Blog - DIF - Italian Food Distribution

New Hub in Catania: DIF Expands Its Network in Sicily

Mariangela Citro — Thu, 12 Nov 2026 14:56:05 +0000

DIF and Geotrans Open New Hub in Catania

The first DIF Network hub hosted by a network partner strengthens food distribution to and from Sicily and opens up new opportunities for collaboration across the food and beverage supply chain.

On 5 November 2026, DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food opened a new multi-temperature hub in Catania in collaboration with Geotrans, a Sicilian company specialising in food transport and distribution. ·

The opening marks a milestone in the network’s development. It is the first DIF hub hosted by a network partner, a model that integrates existing local infrastructure and expertise into a coordinated nationwide distribution system.

With the addition of Catania, the network now operates five hubs across its national and regional network, expanding its presence in Sicily and increasing its capacity to handle food shipments to and from the island.

DIF and Geotrans: A Partnership That Strengthens the Network

The new hub brings together DIF’s operating model and Geotrans’s expertise in handling temperature-controlled products and distributing them to major retailers.

Opening a hub at a network partner’s premises introduces a new way for DIF to expand by combining existing infrastructure and local expertise with nationwide coordination.

Under this model, each company retains its own business identity and contributes to the network’s growth through its experience and knowledge of the local market. Geotrans supports the shared distribution system by providing infrastructure capacity and operational expertise.

As Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Network, puts it, “Collaboration is the main driver of DIF Network’s growth.”

In practice, this means sharing freight flows, information and capacity to create more opportunities for individual companies and improve service across the food supply chain.

Multi-Temperature Hub in Catania

Located at the Contrada Giancata logistics complex in Catania, the new hub provides 14,000 m² of covered space divided into three zones to meet different food storage requirements.

9,000 m² for ambient products
3,000 m² for chilled products at 0 to +4 °C
2,000 m² for frozen products at −25 °C

The warehouse also has 15,000 pallet positions on five-tier racking, 16 loading bays, four of which connect to the temperature-controlled staging area serving the refrigerated storage zones, and a 36,000 m² manoeuvring area.

The multi-temperature layout allows the hub to handle different categories of food products within a single facility while maintaining the storage conditions each category requires.

This setup helps coordinate food and beverage shipments, where temperature control, proper handling and continuity of operations are essential to preserving product integrity.

New Connections for Sicilian Producers and the Wider DIF Network

The opening of the new Catania hub strengthens the link between Sicily and DIF’s national distribution network, creating new opportunities for food producers, DIF network partners and specialist transport companies. The hub combines multi-temperature storage, local expertise and shared coordination tools to improve the management of shipments to and from the island.

For food and beverage producers, the new hub provides access to an extensive distribution network that connects Sicilian producers with markets across Italy and serves a range of sales channels, from large-scale retail to traditional retail and HoReCa. Through DIF Network, producers can manage shipments using shared operating standards, traceability and temperature control, with greater visibility throughout the logistics process and a focus on product integrity from collection to delivery.

For DIF network partners, Catania provides an additional hub for coordinating collections, transit operations and distribution to and from Sicily. Sharing freight flows, operational capacity and information through common tools and procedures helps network partners coordinate their activities, plan operations and maintain service continuity. The hub also extends the reach of individual partners, enabling them to serve customers beyond their usual operating areas by drawing on the network’s infrastructure and expertise.

For Sicilian food transport companies, the project opens up new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Joining the network gives companies access to nationwide transport connections, shared standards and tools for managing shipments, with support from DIF’s regional and operations teams. Companies can reach new markets and build commercial relationships without necessarily having to invest in new premises, vehicles or staff, while retaining their independence and drawing on their knowledge of the local market.

Bringing together producers, infrastructure and local expertise reflects the vision that Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Network, shared at the opening.

“DIF connects producers with Italy’s food logistics and transport companies.”

The new Catania hub puts this vision into practice through a shared facility that connects the needs of food producers with the operational capacity of transport companies, strengthening national coordination, local distribution and service continuity across the supply chain.

A More Integrated Distribution Model

With the addition of Catania, DIF Network now has five national and regional hubs, with the new facility joining those in Piacenza, Bologna, Caserta, Verona.

The opening is part of DIF’s wider effort to integrate food distribution by bringing together logistics infrastructure, transport operators and local expertise.

The partnership with Geotrans shows how DIF can grow by drawing on the resources of its network partners, creating new opportunities for companies within the network and across the food and beverage sector.

The network grows through collaboration, with a shared goal of protecting the value of food products throughout the distribution chain.

Inside DIF’s Regional Hub in Catania

Explore DIF’s Catania Hub

YOUR SHIPMENTS TO AND FROM SICILY.

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The post New Hub in Catania: DIF Expands Its Network in Sicily first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

DIF at Ecomondo 2026: The Discussion on Last-Mile Delivery and Urban Logistics

Mariangela Citro — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:24:00 +0000

DIF Network at Ecomondo 2026: A Discussion on Last-Mile Delivery and Urban Logistics

Antonio Cuozzo, DIF Director, took part in the Mercincittà roundtable, an initiative by Uomini e Trasporti focusing on the evolution of urban freight distribution.

