In a world that’s increasingly connected and sustainability-driven, Smart Lockers are transforming how we receive packages, share items, and use public spaces. In this interview, we sit down with our CEO, Alfonso Correale, to explore the evolution of this technology and the ecosystem around it, alongside the growth of WIB itself, which has expanded from its roots in Italy into an increasingly international presence.

Alfonso, thank you for being with us today! Let’s start with your role—what does it mean to lead a company like WIB today?

Leading WIB today means constantly balancing vision and execution. We operate in a fast-changing market where technology, logistics, and sustainability intersect. Each day is a mix of strategic thinking, customer listening, and hands-on innovation.

It also comes with a big responsibility: leading a fantastic team towards solutions that not only improve business processes but also enhance the quality of life in our cities.

WIB is a pioneer in the Smart Locker space—a solution that’s becoming part of everyday life. How have things changed since the early days?

When we started, explaining what a locker was felt like pitching a futuristic concept. Today, people use them daily, whether to pick up a package or access shared services. The biggest shift has been cultural: Smart Lockers are no longer a novelty; they’re essential infrastructure, woven into both urban and corporate experiences.

We’re also seeing entirely new use cases emerge—beyond just parcel pickup. Think of lockers for laundry services, lending and returning books, or borrowing everyday items like hairdryers or drills on university campuses.

From left to right: Antonio Beraldi (Leila – The Network of Things), Francesca Boni (Bocconi University), and Alfonso Correale (WIB)

Smart Lockers are also gaining traction within companies, supporting everything from internal deliveries to canteen management to IT asset distribution.

How has WIB evolved to meet these new use cases and bring more value to the market?

We’ve moved from being technology manufacturers to strategic partners. We’ve built an open, interoperable software platform that integrates with lockers from various manufacturers and supports a wide range of applications, from urban logistics to asset tracking, baggage handling, and even sports equipment rentals.

Today, WIB is an enabler of services, not just a supplier.

We’ve also expanded internationally, working with companies like Ricoh in Europe and the U.S., and partnering with major logistics operators in Italy.

The approach is increasingly focused on integration, enabling experiences where the smart locker becomes part of a broader ecosystem of services and processes designed around people.

We’ve talked past and present—what’s next? What do you see coming for this market in Italy and beyond?

The direction is clear: the future of lockers lies in interoperability and their role as public infrastructure. I see a model similar to EV charging networks—multiple operators, but coordinated to ensure universal access and service.

Italy can play a key role here by investing in open standards and fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors. Internationally, there’s huge potential in healthcare, facility management, and urban mobility.

And regulation will be critical, defining the rules that allow for truly shared, accessible locker networks.

Smart Lockers are part of a larger shift in how we live and move through our cities. What are the sustainability benefits and opportunities?

Smart Lockers offer immediate environmental impact by reducing failed deliveries, one of the biggest challenges in home delivery, and improving last-mile logistics.

But the benefits go beyond that. Lockers provide 24/7 access to services, helping to reduce traffic and emissions. And sustainability isn’t just environmental—it’s also social. Lockers can become universal access points to essential services, even in underserved areas. When well-designed and integrated, they’re tools for inclusion and positive urban transformation.

Thanks, Alfonso, for sharing your vision, challenges, and insights into such a dynamic sector. Best of luck for the future of WIB!

Thank you—it’s been a pleasure. WIB is made up of people who believe in a smarter, more efficient, and inclusive future. And every day, we work to make that future a reality.