At the start of 2015, semi-finished goods producers Ensinger (Nufringen / Germany; www.ensinger-online.com) and Simona (Kirn / Germany; www.simona.de) entered into a distribution agreement covering Italy. Under the terms of the arrangement, Ensinger Italy (Olcella di Busto Garolfo / Italy; www.ensinger.it) will distribute Simona’s portfolio in the south European country. For this purpose, the former has already set up a new storage facility at its office in Milan.

Simona has been questioning the economic feasibility of the logistical structures at its subsidiaries in France, the UK, Italy and the Czech Republic since early 2014, wondering whether their current set-up is still appropriate. In the last few years, the group has increasingly engaged in business via the trade channel. In response, Simona has shut down its logistical operations in both Italy and France, and in the latter country caters to its larger customers from group headquarters and settles its bulk business via several partners. Next year the company’s logistics offices in the Czech Republic will be shuttered, too.

The two companies’ UK-based subsidiaries have been collaborating in a similar manner since 2012.