Two years after Rinaldo Franco celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation in late 1956, the company has inaugurated its new headquarters close to the junction of the West Beltway of Milan. The new premises are strategically well placed with regard to logistics.
The building covers an area of 13 000 m2 and is four times bigger than the previous one in Via Kuliscioff in Milan. It was bought by the company and refurbished completely both inside and outside at a total cost of more than 5 mio euros.
In the new premises are the offices for the trading staff, the graphics department, an extensive showroom and three meeting rooms, as well as a vast central warehouse covering 5 600 m2. This has made it possible to centralise the stock, which was previously held in different logistics warehouses.
Stylish facade
The front of the building is of a contemporary design, with white geometrical components that harmonise with the linearity of the internal structure. On the two floors housing the offices, a number of glass walls and large windows feature, making the workplace a very comfortable and bright location. Employees can enjoy their lunch in a large indoor break area or a structure outside. The warehouse has four platforms and two doors at the same level looking out onto a large square, where trucks can easily manoeuvre to load and unload goods.
The shelves used in the warehouse have been studied to optimise routers, spaces and pick-up times. A new "drive-in" structure for bigger items makes goods storage easier compared with the previous facility.
"This important investment follows the strong growth of the company during the last few years," states Dan Franco, president of Rinaldo Franco. "It will permit the realisation of the new development projects planned with the third generation of the Franco family. Our goal is to strengthen our position within the pet care market both in Italy and abroad and to improve the level of service to clients of the speciality trade and large-scale distribution even more."
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Strong in exports
Rinaldo Franco has a presence in more than 30 countries, China included. In the domestic market, the company serves the speciality trade (pet shops and garden centres) as well as the big distribution outlets (supermarkets, hypermarkets, DIY stores). The European…