During a meeting held on 17 March 2025 at the headquarters of the Tuscany regional government—which saw the participation of the region's president, Eugenio Giani, union representatives, local authorities, and senior management of Autotrade & Logistics—a potential resolution to the crisis facing the Livorno autoparco, Il Faldo, was announced. Representatives from Autotrade & Logistics, the current operator, confirmed they are in the final stages of negotiations with a new management company, though the identity of this prospective operator remains undisclosed. In January, rumours—never officially confirmed—had circulated about possible interest from XCA of Orbassano (Turin), a logistics firm controlled by the Conti and Arcese families, both already active in automotive logistics.
Should the transaction be completed, the change in management could prevent the layoffs of the 67 HC Log employees who currently work as subcontractors at the logistics hub. These workers had already staged several strikes following Autotrade & Logistics' termination of their contract. At present, Autotrade & Logistics is engaged in a “negotiated crisis resolution procedure” aimed at reaching an agreement with creditors to avoid bankruptcy.
The autoparco Il Faldo, established in 2004 in the municipality of Collesalvetti, occupies an area of 700,000 square metres, offering storage capacity for up to 32,000 vehicles. It also features a rail connection capable of accommodating two trains simultaneously. Facilities on site include 5,000 square metres dedicated to vehicle maintenance, including a workshop and car wash, and 1,600 square metres of office space. Initially developed for the Compagnia Impresa Lavoratori Portuali, the facility was later acquired by Gruppo Koelliker, which has managed it through its subsidiary Autotrade & Logistics.
The first signs of financial trouble at Autotrade & Logistics emerged in October 2024, when the company entered into negotiated crisis resolution procedures and announced planned redundancies. By December, temporary redundancy measures (cassa integrazione) were initiated, set to expire on 31 March 2025. The precise reasons behind the company's difficulties remain unclear, but are likely related to broader challenges faced by the automotive sector in 2024. According to the union Filt Cgil, the autoparco has recently housed only around 12,600 vehicles, far below its total capacity of 32,000. This sharp decline in logistical activity may have contributed to liquidity shortages, leading to delayed payments to suppliers and employees, ultimately resulting in contract cancellations with subcontractors.
