Il taglio del nastro a Torino

Alla cerimonia del taglio del nastro erano presenti numerose personalità del mondo dei trasporti. Fra gli altri, erano presenti Laure-Anne Moune, Green Mobility & LNG Business Developer di Engie Italia, e oRoberto Gambaro, World Material Flow Operations Director, di CNH Industrial. Accanto a loro, unica realtà del settore del trasporto merci e della logistica, l’amministratore delegato di Smet, Domenico De Rosa. È stato lui, insieme agli altri, a officiare il taglio del nastro. Subito dopo, un mezzo LNG dell’azienda ha effettuato il primo rifornimento presso uno degli erogatori della stazione di rifornimento.

La nuova stazione di rifornimento LNG

La nuova stazione di rifornimento per mezzi LNG trova posto nella sede industriale del gruppo CNH Industrial, su Strada delle Cascinette a Torino. Uno snodo strategico, a ridosso della rete di trasporto autostradale e tangenziale. La stazione di rifornimento si sviluppa su di un’area di circa 5 mila metri quadrati ed è realizzata appositamente per i mezzi pesanti alimentati a gas naturale liquido. In particolare, la stazione è dotata di due erogatori di LNG e quattro di CNG (gas naturale compresso). Inoltre, la stazione possiede anche alcune colonnine per la ricarica dei veicoli elettrici.

L'articolo Inaugurata la nuova stazione di rifornimento LNG di Torino proviene da SMET.

«Our speciality and vocation is multimodality in all its forms», explains Domenico De Rosa. To invest in land-sea intermodality, Smet did not wait for the appeal in favour of the Motorways of the Sea made in 2000, in Messina, by the then President of the Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. «We – states De Rosa – are committed to promoting sustainability since 1995, with a strong use of the Motorways of the Sea, in collaboration and partnership with the Grimaldi Group. With Grimaldi we have developed an ambitious and courageous project that has led us to be leaders in the use of the ro-ro sector, both in the Mediterranean and in the Baltic Sea. In addition to maritime intermodality, we have also developed rail intermodality». On the railway front, it is active in collaboration with the carrier Cfi.

Smet is a link in the logistics chain where Grimaldi and the car manufacturer Fca, formerly Fiat, work together. «Our principle is that intermodality should be preferred because of its lower costs and greater guarantee of environmental protection».

The environment is an objective that Smet has been investing in for years. Just this year it became the first company in the world to put on the road the new generation Iveco S-Way vehicles, which use liquefied natural gas (LNG). «From the very first tests carried out,” explains De Rosa, “the vehicles are presented as a highly advanced product, from which we expect significant results in terms of both performance and consumption».

But De Rosa’s projects do not stop there: «From 2023 we will become diesel free. This means that from then on we will no longer be buying diesel-powered vehicles. We will continue to invest in LNG, but we are also analysing the use of fuels other than liquefied natural gas». The project is still on paper, but comprehensive tests will be presented already in 2020.

The new Iveco vehicles are also 100 percent telematically connected. This is also an important aspect for Smet. «Connectivity allows the maximum use of our vehicles through an IT app that we adopted in 2019. We have drastically reduced the number of empty kilometres travelled and therefore CO2 emissions. We have verified that in the first six months of using the app we have reduced empty journeys by 15%. This makes operators responsible for better use of their assets».

Today the group has an international dimension, but the link with Salerno remains fundamental. «Campania – says De Rosa, who is also president of the intermodality commission of the Alis association – is the capital of intermodal logistics in Italy, with a product value higher than that of Lombardy. However we believe that the creation of the Authority of system of Naples and Salerno has not given overall benefits. It has rationalized some aspects, but much remains to be done on themes such as rear ports and dredging. Ports must be crossed to accommodate large merchant ships and dredging must be able to support the growth of ports. Too often, congestion is causing the quays to close due to overloading. We are increasingly moving towards naval gigantism, we have little time to adapt the infrastructures».

Source: L’Avvisatore Marittimo

L'articolo SMET Intermodal and environment strategy proviene da SMET.

