Cablegate: Possible Italian and Swiss Mre Providers

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ROME 003196

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL EAID ETRD ECON AMGT SZ FR IT
SUBJECT: POSSIBLE ITALIAN AND SWISS MRE PROVIDERS

REF: SECSTATE 175147

Econ Specialist contacted Italy's Department of Civil
Protection and was given the contact information of four
Italian companies that supply meals ready to eat. One
company indicated that it could not supply MREs in the
numbers requested. Two of the Italian firms gave us partial
quotes. The fourth firm passed our inquiry directly to its
Swiss partner, which provided a detailed quote reported below
and could deliver MREs within 4-6 weeks. Embassy Bern may
wish to follow up with the Swiss firm, if they prove to be a
likely source of MREs.

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Potential Italian Provider: CAMST
---------------------------------

CAMST
Via Tosarelli 318
Villanova di Castenaso
Bologna
tel 39-05-1601-7411
fax 39-05-1605-3502
Rome office 39-06-8632-5742
Rome fax 39-06-8621-7882
POC: Fabrizio Buratti (may not speak English)
cell for Mr. Buratti 39-335-120-9080

CAMST indicated they might be able to supply vegetarian MREs,
but they need more information on where and how the meals
would be delivered before quoting a price and committing to a
delivery. Basic cost per meal would be about euro 5 (approx.
$6).

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Potential Italian Provider: ROMANA
----------------------------------

ROMANA RISTORAZIONE, spa
Via Gaverina, 14
00176 Roma
tel 39-06-3099-9473
fax 39-06-3099-9547
romana.ristorazione@tiscali.it
English-speaking POC Romana Facchinelli cellphone
39-328-161-0270.

Cost per meal (including tax) euro 3.50 ($4.25). Menu
choices include:

1) pasta salad (olive oil, fresh tomatoes, olives, cheese,
basil, salt)

2) quiche (pasta, spinach, olive oil, cheese)

3) potatoes with parsley (potatoes, olive oil, salt, parsley).

Meals can be maintained for 12 hours at room temperature and
24 hours in refrigerator. Can be transported for four days in
freezer container.

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Swiss Firm Contacts Embassy Rome With Quote
-------------------------------------------

The last Italian company turned out to be the Italian
distributor for the Swiss company Sevim. Sevim distributes a
product, produced in France, called "Quick Cuisine"
(www.quickcuisine.info). After hearing of our inquiry to
their Italian partner, Sevim contacted Embassy Rome directly
with the following information.

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Contact Info
------------

Name of vendor: SEVIM S.A., Grand-Rue 114, CH-1820 Montreux,
Switzerland.

Name of manufacturer: Bocage Restauration, B.P. 21
Sammarcolles, F-86201 Loudun cedex, France.

English speaking contact: Nicky Sevim

SEVIM S.A.
Grand-Rue 114
CH-1820 Montreux
Switzerland
Tel: ( 41) 21 963 7440 or ( 41) 21 963 7485
Fax: ( 41) 21 963 7439 or ( 41) 21 963 7483
nsevim@bluewin.ch

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Cost
----

Cost per vegetarian MRE including fees/taxes is euro 2.37
($2.90) delivered to any U.S. port. Price could be
negotiable, if USG places a firm order.

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Ingredients
-----------

The factory is FDA approved, no. FCE12879. Three menus
available:

1) Ravioli stuffed with vegetables in tomato sauce

2) Rice with ratatouille (mixture of cooked eggplant, baby
marrows, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions)

3) Cooked mixed vegetables and potatoes.

The meals are sterilized and have a lifetime of three years.
Heating system has shelf-life of two years. There is no need
for refrigeration, and the meals can be stored at "ambient"
temperature, but not below freezing point.

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Delivery
--------

Estimated time for deliver is 4 to 6 weeks depending on the
quantities.

------------------------
Packaging Specifications
------------------------

Packaging specifications for transport, including estimated
weight, dimensions and MREs per package:

* Each meal package weighs 700g (including heating mechanism,
food itself is 300g).

* Each carton (six meals) is 34 cm x 17,5 cm x 16,5 cm.

* 2,210 cartons (13,260 meals) in a 20 foot container
(9,282kg).

* 4,488 cartons (26,928 meals) in a 40 foot container
(18,850kg).

Embassy Rome will report any additional quotes received
septel.
SPOGLI

NNNN
2005ROME03196 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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