Spain: Primafrio revenue up 10% last year

The international road transport company Primafrio invoiced 340 million Euro in 2017, which is 10% more than in 2016. "This is a development that responds to the constant improvements in the company's refrigerated transport service and its success in new segments, such as horticultural groupage or its commitment to international expansion," says Juan Conesa, CEO of Primafrio. Consequently, Primafrio remains the leader in the Spanish logistics transport sector (by business volume) for the fourth consecutive year.

For the Murcian company, 60% of the turnover corresponds to horticultural transport activities, standing at the top of both national and European rankings. Factors such as the extraordinary production of fruits and vegetables in the Iberian Peninsula, along with the growing demand for these products, have helped in achieving these very positive data. Juan Conesa says that "the optimization of transport routes and our adaptation to technological innovations have helped make this excellent result possible."

Last year, Primafrio made shipments to 22 European countries, transporting 3 million tonnes of goods. Groupage transport already accounted for 20% of the total business volume in 2017. Juan Conesa says that "2017 has been a historic year for Grupo Primafrio" and points out that these results have been possible "thanks to our customers' appreciation of our quality services." The firm's success is also reflected in the number of employees in the organization, which currently exceeds 3,500 workers.

The company owns a fleet of more than 1,800 vehicles, and its annual fleet renewal program helps Primafrio to meet its sustainability objectives, reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 80%, and polluting particle emissions by 66%. It has also managed to reduce fuel consumption by 8% thanks to the Euro VI engines. All vehicles are equipped with on-board Navigation System, GPS and Fleet Management devices in real time. The trucks, in turn, are equipped with state-of-the-art temperature control devices, with an alert system that makes it possible for the cold chain to remain unbroken, which is a fundamental factor in food safety.

The launch of new services has marked Primafrio's strategy during 2017. In this regard, the most important project in horticultural groupage shipping has been the joint venture between Primafrio and the French Réseau Primever, from which Primaver has emerged.

Primaver is thus devoted to the groupage shipping of fruits and other horticultural products between France, Spain and Portugal, guaranteeing deliveries in the neighbouring countries within 48 and 72 hours. This joint venture has given rise to one of the most important refrigerated fleets in Europe, with more than 2,350 vehicles and a network of 27 platforms. The alliance is making it possible to optimise the groupage flows of fruits and vegetables from all Spanish producing regions to France.

All these services are structured through the platforms that Primafrio has in the Iberian Peninsula (Murcia, Basque Country, Huelva, Barcelona and Lisbon), which have a combined area totalling ​​about 500,000 m2. Of these, 38,000 m2 have temperature control equipment. Furthermore, given its commitment to offering a better service, the firm will open its new headquarters in the coming months, with a total of 106 loading and unloading docks, which will make it the largest platform in Europe.

Based in the municipality of Alhama de Murcia, the new headquarters will be equipped with the most modern information and communication systems. In its first stage, it will have an area of ​​300,000 m2, 15,000 m2 of which will be refrigerated. It will also have pumps, washers, workshop services and an area for drivers' rest featuring a hotel, launderette, restaurant and a canteen.

In the framework of Primafrio's commitment to corporate social responsibility, this new logistics centre will contribute to improving the welfare level of its employees, as it will also feature a playroom, training rooms and a gym, while addressing the needs of its customers and suppliers.