The decrease, according to De Rosa, is linked to multiple reasons but «all attributable to a particular geopolitical contingency: the war of duties has certainly not favored the free movement of goods and has slowed down the export activity by the manufacturing industry. The CEO of Smet hopes that “at the national level, major infrastructural works, vital for transport and for all productive sectors of the country, will be completed as soon as possible».

For the port of Salerno, on the other hand, De Rosa wanted to point out that all operators are waiting with confidence for both the activation of the Special Economic Zone, «which will give a strong boost to the real economy, especially in the South which is strategic for the development of the country». Equally precious will be the dredging intervention «which will allow our port to accommodate ships of increasing size, thus taking advantage of the opportunities of a historical moment that sees the armament increasingly oriented to naval gigantism».

L'articolo De Rosa, in the port of Salerno ro-ro traffic is recovering proviene da SMET.

Today the Smet group, with 1,600 employees, 600 of whom come from the province of Salerno and the South, and a turnover that in 2018 exceeded 260 million euros, is actively involved not only in the training of those working in the road haulage sector, but also in environmental sustainability issues (the company’s slogan is sustainability first).«We were the first – boasts De Rosa – to declare that from 2023 our fleet (3.500 loading units and 300 tractors) will be zero diesel, that we will no longer buy vehicles whose traction is hard coal. We have been pioneers at European level in the use of the latest generation of Eco Truck vehicles, powered by LNG (liquid natural gas), which are increasingly effective not only in terms of environmental sustainability because they reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15% and reduce fine dust by 95%, but also in terms of vehicle efficiency».

The appointment with the change from diesel to LNG is only one stage in the wider project to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 30% by 2030, on the basis of the indications provided by the European Union.«We will make a significant contribution to the development of intermodality – the entrepreneur resumed, announcing by the end of the year the completion of an LNG liquid methane distribution plant for motor vehicles in the Salerno industrial area – through the partnership with the Grimaldi Group. This allows to reduce the kilometres travelled on road by heavy trucks in favour of intermodal maritime transport, especially as regards the routes of the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea».

Training chapter. Here too Smet, which will be present with its own stand at Transpotec Logitec, the largest event dedicated to transport logistics, organized by Fiera Milano, from 21 to 24 February in Verona, wants to be at the forefront.«In December, De Rosa continues, we took on our first woman truck driver, the Romanian Dorica Cornea, an important signal that breaks down a “discrimination” of the past. Even driving a 44-ton truck remains a considerable physical effort, regardless of gender. However, ours was an important gesture, which has not gone unnoticed, we have already received over ten female candidates».

Now it’s a question of screening them, of testing the authentic «vocation» to do this job:«We are preparing – concludes Smet’s CEO – training courses for candidates under 35, if you invest in young force the results will be very beneficial. Sometimes we find a certain basic distrust and then our mission is to aim to develop the passion in the activity that we do, this certainly makes the difference between one job and another». In short, the important thing, but as in this case, is to do it «with transport».

Source: il Corriere del Mezzogiorno

L'articolo Domenico De Rosa, Smet’s challenge: women at the wheel and eco-fleet proviene da SMET.

Ten new Iveco Stralis NP 400

The new Iveco Stralis NP 400, purchased by De Rosa’s Smet Spanish subsidiary, is designed for long-distance use, with power equivalent to that of diesel-powered vehicles. In particular, the new NP 400s are equipped with the Iveco Cursor 9 propulsion unit. An 8.7-litre engine, powered by natural gas, capable of developing 400 hp and a maximum torque of 1,700 Nm. In addition, Smet Spain’s Iveco NP 400s are equipped with a 12-speed automatic transmission for the first time in a natural-gas-powered truck. The Stralis NP 400’s automatic transmission ensures lower fuel consumption and greater driving comfort for drivers.

Smet Group’s commitment to the environment

With eight branches in Italy and five in Europe, Smet is aware that it plays a key role in protecting the environment. For this reason, together with Iveco, the transport and logistics group with a 70-year history has launched a campaign to acquire natural gas-powered vehicles, the so-called LNG. The acquisition of the new Iveco Stralis NP 400 by Smet Spain, in fact, is just the last step on the road to sustainable logistics, which has seen the acquisition of hundreds of vehicles powered by environmentally friendly fuels. A path that, of course, will continue into the future.

