The best in the business

Tuscany is renowned as a popular tourist destination, gastronomic hub and wine region, and it is also home to a company that has helped put the Chianti area on the map. Owned by the Fronti family, Agrichianti has pioneered the development of the famous Tuscan landscape across three generations.

The best in the business

The company was founded in 1959 by Bruno Fronti, who had two sons, Fabio and Stefano. Bruno was passionate about machines and had a pioneering spirit, purchasing his first excavator in 1975.

In the late 1980s, Bruno took a step back, and Fabio and Stefano took over the business. They became directors and had an equal partnership (although Stefano has since passed 25% on to his son, Nicola).

At first, the brothers were both practically minded and enjoyed operating their father’s machines. Then Fabio took more responsibility for customer contracts, as well as the finance and administration of the company, while Stefano spent the majority of his time on job sites.

“The first 20 years of my working life were tough,” Fabio says. “It was hard work and there was little reward for our efforts. This upbringing helped to make us all the stronger as we became more successful.”

Agrichianti’s fortunes changed when the European Community provided funding for the conversion of land into vineyards in the 1970s. In the following decade, the wine industry also underwent a transformation as the ‘big brands’ emerged.

These trends enabled Agrichianti to help the wine industry to expand, improve and keep pace with the demand for Chianti Classico. “It is satisfying to look around the countryside and reflect upon the key part that our company has played,” says Fabio.

“I am so proud of our family and how our situation has improved. We are honest, cooperate well and complement each other perfectly. We always work hard and hope to continue developing as many new ideas as possible.”

Stefano’s first involvement with his father’s business was when he started operating machines at the age of 14. “The biggest change since those days is the revolution in machine technology,” he says. “Our Zaxis excavators are so fast and precise… In fact, I spend more time with Hitachi equipment than I do at home!”

Agrichianti has been buying Hitachi excavators from Italian dealer SCAI since the delivery of a ZX210 in 2004. However, the two companies started dealing with each other as early as 1991, when Giancarlo Pais joined the sales team at SCAI.

The number of excavators owned by Agrichianti has grown with the success of the company. The family operates the machines for up to five years with the benefit of the correct maintenance and service programme in place.

The current line-up of Hitachi machines includes: the ZX33U-5 and ZX65USB-5 mini excavators; with the ZX85USB-3, ZX130-6, ZX160LC-5, three ZX210LCN-5s, ZX210LCN-6, two ZX240LCN-3s, two ZX240LCN-5s and ZX300LCN-6 medium excavators.

Next generation

The next generation of Frontis is already serving their time under the guidance of their respective fathers. Nicola’s shareholding reflects his level of involvement within the company and he is joined by Fabio’s son, Valerio.

Nicola likes to operate the machines, but he is also in charge of all technical matters. “I learnt many things from my grandfather and started working with him in 1989,” he says. “Now I am involved with every aspect, from driving the trucks to the finance and administration.”

Valerio was also born into the industry and is learning the business from his father. He works in the office and helps with the admin, IT-related work and preparing contracts. In addition, he drives a tractor with a vine-planting machine, and specialises in drainage work.

Agrichianti’s speciality is preparing soil for planting vines and installing drainage systems. This process involves excavating 1.2m-deep trenches, laying the drainage pipes, and then covering them in stones and soil. At the same time, another machine digs the soil on each site and removes the larger rocks with the aid of a special bucket.

“We are renowned for our landscaping work and preparing the ground for the wine companies,” says Nicola. “We also build the wine cellars and reclaim the authentic local stone to build walls and paths that help to give the countryside its unique charm.”

The bottom line

With so many projects, sites and machines to manage, it is vital that Agrichianti has reliable suppliers to meet its needs. “There are three reasons why we buy Hitachi excavators: we like the machines; we have a strong working relationship with SCAI; and we receive an excellent level of support,” concludes Fabio.

“We bought our first Hitachi due to the quality of the brand and the machine. Hitachi excavators are the fastest and most precise for the work that we do, and we consider the Zaxis-5 mini excavators to be our best machines.

“In addition, we trust Giancarlo, and our relationship doesn’t just exist when we are buying a machine, but throughout the whole year. We’ve tried out other excavators and dealers, but have always come back to Hitachi and SCAI.”

“And finally, the reliability of the machines is vital, especially for the environment in which we work. The service contracts on the new machines and technical support we receive from SCAI are first class. Hitachi machines are perfect for our work, but in this niche of the market the most important benefit is the service we receive.”