La cadena de distribución - The distribution chain 43 THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: WHAT THE PROFESSIONALS SAY What is the current state of the industry? Professional views differ according to their specific niche, but they all agree on the endemic issues. José María Arnedo, Chairman of ATFRIE, for example, believes that ”company merger and buy-out operations are creating stronger companies”. This will have a direct effect on the sector as it will benefit from a more solid financial position. Marcos Badenes, General Secretary of ADELFE, defines the situation as one of ”critical stability”. In other words, in a context in which the operating indicators ”are not bad and provide the basis for stability in terms of the creation or destruction of companies or in terms of employment”, other issues, such as logistics-related regulations, ”stir up uncertainty, especially in relation to energy costs”. The General Secretary of ALDEFE considers that the sector is made up of companies with a long history, which are ”financially conservative, advanced in the application of new technologies and management systems, but, above all, very sensitive to the needs of the client”. As this is a highly specialised, demanding service with highly restrictive regulations, ”only professionalism, continuous upgrading and the best attitude towards the customer can make for effective management. The reason is very simple: in an ecosystem with a lot of competition, if your company doesn’t have the management nuances I have described, the market will kick you out immediately and, as the companies have a long track record, they obviously adhere to this way of working”. At the same time, Badenes believes that these companies are ”very open to new technologies and management systems. This also applies to expansion and new projects. This has led to several years of major growth in terms of cubic metres of cold storage facilities, from extensions to facility upgrades and, of course, new facilities. This spirit continues, albeit tempered by the uncertainty of the market. The extensions underway have not been brough to a halt and those that are about to start have not been cancelled, they have only been postponed in order to adapt them to customer needs and, therefore, to the market. In this sense, there is caution and continuity”. Manuel Perezcarro, General Secretary of CETM Frigoríficos and FROET, gives a positive assessment of the sector’s situation in terms of the number of members. However, he remains uncertain about what 2023 will bring. ”At a time of economic slowdown such as the one we expect in the coming months, freight transport may also be affected in terms of job creation, but let us not forget that, as a strategic sector, the need to digitally transform the sector and the lack of drivers to bridge the generational renewal leads us to believe that it can continue to be an important source of job creation,” he said. He also recalls that in 2022 companies pursued a moderate fleet expansion policy, ”among other reasons due to the lack of vehicles. However, they are aware that in order to be competitive they need to make all kinds of investments”. Like José María Arnedo, Perezcarro believes that 2023 could be a year in which macro-operations will continue to take place, enabling companies to join forces and take advantage of synergies to tackle new challenges.
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