L'articolo Smet Spain, first tranche of Iveco Stralis NP 400 coming soon proviene da SMET.

Project 18: Anfia and Smet together

Project 18 was launched by Anfia in June 2009, with the delivery of the first batch of experimental semi-trailers. Thanks to special authorizations granted by the Ministry of Transport, some companies were authorized to use vehicles of extraordinary length. Unlike standard vehicles, which have a length of 16.50 metres, the experimental articulated lorries have a length of more than 1.5 metres. This means that, while using standard tractors and keeping the overall mass unchanged, it is possible to increase transportability.
Compared to a standard articulated truck, which is able to transport 33 europallets, the articulated trucks of Project 18 are able to transport 37 euro pallets. A number that is close to that possible with a truckload, equal to 38 euro pallets, which however has a length of 18.75 meters. A load for Iveco with a standard trailer allows the loading of 22 loading units arranged on two levels, while an experimental trailer allows the loading of 4 more units, ie 26 loading units always arranged on two levels.

The objectives of Project 18

Through the testing program, Anfia has intended to evaluate the performance of new media. The objective of Project 18, first of all, is to compare the convenience in economic terms with the 16.5-meter vehicles. However, the economic one is only one of the terms of comparison. In addition to this, the focus was also on the organisation of transport logistics, road performance and manoeuvrability of vehicles, according to the drivers. Last but not least, the safety of longer vehicles.

71 companies took part in the project, including Smet by De Rosa, for a total of 162 vehicles. For the survey, questionnaires were also administered to the heads of the Traffic Office, as regards the economic and organizational aspects, and to drivers, as regards the aspects of maneuverability and safety of vehicles. «Smet was the first Italian company to join Project 18 and today we have the majority of licenses issued by MIT for centered vehicles – adds De Rosa – We are currently testing a vehicle of 18 meters, with a much greater load capacity than standard vehicles of 16.50 meters. As proof of the daily commitment to sustainable transport – concludes De Rosa – at the end of 2016 the Smet group was awarded the prestigious Sustainability Award by Cnh Industrial for the introduction of ecological, economical and efficient road transport systems. We are in fact the only Italian company to use Iveco Stralis LNG, powered by liquid natural gas, combined with semi-trailers with an extraordinary length of 18 metres».

The results of the experimentation in the second phase

In February 2017, it was already possible to draw up an initial assessment of the experiment. After approximately 10 million actual kilometres, in particular on medium-long stretches (200 – 600 kilometres), no particular problems were reported. On the contrary, the results obtained appeared to be significant: for example, according to the heads of the traffic office interviewed, it was possible to find an average saving of 12% in terms of number of trips. According to 74% of the drivers, however, there are no differences between 18-metre trailers and traditional trailers. The same percentage of drivers, in fact, found no problems of manoeuvrability. On the safety front, the results were encouraging: 83% perceived the same safety and 7% even better, compared to 16.50-metre trailers. Finally, the most important question: has there been a deterioration in performance and, in particular, with regard to transport times? According to 92% of drivers, no. The umpteenth proof of the goodness of Project 18.

L'articolo Project 18, second phase of the experimental programme completed proviene da SMET.

