CPR System celebrated its 20th anniversary with €134 million in transfers. On 22nd June 2018, the company organised an event at Castello Estense in Ferrara.
The event took place in the cellars of the old Castello Estense
"We ended 2017 with a 1.7% increase in turnover, reaching €55.7 million. We handled goods for €134 million with a growth of 2.33%. I'd like to stress that we're an example of circular economy, so we do not produce waste and collaborate with producers, logistic operators and retailers. We're a company that is growing, produces value and is based on values. We look at the future even though, during this event, we are focusing on what brought us here," explained President Francesco Avanzini.
President Francesco Avanzini
A video retraced the history of CPR. Gianni Bonora, director between 1998 and 2012, and current director Monica Artosi also intervened. CPR recycles all crates, transforming old damaged crates into new ones. After 20 years, tariffs for users remain the same. CPR is now focusing on pallets.
FC LOG, a company owned by CPR System, contributes to this success. Crates are collected by producers and storage facilities, filled with produced and delivered to retailers. Once emptied, they are collected, sanitised and reused. When it's not possible to repair damaged ones, they are used to create new ones.
A lot of people took part in the event
Paolo De Castro from the European Parliament in Brussels stressed how the Community agricultural policy is increasingly focusing on sustainability and respect for the environment. Consumers expect eco-friendly solutions and the agricultural world must commit to avoid waste and reduce pollution. Nowadays, sustainability means innovation through smart farming and intraspecies technology to tackle diseases genetically rather than with chemicals.
Round table with Simona Caselli, Diego Bastoni, Francesco Avanzini and Giorgio Zampetti
Regional councillor for agriculture Simona Caselli said that "for the past few years, the Emilia-Romagna region has been committed to reduce waste. In 2017, it reached a countervalue of €20 million of produce saved. Subproducts are also recovered."
Apofruit Italia director Ilenio Bastoni also highlighted how innovation is important to respect the environment. The union of producers who set up CPR found a way not to suffer the logistic system but to be protagonists of it.
Long-time employees and former presidents and directors were rewarded. Marco Salvi, Renzo Piraccini, Maura Latini were presidents, while the current one is Francesco Avanzini. Gianni Bonora was a director, now replaced by Monica Artosi
"Good part of our crates are used in displays, as presentation is essential. They must always be clean to guarantee the maximum health. Our system is winning. We are also studying other lighter plastic materials to which a QR Code can be applied. Basically we are trying to improve the product without increasing its cost," explained Avanzini.
Group photos of collaborators
Legambiente director Giorgio Zampetti added that "sustainability is essential nowadays, while you implemented it 20 years ago when it still wasn't. As Legambiente, we're always in touch with retailers and discussing plastic packaging."
Right: art critic Philippe Daverio
The event ended with a speech by art critic Philippe Daverio, who talked about the cultural side of the city of Ferrara. But he also addressed the fresh produce sector saying "there should be an entry test to become Minister for Agriculture. Why do people with fewer responsibility have to pass tests while Ministers don't?"
Contacts:
CPR System
Via Nazionale 3
44028 Gallo (FE)
Tel.: (+39) 0532 823949
Fax: (+39) 0532 823938
Email: yliana.gonzalez@cprsystem.it
Web: www.cprsystem.it
CPR System
Via Nazionale 3
44028 Gallo (FE)
Tel.: (+39) 0532 823949
Fax: (+39) 0532 823938
Email: yliana.gonzalez@cprsystem.it
Web: www.cprsystem.it