Logistica: fenomeni in atto e scenari di trasformazione nel territorio del distretto ceramico di Sassuolo

The paper aims to study the process of transformation undergone by the industrial district in Sassuolo, where the increased relevance of the logistic function may enable the creation of an international hub specialized in the construction sector. The articulation and the internationalization of the production demand a complex and innovative logistic system, which involves several actors and resources. The local logistic service providers play a crucial role in this system as the firms delegate the outbound transport directly to clients. Besides transport service, they deal with the pick up and storage of products, for foreign auto carriers and factories too. As a matter of fact, the import of foreign products is increasing due to international industrial exchanges and the purchase of low cost products. On one hand, foreign companies localize their branches in the district, taking advantage of the high and frequent volumes of goods moved by local LSP. On the other hand, in order to reduce internal costs, firms are more and more engaged in the efficient management of the stocks, which requires investments in qualified and advanced spaces. The transformations studied here reveal high volumes of internal movements, while existing means of transportation, such as train, seem to be underused. For these reasons, if a development of the logistics can be prefigured, the paper proposes to ameliorate the local network and to facilitate strategies of collaborative and rational management of inbound and outbound flows.