Brendale, Queensland, Australia

Although Alessandro founded FJT Logistics in Australia in 2001, his journey in the industry began in Livorno, Italy in 1981, when he was just 17 years old as a delivery boy for one of the most renowned shipping agencies in the Mediterranean at the time, Coe & Clerici S.P.A. Alessandro’s passion for the industry has been nurtured by family tradition, with both his grandfather Giuseppe (Beppino to his friends) and his father, Mario (pictured) worked on the wharf of Livorno, as longshoremen and stevedores. His uncle, Antonio (Zio Nino) also worked on the wharf before moving to Rome in the 1950’s to become an entrepreneur in the metal industry. Zio Nino’s courage in pursuing new opportunities and overcoming the challenges that come with it, all while supporting the entire D’Orto family drew admiration and appreciation from many people, including not least, Alessandro. In the 1970’s and 1980’s Coe & Clerici S.P.A was a shipping agent for CMA (now CMA-CGM), Evergreen Line, ABC Container Line and Lykes Line to name just a few. It was managed in Livorno by Mr PierLuigi Maneschi, an inspiring entrepreneur with global vision. Mr Maneschi taught Alessandro to always be forward thinking, especially when business is strong, and to always anticipate what the market requires. In 1991, Alessandro commenced working at F.J.Tytherleigh Italia S.R.L, where he had the good fortune to meet and work with Mr John Columba Grant, President of F.J.Tytherleigh (UK) Ltd, a company with offices in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the USA. Alessandro credits Mr Grant for much of his professional growth on his path to becoming Director. He taught him how to think like a Director, and other valuable things including how the importance of the employees is not less than the importance of customers, respect for all people, no matter their role or level of experience and ultimately the balance to always be humble while remaining ambitious. Present day, it is exactly these lessons that Alessandro has built FJT Logistics on, and continues to offer both employees and customers alike humbleness, ambition and gratitude.