What is Warehouse 5.0?

The concept of Warehouse 5.0 describes an evolution of the warehouse from a simple storage space to an integrated technological platform. In this model, automation, advanced data management and human work work in synergy to optimise logistics flows, integrating environmental sustainability and state-of-the-art technologies.

What role does Malpensa play in the Varese economy?

Malpensa, and in particular its Cargo City, serves as a strategic hub for the entire economic system of Varese. The airport acts as a central hub connecting local manufacturing, distribution centres and international markets, facilitating a steady flow of essential goods and supporting the internationalisation of local businesses.

How has the perception of logistics changed after Covid-19?

The pandemic period has transformed logistics from an 'invisible' technical function into an essential infrastructure for economic and social life. The experience of lockdowns has made it clear that the continuity of supply chains is fundamental to guarantee access to essential goods, medicines and health devices, elevating logistics to a strategic lever for business resilience.

Logistics and Malpensa: the transformation of Varese (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 11 August 2026

Modern logistics warehouse near Malpensa airport

From manufacturing to artificial intelligence: how Varese logistics has become a strategic lever for the economic competitiveness of the territory.

Context

In a nutshell

Logistics has gone from a technical function to a strategic competitiveness lever.
Varesotto emerges as a laboratory of innovation between manufacturing and research.
Malpensa confirms its central cargo hub for the economy of the area.

Key facts

What: Digital and strategic transformation of logistics.
Where: Province of Varese and cargo hub of Malpensa.
Who: Liuc-Università Cattaneo and i-LOG centre.
Period: Evolution over the last twentyyears.

Logistics has undergone a radical metamorphosis over the last two decades, transforming from a simple technical function into a fundamental pillar for industrial competitiveness. The Varese territory, thanks to the presence of a manufacturing system dedicated to export and the decisive role of Malpensa, the main Italian cargo hub, has positioned itself as a cutting-edge laboratory for this change. Sergio Curi, a member of the i-LOG centre of Liuc-Università Cattaneo, emphasises that logistics must act as a multiplier of industrial strength, avoiding becoming a bottleneck for Lombard companies competing on European markets. This vision reflects a profound cultural change: if once the focus was solely on physical infrastructures, today the focus has shifted to the ability to integrate complex processes, advanced skills and digital technologies. ### The role of research and the territory Liuc's contribution

Operational details

The transformation of logistics has also radically changed the very nature of warehouses, which are no longer just containers of goods, but real technological platforms. The concept of Warehouse 5.0 perfectly describes this evolution: a space where data, automation and human work converge to optimize flows. In this context, Malpensa represents the nerve node around which the entire system revolves. Cargo City is not just an air transit point, but the heart of a network in which manufacturing, distribution and international markets are constantly intertwined. This integrated system allows companies to respond with greater resilience to global challenges, ensuring constant flows even in crisis scenarios, as demonstrated during the pandemic emergency. ### The impact of the pandemic as a watershed The Covid-19 period marked a decisive turning point, bringing logistics to the fore as an essential infrastructure for the social and economic life of the country. During lockdowns, the ability to keep supply chains active was vital for the distribution of medicines, health devices, and basic necessities. This widespread awareness has prompted companies to reconsider the value of logistics, no longer as a cost centre to be minimised, but as a strategic resource to be monitored. The integration between digital logistics and local production capacity has

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Key points

The current challenge for companies and for those operating in the Varese logistics sector lies in the ability to manage the integration between artificial intelligence and human capital. Technology does not replace human intervention, but enhances decision-making skills, allowing faster and more accurate data management. This requires a constant updating of professional skills, a topic that is at the center of the Varese economic debate and that sees local institutions and universities engaged in close collaboration to train the necessary figures to manage the new advanced logistics systems. The resilience of the supply chains, today, depends to a large extent on the ability to train personnel capable of dialoguing with complex software while understanding the operational dynamics of the physical warehouse. ### Towards sustainable and digital logistics In addition to automation, the theme of sustainability represents the new horizon for logistics. Reducing the environmental impact of transport and storage operations has become a priority that goes hand in hand with economic efficiency. Varese companies are investing in solutions that allow them to optimise loads and improve routes, while reducing emissions. This path of modernization, which sees Malpensa as a leading player, requires a constant commitment on several fronts: technological updating, training of workers and optimization of

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Warehouse 5.0?: The concept of Warehouse 5.0 describes an evolution of the warehouse from a simple storage space to an integrated technological platform. In this model, automation, advanced data management and human work work in synergy to optimise logistics flows, integrating environmental sustainability and state-of-the-art technologies.
What role does Malpensa play in the Varese economy?: Malpensa, and in particular its Cargo City, serves as a strategic hub for the entire economic system of Varese. The airport acts as a central hub connecting local manufacturing, distribution centres and international markets, facilitating a steady flow of essential goods and supporting the internationalisation of local businesses.
How has the perception of logistics changed after Covid-19?: The pandemic period has transformed logistics from an 'invisible' technical function into an essential infrastructure for economic and social life. The experience of lockdowns has made it clear that the continuity of supply chains is fundamental to guarantee access to essential goods, medicines and health devices, elevating logistics to a strategic lever for business resilience.