-commerce is driving demand for high-quality services. However, without regulatory frameworks to address last-mile delays, security risks, and overall risk reduction, logistics will struggle to reach its full potential. The upcoming USMCA renegotiation presents another challenge, requiring strategic policies to maximize trade benefits. While Savino del Bene invests in technology, skilled personnel, and acquisitions to expand capacity, its core focus remains customer experience. Despite external uncertainties like road conditions and security, the company prioritizes a human-centric approach, ensuring tailored support throughout the supply chain.

Q: What are Savino Del Bene’s main objectives for 2025, and what key milestones would define a successful year? 

A: In 2025, Savino del Bene aims to position itself not just as a logistics service provider but as a technology-driven logistics advisor and partner. This involves enhancing the expertise of its team and fostering long-term partnerships with clients by deeply understanding their business models and supply chain needs. The company’s success will be defined by its ability to offer end-to-end solutions — from origin pickup and international freight to customs clearance and quality control — leveraging its over 25 years of local experience in Mexico by our Managing Director Teodosio Scarinzi, integrating strategic suppliers and ensuring operational fluidity, Savino del Bene seeks to provide clients with tailored logistics expertise while continuously exploring new opportunities for growth and trust-building in the industry.

Savino del Bene is a multinational company operating worldwide in international shipments and logistics support services.