The life of Luigi De Rosa and Smet

Luigi De Rosa was born on December 13, 1955. Since he was young, he has worked alongside his father, Domenico, in the family business. At the age of twenty, in 1975, he was already active in his father’s transport business. In that year, De Rosa took over the first idea of what was to become Smet, which everyone now recognizes as a leader in the road transport sector.
Realizing the potential of the sector, De Rosa launched a policy of expansion in terms of integrated logistics. In particular, De Rosa’s commitment is aimed at the automotive, glass and chemical sectors. Thanks to the acquisition of important international orders, the Smet group soon became a multinational group, operating throughout Europe. The group opens subsidiaries in Spain, Germany, France, Greece and Romania. In addition to the general management, which operates in Salerno, these subsidiaries also have nine other operating offices located throughout Italy.
In 1993, De Rosa and Smet acquired Fiat Auto’s logistics business units, specializing in outsourced complex logistics flows, advanced warehouse management and the development of further industrial component processes. In 1996, Smet Trasporti turned its attention to intermodal maritime transport. In a short time, the transport company became a leader in transport along the Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian, Adriatic and Baltic Seas, with branches as far as North Africa.
Thanks to this frenetic activity, which has been going on for over forty years, today Smet is a leader in the field of logistics and road transport. This leading position is reflected in the numbers: the entire Smet group, in fact, employs over 600 direct and over 400 indirect employees, with an aggregate turnover of over 200 million euros.

De Rosa’s commitment to the territory

Although his entrepreneurial vision has led him to extend his activities throughout Europe, De Rosa has never put aside the link with the territory. It is also for this reason that Smet’s head office has never left Salerno. Here, Luigi De Rosa, supported by his family and in particular his children, has continued his commitment to the territory. Both in order to bring employment to the area of birth, and to defend the environment through policies aimed at reducing the impact on nature. With this in mind, the Smet group has long since started a program of replacing its fleet with ecological vehicles.

Satisfaction with the appointment of Confcommercio Salerno

Luigi De Rosa, together with Smet, is a member of Confcommercio Salerno. A great satisfaction, therefore, also for the president of the association, Andrea Prete: «I am very pleased with the appointment as Knight of Labor of Luigi De Rosa of Smet, a company from Salerno in the logistics and transport sector – commented the President – finding his name among the 25 new knights, awarded today by the President of the Republic, is a reason for great satisfaction for all the entrepreneurs of Salerno. A recognition that acquires even more value, because it was obtained by a southern entrepreneur: a man at the head of an organization that has successfully taken up the difficult challenge of global competition». One aspect, that of international competition, was also underlined by the President of the Knight of Labor federation: «This is where Italy’s ability to successfully face international competition is represented – said Antonio D’Amato – and to establish itself on global markets».

L'articolo Luigi De Rosa appointed knight of Labor proviene da SMET.

Smet’s award ceremony to De Rosa

The award ceremony for the Impresa oltre Salerno award was held during the public meeting of Confindustria, at the Teatro Verdi in Salerno, on 8 November. In the presence of Vincenzo Boccia, president of Confindustria, the prize was presented to the De Rosa family, who has been running the transport and logistics company in Salerno for about seventy years. The prize was collected by the president of the Smet group, Luigi De Rosa, the company’s managing director, Domenico De Rosa, and Smet’s administrative director, Andrea De Rosa.

Reasons for the Impresa oltre Salerno award

A recognition that Smet has received for its commitment over the years in the area. After almost seventy years of activity, in fact, today the entire Smet group represents one of the leaders in the field of logistics and road transport. A prominent role, underlined by the recent renewal of the car park, with a strong focus on the eco-sustainability of transport.

Smet’s growth, according to De Rosa’s words

The growth recorded by the logistics and transport company of Salerno, as mentioned, is witnessed by the renewal of the fleet. A commitment that has followed the road, already outlined by Luigi De Rosa, and then continued by his sons, of the eco-sustainability of road transport: “We care about the decongestion of the European road networks: therefore, we have invested and will increasingly invest in the use of the most modern technologies, with liquid methane trucks (LNG) of the latest generation and with special trailers with high loading capacity so as to reduce the emission of CO2 for each unit moved. In addition to this – said Domenico De Rosa of Smet – we rely on logistics management services both within our customers’ production sites and in our own facilities at strategic points throughout Europe, for a total area of over 300,000 m²“.
Thanks to the new investments, today Smet can count on a fleet of vehicles that few companies in the sector can boast: “Currently we have a fleet of 650 power units, of which 70 are LNG and 2,500 are trailers. We directly employ 750 people,” continued De Rosa, “plus another 450 indirect employees. From our headquarters in Salerno, we have 15 offices in Italy, 3 in Spain, 2 in Germany and Romania and one respectively in Greece, Belgium and Tunisia”.

