Del Corona & Scardigli (DCS) is one of the leading shippers of Italian products in the United States. The company was established in 2001, but its roots go back much further: Umberto Del Corona was founded in 1874 and Fratelli Scardigli in 1946.
In recent years, the logistics world has been a battleground: first supply chain chaos with the pandemic, then geopolitical tensions, and now the unknown of Trump’s new trade policies. With his return to the White House, the risk of new tariffs and trade barriers is already wreaking havoc on the global market.
Stefano D’Angelo, CEO of DCS, told us how his company has addressed these challenges, how he sees the future of logistics, and what impact new technologies, including artificial intelligence, will have on the industry.
How did DCS come about and how did you get into the family business?The idea was clear: we wanted to help companies grow, enabling them to move confidently into international markets.Being a family business is not just about having a historical name to protect. It is something deeper: it is about carrying on values and traditions, maintaining relationships of trust that last over time. This has always allowed us to adapt quickly to change and to grow constantly. We know we have a great responsibility to our employees, many of whom have worked with us for years and are the real heart of the company.
“I grew up inside DCS, learning directly from my father Fulvio and Luigi Del Corona, two true masters of the industry. They passed on to me the importance of dedication to work, quality service and trust with customers.”
At first I wasn’t sure if this would be my path, but over time I realized how much DCS was a part of me and my family. I decided to put myself out there to carry on what they had built, but with an eye to the future and new market challenges.
Why did you decide to expand to the United States?Opening in the United States was an almost natural step, but also a big dream. If you do international logistics, you cannot ignore the American market: it is huge, competitive and full of opportunities for those who know how to stand out.We have been lucky enough to help many Italian companies enter the American market, supporting them in their growth and expansion. We are not just suppliers; we consider ourselves true strategic partners for our clients. Looking at where we are today, we know we made the right choice.
“Our American dream has been just that: to grow while remaining true to our Italian roots, becoming a point of reference for trade between Italy and the United States.”
What impact has COVID had on your business?COVID has disrupted the logistics industry, but for us it has meant a job boom. Between 2021 and 2022, with people locked in their homes and unable to travel or go to restaurants, the demand for physical goods exploded. This sent shipping volumes and logistics costs soaring, bringing our revenues to $1 billion worldwide.In 2023, however, the market began to normalize. After the pandemic peak, volumes returned to more sustainable levels and prices dropped slightly. For us, it was an adjustment phase: we continue to grow, but without the frenetic pace of those two years. From the point of view of the overall economy, it is good that prices have stabilized, because the inflation caused by the logistics surge has been heavy for everyone.
Trump announced new tariffs on imports. How will this affect the industry?I don’t agree with this policy. The duties risk setting off a chain reaction: if the U.S. puts tariffs on European imports, the affected countries will do the same with American products. It is a trade war that benefits no one. Moreover, tariffs mean higher prices for consumers. Let’s take a simple example: olive oil. The U.S. does not produce it in sufficient quantities, so they import it. If you put a 10% duty on it, the price in the store goes up 10%. Who loses out? The American consumer. And the same goes for so many other products.For us, this could have a direct impact: if customers find it harder to sell their products in America, they might move to other markets, reducing import volumes. We will have to be ready to react and adapt to this scenario.
Artificial intelligence is changing the world of logistics. What do you expect for the future?AI is revolutionizing the industry, and the change will be enormous. On the one hand, it will improve efficiency and reduce errors in administrative processes. On the other, many more operational job positions may disappear.The customer wants to talk to a person, not a bot. And the trust that is built with good service cannot be automated.In the next ten years, we will see increasingly technological logistics, but those who can balance innovation and customer relationships will be the ones who succeed.
“However, there is one aspect that technology can never replace: the human relationship.”
DCS today is a growing reality in the U.S. market…Over the past 13 years, Del Corona & Scardigli has contributed to the expansion of important Italian brands in the United States, consolidating its position in the international logistics sector.Since 2011, the company’s U.S. subsidiary has grown exponentially, going from a turnover of $10 million to more than $220 million in 2024 with 120 employees, 7 offices and 4 warehouses for distribution.Despite uncertainties related to new economic policies and the challenges of global trade, DCS continues to invest in the future, strengthening its role as a point of reference for Italian exports to the United States.The goal is to remain a pillar of transatlantic trade, tackling market changes and the opportunities of digitalization with determination.
The article Stefano D’Angelo: How Del Corona Scardigli brings Italy to New York comes from TheNewyorkese.
