In the dynamic transportation sector in Peru, Tepsa’s story stands out as a story of ambition, innovation and resilience. Founded in 1953 by Antonio Ciccia Ciccia, the company established itself as one of the pioneers in interprovincial transportation, managing to expand its operation beyond Peru to establish a presence in Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela. Despite this impressive growth, the company faced unexpected challenges leading up to 2021: Financial problems began to arise, putting the stability of the organization at risk..
Currently, Tepsa represents a valuable case study for the business sector. This firm, which was once a symbol of corporate success in Peru, becomes a revealing example of rise and decline in the field of business.
In 1953, the transportation sector in Peru was in its initial stages. At that time, Rogero was the only company established in this field. It was in this context that Antonio Ciccia identified an opportunity for success, founding Moderno Expressa transportation company that quickly gained acceptance for its extensive road trips.
As the years went by, Antonio Ciccia decided to expand his horizons: he traveled abroad to study transportation service operations in more developed countries, with the objective of implementing innovative ideas in Peru.
Inspired by his visit to the United States, Ciccia was impressed by American vehicles. Upon his return to Peru, He renamed his company to Turismo Expreso Pullman, in reference to the motor buses used to transport passengers.. In addition, it introduced the Greyhound bus brand in the country. These vehicles, known for their speed and efficiency, became a symbol of luxury and prestige, marking a milestone in Tepsa’s history.
During the 70s, 80s and 90s, the innovations introduced by Ciccia consolidated the company’s reputation, standing out for its punctuality, low rate of traffic accidents and reliability in the handling of parcels.
In 1995, during the Cenepa war between Peru and Ecuador, few transportation companies ventured to operate on the border. Nevertheless, Tepsa continued its services, collaborating closely with the Peruvian Army by facilitating the transfer of soldiers to the conflict zone.. This effort contributed significantly to the company’s national recognition.
Subsequently, the war led to the bankruptcy of several companies in the country, including Turismo Expreso Pullman. In 2004Antonio Ciccia relaunched the company under the name of Transportes El Pino, retaining the acronym Tepsa. This new stage marked a period of growth for the company, which not only obtained contracts with mining companies, but also established itself as one of the main transportation operators in Peru.
Tepsa, based in Peru, has established a notable connection network that covers more than 30 destinations nationwide, including key cities such as Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Tacna, Chiclayo and Trujillo. This extensive reach within the country has been a crucial factor in its growth. Furthermore, its international expansion has been particularly notable, achieving significant recognition. The company has been a pioneer in the Peruvian field, extending its operations beyond national borders to international destinations such as Santiago in Chile, Quito in Ecuador and Caracas in Venezuela.
As time went by, the energy of Antonio Ciccia Ciccia, founder of Transportes Tepsa, began to diminish. Faced with this reality, he decided to transfer the administration of the company to his children. In a different context, the financial crisis triggered by Covid-19 affected both small companies and large organizations with years of experience, including Tepsa.
This impact translated into large income losses. Despite the expectations generated around the Reactiva Perú state program, designed for economic recovery, Tepsa did not manage to fully reestablish itself. This situation led to the suspension of its transportation operations both nationally and internationally, a fact that took place in mid-2021.