L'articolo Enterprise beyond Salerno, Confindustria awards De Rosa’s SMET proviene da SMET.

Smet’s new Iveco Stralis

In recent months, the integrated logistics company had signed a contract which, within three years, will bring 330 new vehicles into its fleet. These include the new Iveco Stralis powered by the new Iveco Cursor 8, powered by liquid natural gas. Ten of the new ecological vehicles were delivered to Smet for transport last March in Parma.

This is an operation of great significance, not only in terms of investment, but also from an ecological point of view, as witnessed by the presence of Iveco’s Brand President, Pierre Lahutte: «Today’s delivery is recognition of Iveco’s farsightedness which, for over 25 years, has focused its investments on the search for technological solutions with a low environmental impact – said Lahutte – above all on natural gas, which represents the most concrete sustainable alternative to diesel».

Sustainable logistics by De Rosa’s SMET

The new Iveco Stralis LNG, equipped with a 510-litre cryogenic LNG tank and four 70-litre CNG cylinders, are able to maintain their power output, with 330 hp, and range of over 750 kilometres. All of this significantly reduces emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere and, in particular, of carbon dioxide. The latter is a result that goes precisely in the direction that Smet of De Rosa has been pursuing for some time. Since Luigi De Rosa took over the company more than forty years ago, the logistics company has always sought to achieve sustainable logistics through transport that produces a low environmental impact.

The future of sustainable transport at Smet.

The delivery of the first ten Iveco Stralis LNGs is just the beginning of Smet’s sustainable transport strategy. Together with the gas vehicles, the Salerno-based road haulage company will also receive the new Iveco Stralis equipped with the new Iveco Cursor 11 engine. This 480 hp engine is equipped with the innovative HI-SCR catalytic reduction system. Thanks to this measure, while not increasing the weight of the propulsive unit, Iveco manages to maintain the Cursor 11 within the stringent parameters of the Euro 6 standard.

L'articolo Smet, first Iveco Stralis LNG delivered proviene da SMET.

Smet’s new ecological fleet

Those that will be bought by Smet, however, are not just Iveco Stralis. These are the newest vehicles in LGN, liquefied natural gas. It is a special feeding technology, which guarantees a reduced quantity of emissions into the environment. The new vehicles ordered by Smet are equipped with an Iveco Cursor 8 C-LGN Euro 6 330 hp engine. The engine system is also equipped with an LGN cryogenic tank with a 510-litre capacity and 4 CNG cylinders with a total volume of 70 litres. All in all, the range of these new Stralis tanks exceeds 750 kilometres, making them perfect for medium and long-distance use.

The novelty, however, lies in the reduced environmental impact that these vehicles have. Each of them manages to reduce the amount of particulate emissions by 95%, compared to an equivalent diesel engine. In addition, the new Iveco Stralis LGN also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 35% and carbon dioxide emissions by 10%. If the Stralis are then powered by bio-methane, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 100%.

Smet’s attention to the environment

The low environmental impact that the new Iveco Stralis allow us to achieve is a step in the direction that Smet has always followed in its history. Since its foundation, the company’s sole director, Luigi De Rosa, has always focused on the environment.

For this reason, together with the Stralis fuelled by liquefied gas, Smet logistics and transport will also receive the new Stralis equipped with the new Iveco Cursor 11 engine, Euro 6. A 480 hp engine equipped with the innovative HI-SCR catalytic reduction system. This is a technology recently introduced by Iveco, which allows emissions to be brought into line with Euro 6 standards without the addition of complex components that would weigh down the vehicle.

In this way, Smet continues to focus on sustainable logistics and sustainable transport. Smet, together with the De Rosa family, has always focused its attention on environmental protection. It is no coincidence that in 2016 the company received an award for reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the air. Thanks to the ecological solutions adopted by De Rosa’s Smet, the company has reduced its CO₂ emissions by 19.710 tons.

L'articolo A new fleet of sustainable vehicles for De Rosa’s Smet proviene da SMET.