ROMA (ITALPRESS) – Investments, innovation, sustainability and an integrated model increasingly oriented to well-being. Nicolas Marco, CEO of Elior Italia, illustrates in an interview with Italpress the strategies of the Italian subsidiary of the Elior group, controlled by the Derichebourg family, a global actor of contract catering and multi-services with over 6 billion euros of turnover and presence in 10 countries. The goal is to strengthen leadership in integrated services and welfare.
“Italy represents a strategic market for Elior Group, where we have built a solid and capillary industrial presence – explains Nicolas Marco –. We talk about 7,000 employees, over 800 customers and more than 1,400 service points active in the national territory. Every year we serve approximately 43 million meals and generate a turnover of approximately 450 million euros, thanks to a diversified economic model that integrates collective catering, travel catering, production of ready dishes in protected atmosphere and wellness services”.
For Elior’s Ad-force “resises in the combination of industrial scale and territorial proximity. We have an advanced production infrastructure – continues – with 10 central kitchens distributed on the territory, a state-of-the-art Zola Predosa plant for the production of ready meals in a protective atmosphere and an integrated logistics platform that guarantees quality, efficiency and traceability throughout the supply chain.”
The investment plan amounted to approximately 40 million euros over the next five years. “The directors are clear – says the Ad –: strengthening industrial assets, operational growth and technological evolution. In recent years we have already invested around 10 million a year, also starting a process of acquisition of strategic assets, such as the headquarters of Milan and the production site of Zola Predosa, as well as the progressive acquisition of central kitchens and the evaluation of external growth opportunities”.
For Elior travel catering “is a distinctive segment – says Nicolas Marco –. Through the Itinere and Polaris divisions we manage onboard catering and services of more than 350 trains day and night between Italy and France, serving about 30 million passengers a year.”
Moreover, the service on high-speed trains “is now one of the most advanced models in Europe. In particular, the Executive service, also developed with chef Carlo Cracco, combines high cuisine, nutrition and quality of service. Satisfaction surveys show high levels.”
Elior is evolving towards a “Welfare Partner” model: “It means offering an integrated system of services that accompanies people throughout the life cycle: from childhood to school, to work, to health and sport, making nutrition an integral part of overall well-being.”
For Nicolas Marco innovation and digitization “are the key. We have developed proprietary digital platforms for bookings, menu customization and data analysis. We also use artificial intelligence to optimize processes and reduce waste.”
“We have reduced the food waste by over 40%, anticipating the 2030 objectives. We constantly monitor the carbon footprint and develop innovative models of circular economy.”
Human capital is a key element. “In Italy more than 66% of employees are women, with more than 68% in managerial and staff roles. We invest a lot in training and generational replacement,” explains Nicolas Marco, who outlines the development prospects: “We want to strengthen our position as a reference player in integrated services, combining industrial development, innovation and positive social impact.”.
– Press Office photos Elior –
(ITALPRESS).