Last-mile efficiency depends not only on what happens within cities, but also on how logistics flows are organised across the entire distribution supply chain.

This was one of the key perspectives shared by DIF Distribuzione Italiana Food during the discussion on urban logistics and last-mile delivery held on 3 November 2026 at Ecomondo, at the Fiera di Rimini.

The event marked the presentation of “Mercincittà – How Last-Mile Delivery Is Reshaping Urban Traffic”, the latest volume in the 100 Numeri series by Uomini e Trasporti. The discussion explored ongoing changes in the sector, operational challenges and potential organisational solutions.

Freight Distribution at the Centre of the Debate

Urban logistics must balance increasingly complex demands: accessibility in urban areas, continuity of supply, delivery efficiency and sustainability across distribution operations. Achieving this balance is particularly challenging in the face of traffic restrictions, limited loading and unloading spaces, and regulations that vary from one area to another.

The Mercincittà publication explores these dynamics through data, analysis and scenarios relating to the last-mile delivery market. Its scope extends beyond e-commerce to include the logistics flows required to supply businesses, retailers, restaurants and points of sale.

The presentation provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives and experiences, exploring the role of infrastructure, information sharing and organisational decisions in shaping the future of urban freight distribution.

DIF's Contribution: The Food Distribution Perspective

Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Distribuzione Italiana Food, took part in the roundtable discussion, sharing the experience of an Italian network specialising in the B2B distribution of food & beverage products.

In food logistics, urban delivery is the final stage of a process that requires operational continuity, appropriate transport conditions, traceability and protection of product integrity. Service quality therefore also depends on the activities preceding the last mile: from goods collection and transit management to the coordination of deliveries across local territories. This integration is the foundation of the DIF collaborative logistics model.

By coordinating hubs, transit points and specialised partner companies, the Network brings together infrastructure, local expertise and shared procedures to organise food distribution nationwide.

This approach combines in-depth local knowledge, which helps address specific territorial requirements, with network-wide coordination that supports the continuity of logistics flows and visibility across the various stages of distribution. For food producers, this means relying on an organised distribution system that accompanies their products through to their final destination. For transport companies within the Network, it means leveraging their specialist expertise as part of a shared operating model.

The Value of Exchanging Perspectives Across Expertise and Distribution Models

The meeting, held in Hall A7, Sala Abete, brought together representatives from different areas of the logistics supply chain.

Alongside Antonio Cuozzo, the discussion featured Lucia Pera from InfoCamere, Michela Crecco from ANIS, Stefano Frisoni from FS Logistix and Edoardo Gamberini from Maxus Italy.

Their different perspectives reflected the many dimensions of urban logistics: from data analysis to transport organisation, from infrastructure to freight mobility solutions.

For DIF, events like this provide an opportunity to contribute to industry discussions and share an approach based on collaboration between companies and the value of local expertise.

The evolution of last-mile delivery requires a supply chain-wide perspective: solutions implemented in urban areas must be aligned with the logistics operations that precede them.

This principle is embedded in the DIF distribution model, highlighting the importance of collaboration between specialised companies, local expertise and operational coordination.

We thank Uomini e Trasporti for the invitation and for bringing together different stakeholders for an open discussion on urban logistics.

With Uomini e Trasporti at Ecomondo 2026: Highlights from the Last-Mile Logistics Discussion

The post DIF at Ecomondo 2026: The Discussion on Last-Mile Delivery and Urban Logistics first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

DIF’s First ESG Report: Sustainability and Responsibility

Mariangela Citro — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:09:32 +0000

DIF Publishes Its First ESG Report

DIF Distribuzione Italiana Food presents its first ESG Report, covering 2025. The document marks the beginning of a structured approach to measurement, transparency, and continuous improvement, reflecting a commitment to responsibility towards the food supply chain, businesses, and local communities.

In food distribution, sustainability means looking at how logistics flows are organised, how product integrity is preserved during transport, how service continuity is ensured, how shipment information is managed, and how different companies work together according to shared principles and responsibilities.

This is the perspective behind the first ESG Report by DIF Distribuzione Italiana Food, covering the 2025 financial year. For us, the document is more than a reporting exercise: it is a new tool for understanding the Network, measuring its impact, and identifying, with greater awareness, the areas in which we can continue to improve and evolve.

The Report reflects our commitment to making our operations, the responsibilities we undertake, and the value we create for the Italian agri-food supply chain increasingly transparent.

Responsibility Across the Entire Supply Chain

For DIF, responsibility begins with our distribution model. Our organisation connects food & beverage producers with specialised transport companies through a nationwide network of hubs, transit points, and partners that share procedures, expertise, and quality standards.

This system is designed to meet the needs of the food supply chain, where service quality depends not only on timely deliveries but also on the conditions in which products are handled and the transparency of logistics operations.

Temperature-controlled distribution, strict separation of different types of cargo, and shipment traceability are the core principles guiding the DIF model. These operational practices help preserve the original characteristics of food products, reduce the risk of deterioration, and minimise waste throughout the distribution process.

