Our Story

Born from a simple U.S. Customshouse Broker and International Freight Forwarder, the Bruzzone affiliated group of corporations has grown to be a responsive global leader capable of meeting the particular needs of each customer. Driven by the company's longstanding commitment to personalized service, enhancements are provided to assure a seamless logistical experience for you and your cargo.

Through the use of extensive electronic data interfaces, customers are ensured expeditious coordination with the most cost-effective logistical medium corresponding to the transit requirements. With our agency network, virtually all points of the world can be addressed for that competitive advantage needed in today's complex global markets.

 
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Our Founder Carlo A. Bruzzone

May 8, 1930 - October 28, 2020

Figure 1: Carlo Bruzzone

Figure 1: Carlo Bruzzone

Starting as an immigrant to the US by mere happenstance, Carlo Bruzzone began his journey within the logistics world as a messenger for an Ital-American customs house broker and freight forwarder. While being hosted and supported by the management at his employer, Carlo balanced the delicate schedule of messenger by day and student by night. He eventually graduated from New York University with a degree in accounting, obtained his permanent work visa, and rose through the ranks, eventually securing the position of Vice President. While working there, Carlo learned the importance of maintaining honesty with the client, as well as providing fair and competent service, which allowed him to provide critical growth to the export department. His efforts grew to include support services to the Italian Military and NASA during his tenure.

Carlo continued to maintain contact with his origins, visiting his hometown in Genoa Pra’, Italy frequently. He would eventually relocate to Richmond Hills, NY, where he fathered 3 children Jill, Victor, and Federico. Carlo maintained the Italian language and hometown dialect of Genovese in the household, instilling the cultural foundations of family and hard work in each of them. With growing family obligations, Carlo seized an opportunity to found a new organization and progress his career. He entered into a partnership with longtime colleagues from his Italian hometown, who were operating an expansive organization under the name of Odino Valperga.

Figure 2: Carlo pictured here in the 1980’s consulting with a client

Figure 2: Carlo pictured here in the 1980’s consulting with a client

Carlo would be their US operations president and manager, and would provide the necessary support that the group’s clients would require in navigating the ever changing US regulations. Carlo had obtained his Custom Brokers license and was able to help several of his clients navigate the sometimes murky waters of the US regulations. With this new opportunity, Carlo expanded his experience level, and was able to also help facilitate several expansions of long term accounts. His assistance was instrumental in winning beneficiary rulings with US Customs providing significant duty savings to several of his clients.

In 1970, while having spectacular results within the US operations of Odino Valperga, the Italian side found itself in financial difficulties. Recognizing certain harrowing details, Carlo made an offer to buy out the rights to the US side, and renamed it to Bruzzone Shipping, Inc. While cautioned against utilizing his last name as the name of the company, Carlo rebutted, indicating that he was not ashamed nor worried to have the family name as the company’s identity. Carlo never saw the company as himself, but rather its own being, comprised of a staff that followed his principles of being honest, direct, and fair.

Carlo was always described as a strict but fair father figure by many of his staff, always requiring that they continue to educate themselves so as to help the client. The company continued in its trajectory, furthered by the entrance of his two sons, Victor and Federico in the 1980’s. Through their combined leadership, the Bruzzone organization went from a simple customs house broker and freight forwarder, to a turnkey solution for its clients. Through these expansions, the Bruzzone Group of companies can offer end to end support of a client’s supply chain, starting from sourcing materials and ending with delivering to the final site.

Figure 3: Carlo (left) pictured with his sons Victor (center) and Federico (right) during Victor’s graduation from Maritime College

Figure 3: Carlo (left) pictured with his sons Victor (center) and Federico (right) during Victor’s graduation from Maritime College

With the entrance of his daughter Jill in the late 2000’s, the organization was able to provide deeper services to its pharmaceutical client base. Previously practicing medicine, Jill continues to provide in depth knowledge of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, guiding clients through the complex web of the FDA regulations. Her expertise furthered Carlo’s desires to provide complete services, which also continues to reinforce the superior support provided by his sons Victor, Maritime Graduate and customs expert, and Federico, Aerospace connoisseur and contracts specialist. This tag team of expertise has allowed the Bruzzone Group to secure footholds in the Aerospace, Defense, Pharmaceutical, Food, Project Cargoes, and Automotive industries. The group still maintains strong relations with its European heritage and colleagues, but has since expanded into all corners of the globe.

With this expansion, Carlo also supported the continual cultural expansion of the staff that is employed at the company. While the Bruzzone family still maintains the language of his ancestors, the group, under his guidance, has expanded to offer services to clients in German, Turkish, Chinese, and Spanish within its offices. Globally, the group has amassed an expansive network of trusted partners all capable to providing the same hands on and dedicated services Carlo has always provided to his customers.

Figure 4 : Age 90, Carlo pictured here staying true to his accounting background and reviewing the books…

Figure 4 : Age 90, Carlo pictured here staying true to his accounting background and reviewing the books…

His legacy is now continued through the entrance of the 3rd generation of the Bruzzone family into the ranks. Grandchildren Anthony, Marissa, and Carl have all entered the company, each following his determination to provide superior service and knowledge to the customer base. Anthony, mechanical engineering graduate and customs broker, has been providing classification services to those customers who are extremely engineering oriented. Marissa, gifted writer and entry specialist, provides clients with clear and concise guidance, as well as can facilitate any form of customs entry they may require. Carl, recent Boulder graduate and trucking enthusiast, has hit the ground running in providing fast and efficient booking of cargo loads, and has expanded the pool of resources available to the clients.

He continues to live in spirit with the Bruzzone Family and Organization as it moves forward into the 21st century.

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Figure 5 : Carlo pictured here out front of the NY HQ with his grandsons Carl (left) and Anthony (right)

Figure 5 : Carlo pictured here out front of the NY HQ with his grandsons Carl (left) and Anthony (right)