Apulia is a key asset for Idromeccanica Lucchini, further strengthening the Italian market, which is the core of our operations. While it is true that in the last thirty years the most significant innovations in the industry have emerged in the north of the country, in the last five years - however - Apulia has gained a prominent role in Lucchini’s ecosystem.
This region, in fact, is of primary importance for horticultural and floricultural production in greenhouses, controlled environments that require customized solutions according to the specific climate and market needs. Apulia, together with Sicily, is considered a vital lung of this field: both in the national and international markets. Its climatic peculiarities allow the cultivation of unique species, making these areas indispensable for the floriculture sector.
Lucchini decided to enter this market discreetly, aware of its saturation but also of its strategic complexity. Apulia is home to some of the world's most renowned companies, known for their excellent quality and impressive numbers. These companies, often family-run, are distinguished by their processes of loyalty, humanity and hospitality; values that Lucchini has shared since its inception 77 years ago, and which have facilitated our integration into this unique context.
Idromeccanica Lucchini's journey in Apulia has not been easy: just like a field to be cultivated, we have sown time and resources to build solid references in the nursery and floriculture sector. The different needs required a meticulous and layered understanding of the characteristics of this market. Our focus on these needs has enabled us to develop (increasingly) targeted solutions and to establish a relationship of trust with our customers.
For companies in Apulia, having a partner like Lucchini is a strategic advantage. We are able to build major infrastructures in a short timeframe and step-by-step, ensuring a quick return on investment. Our local presence, with two agents and three dedicated assembly teams, allows us to promptly resolve any emergencies, further reinforcing confidence in our work. Lucchini has succeeded in making itself loved by the Apulian market thanks to our ability to respond promptly to customer needs and provide high quality after-sales support. Our warehousing service, for example, which is essential to ensure the immediate availability of materials, is of greater strategic importance than simply transporting them, which differentiates us significantly from other competitors in the industry.
The case study of Auricchio & Sons
To go into detail, and show you a glimpse of this Apulian capillarity of ours, we will show you two relevant case histories. The first concerns Auricchio & Sons; and you can read about the second case study in the next article.
Auricchio & Sons is a leading name on the floricultural scene - not only in the Apulia region, but also at national and European level. Located in Terlizzi, the company has a floricultural tradition dating back to the last century and now employs more than one hundred people. And, like Lucchini, Auricchio & Sons is now in the transition phase from second to third generation, a crucial step in the evolution of the brand.
Specializing in the cultivation of ornamental plants, citrus fruits, poinsettias and pot plants, Auricchio & Sons follows a seasonal calendar that allows them to offer high quality products all year round. Their plants carry a health passport guaranteeing freedom from disease, a seal of quality achieved through rigorous verticalization and traceability processes.
The collaboration with Lucchini has led to the creation of multi-bay, modular, small greenhouses designed to take full advantage of the Apulian climate. These greenhouses, covered with a single plastic film, which guarantees optimal diffuse light, cover an area of 2,000 square meters. The design also includes tailor-made mechanical accessories, designed specifically for the customer's needs and to withstand the Adriatic winds, which can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.
A true tailor-made co-design
One of the most significant aspects of this partnership was the construction of a new logistics warehouse, the main atom of Auricchio & Sons' new headquarters. This hub is in fact essential for post-production operations, loading and unloading of trucks and product tracking. The warehouse, a large shed, is a key part of the company's operational efficiency and a source of great pride for Lucchini.
The quality of the finishes, tailor-made and co-designed with the customer, are Lucchini's pride and joy, and the attention to non-standard details is one of the distinguishing features that sets Lucchini apart in the industry.
For Auricchio & Sons this investment represents a significant step forward in terms of reputation and market positioning: the new infrastructure, in fact, acts as a real business card for customers visiting the company from all over the world, further reinforcing their image of excellence and deep positioning.
The collaboration with Auricchio & Sons has provided Lucchini with a highly prestigious reference, spreading our reputation throughout Apulia thanks, in part, to the resulting virtuous word-of-mouth. This project testifies to Lucchini's ability to offer truly tailor-made, high quality solutions, consolidating our role as a leader in the world of greenhouses and infrastructures for floriculture.