Sustainability therefore takes on a tangible meaning, closely linked to distribution quality and responsibility towards both producers and consumers.

The Value of a Network That Grows Together

The sustainability of a distribution system also depends on its ability to organise and make effective use of available resources.

The DIF collaborative logistics model is based on the coordination of infrastructure, vehicles, logistics flows, and local expertise. Working as a network makes it possible to streamline connections, optimise routes, and improve load capacity utilisation, creating the conditions to reduce inefficiencies and logistics waste.

Within this system, partner companies maintain their own business identity while contributing their local knowledge and operational expertise to a coordinated nationwide distribution network.

Efficiency and sustainability thus become complementary objectives: making better use of resources helps reduce the impact of distribution activities without compromising service quality or food integrity.

It is also through this ability to bring together businesses, infrastructure, and shared responsibilities that DIF recognises the value of collective growth.

Measuring Today to Guide Tomorrow's Decisions

Launched in 2025, DIF’s ESG reporting journey takes its first structured form in the inaugural Report, published in 2026.

The document provides an overview of the organisation across the environmental, social, and governance dimensions, establishing a baseline for assessing performance and guiding future decisions.

The process also includes an ESG assessment conducted with CRIF, as part of a broader commitment to strengthening transparency and measurability.

As Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Network, explains:

“This first ESG Report allows us to look at our Network with greater awareness. Measuring means understanding where we stand, recognising the responsibilities we share, and identifying areas for improvement. For DIF, sustainability is closely connected to the way we work every day, alongside the companies within our Network, to protect the value of food products.”

The publication of the Report is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a new phase in DIF’s journey, where the expansion of distribution capabilities goes hand in hand with greater attention to resource management, process improvement, and responsibility towards the supply chain.

A commitment consistent with our mission: connecting food production and specialised logistics through a distribution system designed to protect the value of food and people.

Protecting products. Protecting those who consume them.

Read DIF's First ESG Report

The post DIF’s First ESG Report: Sustainability and Responsibility first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

DIF at Transport Connect 2026: Network and Last-Mile Delivery

Mariangela Citro — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 07:52:20 +0000

DIF at Transport Connect 2026: Building a Stronger Network for More Efficient Last-Mile Delivery

DIF took part in the first edition of Transport Connect, bringing a key issue for food distribution to the forefront of the discussion: last-mile efficiency depends not only on transport capacity, but also on how effectively businesses, local territories, infrastructure and information flows work together.

On 2 October 2026, DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food participated in the first edition of Transport Connect, an event dedicated to transport and logistics professionals, organised by La Rotta dei Trasporti and Media Pubblica at the Circuito Internazionale Napoli.

The event brought together companies and industry professionals to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s supply chain: temperature-controlled transport, distribution, last-mile delivery and the importance of network collaboration.

In the food sector, the last mile is one of the most critical stages of the distribution process. Delivery destinations, operational variability and logistics touchpoints are increasing, while the need to ensure continuity, control and product integrity remains unchanged.

From Temperature-Controlled Transport to Last-Mile Delivery: Key Topics at Transport Connect

The day’s programme featured two main panel discussions. The first focused on long-haul temperature-controlled transport, while the second explored the final stage of distribution under the theme: “From Production to Store Shelves: The Crucial Role of Last-Mile Delivery. How Can Network Collaboration Improve Last-Mile Efficiency?”

Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Network, took part in the second panel alongside Marco Casillo, Giuseppe Antonio D’Errico, Francesco Giffi and Marco Baldinelli.

For DIF, this topic is directly linked to its operating model: food distribution is not simply about transport capacity, but about how that capacity is organised, coordinated and integrated consistently across the entire supply chain.

DIF's Contribution: The Strength of Local Expertise, Coordinated Through the Network

During the panel discussion, Antonio Cuozzo highlighted a fundamental principle: in the food sector, transport is not simply about moving goods from point A to point B. It is an integral part of the product’s value. If control is lost during distribution, part of the value created by the producer may be compromised.

This is the foundation of DIF’s approach to the concept of a network.

“Last-mile delivery does not become more efficient simply by putting more vehicles on the road. It becomes more efficient when we organise flows more effectively, leverage local expertise and share information and standards across the entire network.
This is where the DIF model demonstrates its value: connecting companies with in-depth knowledge of their local territories and integrating their expertise into a coordinated distribution system capable of operating on a national and European scale.”

The DIF operating model is built on this very principle.

Companies within the network retain their own identity, local knowledge and entrepreneurial independence, while operating as part of a broader system that connects hubs, transit points, logistics flows, infrastructure, information and service standards.

This is where the network creates value for both sides of the supply chain.

For food & beverage producers, it means access to a more coordinated distribution system, capable of managing products through the different stages of the supply chain, all the way to the point of sale.

For transport companies, it means leveraging their expertise, local presence and operational capabilities within a nationwide system that does not replace individual operators, but extends their reach.

This is the principle behind collaborative logistics: not replacing what already works at a local level, but connecting it more effectively.

Collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, information sharing and greater visibility across logistics flows become operational drivers for reducing fragmentation and ensuring greater continuity throughout the distribution process.

