The activities of Futura srl, a company from Cesena that deals with fruit and vegetable processing technologies, are advancing. CEO Omar Papi: "As far as our company is concerned, the orders for 2024 have already been in place for several months. We will deliver the last machines of the year by mid-December, before the Christmas break. In terms of production and sales, we are very proud because we are basically consolidating last year's growth. The countries where we were most present in Europe were Italy, Spain and Greece, and in non-EU countries (where we do most of our business), just to name a few, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Iran, Kenya, UAE and KSA."
Apples are undoubtedly Futura's most important product, but there is increasing demand and sales for stone fruit machinery, particularly for flat peaches. Another product group in which Futura is becoming increasingly specialised is all greenhouse crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and aubergines.
"All our sales offices have been working on 2025 for several months. Usually by September, and by November at the latest, we finalise all the orders to be delivered in the first half of 2025, mainly for summer fruit."
Futura's sales policy has long been rooted in all the CIS countries, through its direct office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, which also handles after-sales. "Without wishing to be presumptuous," adds Papi, "we have now gained a certain amount of credibility on the ground, given our continuity and the fact that we have installed a number of systems in at least six or seven different countries in the region. This local experience has made us very familiar with the real needs of our customers."
He continues: "We have been watching Azerbaijan very closely since 2023, where we are already present with some large stone fruit plants installed in the spring of 2024. We have been present at the country's most important trade fair for three years. Another aspect that is fundamental for us, to give the customer a sign of continuity, is that we have a local branch in Baku, Futura AZ."
Futura AZ is also involved in engineering to provide turnkey solutions. "We offer integrated solutions, from initial consultancy, management of possible local funding (including grants), design and construction of the warehouse, cold rooms and then the calibration and packaging plant. Last but not least, we also manage all after-sales services locally. I believe we are the only local company that can offer this kind of service and advice to clients (very often investors with no previous experience in the fruit and vegetable sector). Of course, Futura AZ has specialised partners in each area, each production company takes care of its own specific business, but together we offer our customers more than 20 years of experience."
Omar Papi with his wife Michaela Orioli, CFO at Futura
Thinking of those affected, including many farmers, who were hit by the third flood in 16 months in Romagna last week: "I could speak on many other subjects, but allow me to make a personal observation. Due to personal vicissitudes, I spent last weekend with some friends and collaborators helping a family that was flooded in Traversara di Bagnacavallo (Ravenna), one of the most devastated areas whose images went around the world. The family in question is the one from which my wife is from," he says.
A moment of rest after working in the mud
"I usually spend more than 100 days a year abroad promoting our company's Italian-made products, and I am always proud of our country and of many other good Italian entrepreneurs like me. In this context, my question is: how is it possible that such a situation can be repeated so soon, especially in a region like Emilia Romagna, a flagship region with so many avant-garde developments? I hope that those in positions of responsibility will make the appropriate considerations and decisions," concludes Omar Papi.
For more information:
Futura s.r.l.
Via R. Mattioli, 136/156
47522 Cesena (FC) - Italy
Tel.: +39 0547 632749
[email protected]
www.futura-grading.com