A Key Takeaway from the Discussion: Growth Means Better Coordination

For DIF, Transport Connect was above all an opportunity to exchange perspectives and compare its operating model with different experiences across the supply chain.

The key takeaway for the Network from the event in Sarno is that growth in food distribution cannot be measured solely by the number of vehicles, infrastructure assets or the size of the network. What matters increasingly is the ability to make all these elements work together effectively.

For DIF, this means continuing to strengthen the connection between national coverage and local expertise, between long-haul transport and last-mile delivery, and between physical infrastructure and information flows.

Rather than creating a network that eliminates the differences between companies, the goal is to build a system that enhances their individual strengths within a shared operational framework.

Because in food distribution, extensive geographical coverage matters. But effective coordination matters even more.

Transport Connect 2026: Relive the Highlights of the Event

The post DIF at Transport Connect 2026: Network and Last-Mile Delivery first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

Food logistics: DIF strengthens its network, hubs and connections

Mariangela Citro — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:58:45 +0000

Food logistics: the DIF network grows through new hubs and increasingly connected flows

Food logistics today requires a network capable of managing territory, infrastructure and information at the same time. For DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food, growth is driven by these elements: greater proximity to flows, stronger coordination between network nodes and tools that make the entire distribution process more visible and easier to manage.

In food distribution, proximity remains a decisive operational factor. Being close to territories, delivery points and the last mile means being able to manage flows with greater continuity and responsiveness. But in an increasingly complex supply chain, physical presence is only part of the equation: the movement of goods must be matched by an equally structured and transparent flow of information.

This remains a key issue for the logistics sector in 2026. In an analysis published in July, the Gino Marchet Contract Logistics Observatory of Politecnico di Milano highlighted the evolution of supply chain relationships and the growing focus on flexibility, compliance, transparency and a collaborative approach between shippers and logistics providers. For networks distributed across multiple territories, this evolution translates into a concrete need: operational capacity and coordination quality must grow together.

Two developments currently underway at DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food fit precisely within this dual perspective: the strengthening of the physical network and the evolution of the information systems supporting Network processes.

Closer to the flows: territorial presence as an operational lever

DIF Network operates according to a collaborative logistics model that connects companies specialising in food, hubs and transit points through shared processes and standards. The network currently includes 4 hubs, 63 territorial locations and 54 companies, with a structure designed to combine nationwide capacity with direct knowledge of local markets.

Within this model, a hub does not simply represent additional capacity. Its value depends on the role it plays within logistics flows and on its ability to make the connection between the national network, local territories and the last mile more effective. This is the same logic that has driven the strengthening of DIF’s presence in North-East Italy through the Verona Regional Hub, which forms part of a broader multi-hub organisation.

The same approach will guide the next stage of network development. DIF is working on the activation of new hubs in Southern Italy over the coming months, with locations intended to strengthen the connection between the national network and island-related flows.

The strategic point is therefore already clear: the objective is not simply to add more points to the map, but to increase the Network’s ability to serve areas and flows that require proximity, coordination and operational continuity.

From the physical network to the information network

More nodes, more territories, more flows to manage: as the network grows, the quality of coordination becomes even more important. In this direction, DIF is strengthening its network information system through new functional releases designed to support the Network’s operational evolution and provide a more structured approach to information flow management.

This development reflects the specific requirements of food distribution and the need to ensure greater continuity in the information shared between the central organisation, hubs and network companies. The first releases are expected from the beginning of 2027.

A system that evolves together with the network

In a collaborative logistics model, technology creates value when it improves the ability to read, share and manage what happens throughout the distribution process.

For DIF, the evolution of the information system is moving in this direction: strengthening the digital foundation on which activities, information and operational relationships converge, while maintaining consistency across the different parties involved and supporting more integrated network management.

This path combines infrastructure growth with tools that are increasingly aligned with the complexity of logistics flows and the requirements of a food supply chain distributed across the territory.

Two developments, one direction

New hubs and the evolution of the information system therefore represent two parallel developments within the same model. On one side, greater territorial coverage for physical flows. On the other, stronger coordination of information flows.

Both respond to the same requirement: making a distributed network more connected, transparent and manageable, keeping operations close to the territory and information close to decision-making.

The next steps in the Network’s development will focus precisely on this integration between territory, processes and information.

Also featured on Logistica Efficiente

This topic was also published on Logistica Efficiente, a specialised publication covering logistics and supply chain topics. Read the article on Logistica Efficiente.

A network built to protect the value of food

DIF supports food producers, distributors and transport companies through an organised, widespread network specialised in food distribution.

Food producers and distributors

Tell us about your distribution needs

Transport companies

Find out how to join the Network

The post Food logistics: DIF strengthens its network, hubs and connections first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

Verona Food Logistics Hub: DIF’s Regional Hub

Mariangela Citro — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:42:17 +0000

Verona Food Logistics Hub: DIF’s Regional Hub

DIF’s Regional Hub in Verona, located at Verona Logistics Park, is a strategic facility supporting the management of food distribution flows across the region.

In food distribution, infrastructure capacity is essential. Just as important, however, is the ability to position that capacity close to the territories and flows it is designed to serve.

The DIF Regional Hub in Verona, located within Verona Logistics Park, is a strategic facility for managing food distribution flows across the area. The DIF platform provides over 40,000 m² of operational space, 63 loading bays, and dedicated areas for handling products at 0/+4°C and ambient temperature, strengthening the Network’s distribution capacity across Veneto.

Its location adds a further strategic advantage. Verona Logistics Park is situated approximately 10 km south of Verona city centre, just 2.3 km from the Verona Sud A4 motorway exit and around 10 km from the A22 motorway, one of the main routes connecting Italy with Austria and Germany. The site is also positioned at the intersection of key European east-west and north-south corridors, making it particularly relevant to the organisation of distribution flows.

Its regional role therefore brings infrastructure, network capabilities and market demand closer together, enabling more direct operational coordination and faster management of distribution requirements.

For food producers and transport companies within the Network, this means relying on a facility that is closer to the market and more responsive in managing distribution flows.

Greater proximity, greater responsiveness

The value of the Verona Hub lies not only in its infrastructure capacity, but also in the role it plays within DIF’s territorial organisation.

Verona is the Regional Hub dedicated to Veneto and contributes to expanding the Network’s response capacity across North-Eastern Italy, bringing DIF closer to major production and distribution areas while improving coordination between collection, transit, reloading and last-mile distribution.

The logistics relevance of the Verona area extends beyond the DIF Network. In June 2026, the Veneto Region, the Province and Municipality of Verona, together with Infrastrutture Venete, launched a joint programme aimed at developing a more integrated and intermodal mobility system, identifying Verona as one of Veneto’s main logistics and infrastructure hubs.

Within this context, the regional dimension of the hub allows DIF to maintain a stronger and more continuous presence across the territory, supporting more direct operational coordination and improving responsiveness to changes, priorities and critical issues affecting distribution.

For the supply chain, this translates into three tangible benefits: greater flow predictability, stronger operational control and increased flexibility in managing distribution requirements.

Standards dedicated to food logistics

In food logistics, speed and capacity must always be supported by control.

The Verona Hub operates within a supply chain dedicated specifically to food products, with management at 0/+4°C and ambient temperature, traceability of handling operations and a non-mixing principle that prevents food products from being transported together with goods of a different nature.

Verona Logistics Park also provides qualifying infrastructure features, including LEED Gold certification, an ESFR fire protection system compliant with NFPA 13 standards, and flooring engineered to withstand high operational loads.

These features strengthen the technical environment in which DIF’s Regional Hub operates and support the structured management of food logistics flows.

A strategic node within the DIF Network

The Verona Regional Hub is not a standalone facility. It is one of the logistics nodes through which DIF organises its territorial presence, together with the other hubs, Transit Points and specialised companies within the Network.

It is part of a system in which infrastructure capacity, local presence and operational expertise work together to support food distribution from collection through to the last mile.

This integration is what makes the regional model particularly relevant: closer to distribution flows, faster in operational management and better equipped to support continuity across the food supply chain.

A network that continues to evolve

By the end of 2026, DIF plans further developments across its logistics infrastructure, with additional hubs designed to expand the Network’s ability to move closer to local markets and distribution flows.

The direction remains unchanged: building an increasingly widespread, coordinated network that is closer to the needs of the food supply chain. Further developments will be announced over the coming months.

Inside DIF’s Regional Hub in Verona

Discover DIF’s logistics hub in North-Eastern Italy

A network built to protect the value of food

DIF supports food producers, distributors and transport companies through an organised, widespread network specialised in food distribution.

Food producers and distributors

Distribute with DIF

Transport companies

Join the Network

The post Verona Food Logistics Hub: DIF’s Regional Hub first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

DIF in Logistica Management: the Network in the 2026 Yearbook

Mariangela Citro — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:22:17 +0000

DIF in the 2026/2027 Logistica Management Yearbook

Network development, a new hub and operational capabilities: the updated profile of Distribuzione Italiana Food

The company page dedicated to DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food is now available in the 2026/2027 Logistica Management Yearbook.

The publication provides an updated overview of the Network’s growth path: the expansion of the network, the addition of new companies, the strengthening of its hubs and the evolution of the operational structure supporting food & beverage distribution.

The feature explains how DIF is consolidating its distribution model, expanding its territorial coverage and improving coordination between companies, infrastructure and specialist expertise.

A network dedicated to food distribution

Food distribution requires specific expertise, infrastructure and procedures. It is not simply about moving goods, but about controlling the conditions under which each product is collected, handled, stored and delivered.

DIF coordinates specialist transport companies, hubs e transit points

through shared standards based on clear principles:

product management at the correct temperature;
no mixed loads with non-food goods;
shipment traceability;
transparency throughout the logistics process;
service continuity and consistency across the territory.

The network was created to protect products, recognise the value of the work carried out by producers and provide greater reliability to distributors, large-scale retail operators, Normal Trade, Ho.Re.Ca. businesses and wholesalers.

A network that continues to evolve

In recent years, the Network has strengthened its presence through the addition of new companies, broader territorial coverage and an increasingly structured organisation.

The integration of the former Coldline network, the operational launch of the Verona hub and the appointment of new professionals dedicated to coordination, development and operational quality are helping to make the Network more extensive and closer to the main production and distribution areas.

This development concerns not only the number of operational locations, but also the ability to work as a single system. Network companies, hubs, transit points and central functions operate according to shared standards to ensure continuity, control and consistent service quality.

Today, the network is structured around four strategic hubs:

Piacenza: the Piacenza hub, located at the Le Mose Logistics Centre, is a key reference point for North-West Italy and for national network connections. The facility includes dedicated areas for different temperature ranges, including storage for fresh, frozen and positive temperature-controlled products.
Temperature ranges: 0/+4°C, ambient and -20°C.
Bologna: the Bologna hub, located at Interporto Block 8.1, supports North-East and Central-Northern Italy. It includes dedicated areas for fresh and ambient products and has significant capacity for transit and cross-docking activities.
Temperature ranges: 0/+4°C and ambient.
Caserta: the Caserta hub serves Southern and Central-Southern Italy, as well as connections with the islands, bringing the Network closer to the territories and distribution channels of Southern Italy.
Temperature ranges: 0/+4°C and ambient.
Verona: the new Verona hub strengthens DIF’s presence in the Veneto region and increases the Network’s response capacity in North-East Italy, one of the country’s most important areas for food production and distribution.
Temperature ranges: 0/+4°C and ambient.

This structure brings the Network closer to the main production and distribution areas, reduces operational distances and improves coordination between collection, transit, reloading and last-mile distribution. More extensive territorial coverage also strengthens the ability to serve channels and regions with different operational requirements.

Read the DIF company page in the Logistica Management Yearbook

The Logistica Management publication explores DIF’s development path, network structure, hub characteristics, services and operational capabilities supporting food distribution.

A network built to protect the value of food

DIF supports producers, distributors and transport companies through an organised, extensive network specialised in food distribution.

Producers and distributors

Distribute with DIF

Transport companies

Join the Network

DIF, THE NETWORK THAT MOVES ITALIAN FOOD.

The post DIF in Logistica Management: the Network in the 2026 Yearbook first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

Cold Chain 2030: technology, data and people at Zerogradi 2026

Mariangela Citro — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:43:23 +0000

Cold Chain 2030: technology, data and people at Zerogradi 2026

Antonio Cuozzo, Director of DIF Network, took part in the Zerogradi 2026 round table, a key event for temperature-controlled transport and the cold chain. He contributed to the discussion on risk management, technology and operational culture across the cold chain.

Around 200 professionals from the temperature-controlled transport sector gathered on 25 June at the Museo Auto Storiche in Brescia for Zerogradi 2026, the annual event organised by evenT and dedicated to cold logistics.

The day alternated technical discussion, presentations and networking opportunities. At the heart of the programme was the conference “Cold Chain 2030. The challenge of decarbonisation between technology, regulations and risk management.”

For the Director of DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food, participation in the panel represented an opportunity to engage with the sector. It also made it possible to bring the perspective of those who deal every day with the operational complexity of the cold chain.

Also taking part in the panel were Elisa Brolli from DV Area, Bruno Cortecci, President of the Refrigerated Transport Section of Anfia and Francesco Mittica from Nivalis Energy Europe.

Cold Chain 2030: a sector called to manage complexity

The core of the day was the discussion on the transformations currently affecting the cold chain sector. Technological innovation, regulatory evolution, environmental sustainability, process digitalisation and risk management are now increasingly interconnected topics.

The debate started from the 14 technology trends presented by Professor Paolo Volta, educational coordinator of evenT: from blockchain ledgers to IoT sensors, from ADAS systems to black boxes, through to the automation of document flows.

These tools already exist and, in many cases, are already mature. However, the real challenge is making them work across the entire supply chain.

Antonio Cuozzo underlined this point with a key statement: “Technology can be of great help to companies, but it must go hand in hand with culture.”

The Italian cold chain market experiences this issue directly. On the one hand, there are structured operators capable of integrating TMS, sensors, training, compliance and operational control. On the other hand, many smaller businesses remain. For these companies, managing technological investments, documentation requirements and economic margins at the same time is a concrete challenge.

In this scenario, temperature, journey and documentation data only have value if they generate decisions. They must not remain simple numbers collected and archived.

Data becomes useful when it helps prevent anomalies, activate timely responses and improve service. This is the difference between having tools and truly having control.

This transition requires skills, method and dedicated training time.

Clients and regulations: two speeds to align

The conference clearly highlighted the heterogeneous nature of clients.

Some clients see the cold chain as a lever for quality, continuity and traceability; others still consider it mainly as a cost item. This gap affects the market’s ability to economically recognise everything behind a temperature-controlled service: auditability, anomaly management, data quality, fleet renewal, document control and operational continuity.

The same complexity also applies to the regulatory framework. The direction towards greater dematerialisation and more digital controls is clear, but the European framework does not yet translate into truly uniform practices across different countries and operational contexts.

Bruno Cortecci also recalled this point, highlighting how the ATP agreement remains not only a technical matter, but also an organisational and documentary one.

For a distribution network, this means working on shared operational standards, quality of information and people training.

Only when processes, data and skills move coherently do digital tools stop being formal requirements and become a real part of the way people work.

Towards 2030: skills, data and supply chain responsibility

Looking ahead to the coming years, the view shared by the panel is that cold logistics will continue to grow and become increasingly strategic for food and pharma.

However, it will also become a more selective sector. Transport capacity alone will not be enough. On the contrary, the ability to manage complexity will be essential.

The difference will lie in the ability to integrate network, data, people and technology. Not as separate elements, but as a single, coherent system.

Skills will be central. The cold chain can no longer be considered a purely executive field: it requires professionals capable of reading processes, data, regulations, risks and impacts on product quality.

In this sense, technical training and logistics culture become decisive levers to make the sector’s evolution sustainable.

At the end of the conference, the jury awarded the Zerogradi Award 2026 to SV Noleggio, for its commitment to the fleet’s energy transition and to driver-assistance systems supporting driver safety.

Days such as Zerogradi confirm an increasingly clear conviction for the entire supply chain: in temperature-controlled logistics, competitive advantage does not come from a single tool, but from the ability to make technology, processes and people work together as one system.

That is where risks are reduced, service quality increases and sustainable growth is built for the entire Italian cold chain.

For DIF, this vision is consistent with its network model: food & beverage distribution, shared standards, territorial presence, operational control and constant attention to product protection.

DIF – Distribuzione Italiana Food
Protecting the product. Protecting those who consume it.

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Always on the Move: Torello, TN Service, and DIF at Transpotec Logitec 2024

Fabio Pastore — Fri, 30 May 2025 13:40:26 +0000

The driving force behind the future of transport and logistics consists of innovation, sustainability, and last-mile solutions. This vision was made crystal-clear at events such as Transpotec Logitec 2024, where Torello, TN Service, and DIF gathered to meet partners and other industry-related players in order to exchange ideas, learn from each others’ experiences, and with whom they share the same passion.

The event, held at the Fiera Milano from 8th to 11th May, showcased an outstanding exchange of ideas and insights within the ANITA Village. It was organised by the National Association of Road Transport Companies, representing the Torello group alongside another 1,700 members and proved to be fertile ground for discussion and debate, fostering synergy among industry professionals and promoting sustainability culture within the logistics sector.

Indeed, sustainability was a common thread that ran throughout the Transpotec Logitec 2024 trade fair. It was a crucial turning point for the industry, considering that CO2 emissions from freight transport amount to approximately 30% of total road transport emissions.

Solutions are within easy reach, and the industry is striving to put them into action. Find out more about how they are doing it.

Transpotec Logitec: A Premier Showcase for Innovations in Logistics and Transport

According to Eurostat, over 80% of goods are transported by road; this makes decarbonisation an urgent goal to achieve, especially with the forthcoming deadlines relating to the European Roadmap for Road Transport.

Technological innovation is the only way towards such goal and at Transpotec Logitec 2024 trade fair, solutions including Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Big Data were in the spotlight, demonstrating their potential to enhance the efficiency of the entire supply chain via optimising transport and distribution operations.

Indeed, the AI solutions showcased at the event are already capable of better planning transport orders, improving the efficiency of every supply chain hub while, at the same time, reducing their carbon footprint.

Waste management in transport and logistics activities is also undergoing transformation thanks to technological innovation and digitalisation; by way of an example, just imagine how the exchange of electronic data can significantly reduce paper usage.

The event also focused on the significance of data analysis when performing efficient, sustainable driving while simultaneously promoting road safety. Innovative solutions such as blind-spot sensors, tyre health monitoring systems, and overall vehicle condition tracking, together with driver quality monitoring, are being implemented by logistics companies so as to facilitate and optimise operations.

One of the most significant trends which emerged during the Transpotec Logitec 2024 trade fair was the ongoing growth of third-party logistics in Italy. According to the Gino Marchet Contract Logistics Observatory at the Politecnico di Milano, the sector reached a turnover of €112 billion in 2023, marking a 5.5% increase when compared to the previous year.

A prestigious award for Torello

Precisely on the topic of sustainability, VDO and Continental awarded Torello with the VDO Award for Innovation and Sustainability in Transport. This boasts a prestigious recognition conferred to transport and logistics companies that excel in modernising services and processes in order to reduce their carbon footprint.

“This award fills us with pride. It bears witness to our constantly consistent commitment to reducing our environmental impact. Today, over 90% of our fleet consists of Euro VI vehicles, with ongoing additions of LNG and hybrid models. We have also recently signed an agreement with Q8 Quaser in order to replenish our fleet thanks to the innovative Q8 HVO+ biofuel, made from renewable raw materials with an exclusive formula. Innovation and sustainable logistics have been at the forefront of our company’s development since the 1990s, as we have acknowledged that sustainable mobility is the only pathway to take if we intend to achieve our future goals,” stated Antonio Torello.

Last Mile and Cold Chain: a New Frontier for urban logistics

For the very first time in its history, the Transpotec Logitec 2024 trade fair showcased its “Last Mile” area, dedicated to the exploration of innovative solutions for urban, last-mile logistics. This topic was also discussed during countless other conferences introducing optimal strategies to tackle the critical challenges of delivery in increasingly densely populated urban areas. The rise of micrologistics alongside extremely sophisticated digital infrastructures are making it possible for companies to identify effective, eco-friendly procedures.

Another highly engaging session focused on Cold Chain logistics, where energy-efficient technologies in temperature-controlled transport were displayed; an increasing need for a high energy demand industry.

“The transport and logistics industry is re-defining the last mile. The Torello Group works hand-in-hand with production and retail companies so as to implement effective, sustainable last-mile solutions for each distribution channel. Simultaneously, our group has always taken centre stage when it comes to implementing solutions to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of the Cold Chain. Events such as the Transpotec Logitec 2024 enable us to further enhance our commitment towards achieving innovation,” commented Umberto Torello.

The post Always on the Move: Torello, TN Service, and DIF at Transpotec Logitec 2024 first appeared on DIF - Italian Food Distribution.

New Transit Point in Udine: DIF Network Expands Its Reach

Fabio Pastore — Fri, 30 May 2025 13:39:40 +0000

DIF Network espande la sua presenza nel Nord-Est con una nuova filiale a Udine, offrendo servizi logistici avanzati per il settore Food & Drink

Coeso e capillare: sono queste le caratteristiche del Network DIF, che si ripromette di offrire servizi di qualità e di prossimità, puntando sulla vicinanza strategica alle aziende produttive e ai consumatori, per garantire una gestione del freddo impeccabile. In quest’ottica, va il rafforzamento dell’intero Network nel Nord-Est italiano, con l’adesione di un nuovo Transit Point a Udine:: 15.900 mq di superficie totale, 3.000 di magazzino e 6.000 per lo spazio di manovra.

Tutti i servizi di un nodo logistico strategico per il Food & Drink

La nuova filiale di Udine, situata in via Slovenia 32, si afferma come un punto di riferimento essenziale per la logistica alimentare della regione. Progettata per offrire l’intera gamma di servizi aziendali, questa struttura diventa parte integrante del network DIF, potenziando significativamente la distribuzione capillare dell’ultimo miglio alimentare in tutto il Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Il nuovo transit point si distingue per la sua versatile capacità di magazzinaggio, con 3.000 mq totali, equamente divisi tra area secca e refrigerata: la zona a temperatura controllata, suddivisa in celle, è in grado di gestire con efficienza prodotti da 0 a +4°C e da +15 a +18°C.

Una dotazione che consentirà all’azienda di offrire una vasta gamma di servizi:

Trasporto integrato: soluzioni di trasporto nazionale e internazionale a carico completo, garantendo sicurezza e sostenibilità grazie a una flotta all’avanguardia, monitorata in tempo reale con tecnologie GPS avanzate.
Stoccaggio versatile: la nuova filiale è dotata di ampi magazzini per lo stoccaggio e l’handling di merci secche e a temperatura controllata, assicurando la gestione ottimale di ogni tipologia di prodotto alimentare.
Distribuzione efficiente: diffusione capillare dell’ultimo miglio in ambito Food & Drink, in tutto il Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Logistica integrata: servizi di inbound, outbound, picking e stoccaggio, con una capacità di 4.500 posti pallet.
Sicurezza e tecnologia: sistemi antincendio all’avanguardia e tecnologie di monitoraggio avanzate, per un’ottimale protezione delle merci.

Un nuovo tassello nella rete DIF Network

L’apertura della filiale di Udine si allinea con la strategia di espansione di DIF Network, rafforzando ulteriormente la sua presenza sul territorio nazionale e la sua capacità di servire i clienti in modo capillare.

“L’apertura della filiale di Udine rappresenta un importante passo avanti nella nostra strategia di crescita,” afferma Stefano Arrigoni, Direttore DIF Network. “Questa nuova struttura ci permetterà di servire ancora meglio i nostri clienti nel Nord-Est, garantendo tempi di consegna più rapidi e una gestione ottimale dei prodotti alimentari, sia freschi che secchi. La struttura friulana andrà inoltre a integrare e potenziare le attività aziendali. Un’espansione che si fonda su basi già solide: nel 2023, la rete DIF ha infatti gestito quasi 830mila quintali di merce, movimentato più di 330mila pallet e 14 milioni di colli, per un totale di oltre 332mila spedizioni. Con l’aggiunta del transit point di Udine, DIF Network punta a migliorare ulteriormente, aumentando la capacità e l’efficienza della sua rete distributiva in tutta Italia”.

Con un fatturato 2023 di 13 milioni di euro, DIF Network si conferma come un player di primo piano nella logistica alimentare italiana. La nuova filiale di Udine, gestita da un team di professionisti esperti, è pronta a diventare un punto di riferimento per le aziende del settore Food & Drink nel Friuli-Venezia Giulia e nelle regioni limitrofe.

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