Archives for March 2022

Nashville Soccer Club and GEODIS announce landmark stadium naming rights partnership

March 10, 2022 by Julia Hiles

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 10, 2022) – Nashville Soccer Club’s new 30,000-seat stadium will officially be known as GEODIS Park. Today, the club unveiled a historic naming rights partnership with global supply chain operator GEODIS during a special banner display ceremony at the stadium. Scheduled to be completed next month, GEODIS Park will be the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada.

“We have repeatedly said that the new stadium will become the spiritual home of Nashville Soccer Club,” said Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. “The commitment of logistics specialist GEODIS as the naming partner and the unveiling of ‘GEODIS Park’ is a landmark part of the history and journey of the club,” continued the former Liverpool FC CEO. “I am hugely proud of the incredible work that Will Alexander, our Chief Revenue Officer, and the partnership team played in bringing this opportunity to where we are today. Having had the opportunity to meet with GEODIS members throughout the formation of this partnership, I can confidently say that their people, culture and values are very similar to those of our organization and that makes them the perfect partner for this huge next step.”

GEODIS, a France-based industry-leading global supply chain operator with its North American headquarters based in Brentwood, Tenn., is one of the fastest-growing logistics companies in the United States, employing more than 15,000 teammates across 19 campuses and more than 230 sites. GEODIS is also a major employer in the Middle Tennessee area with more than 2,000 teammates in the region.

“At GEODIS, we are proud of our rich history in the Nashville community that dates back more than 70 years,” said Mike Honious, GEODIS Americas President & CEO. “With this historic new partnership—and the first of its kind for our company—we will be able to use GEODIS Park as a platform to strengthen our commitment to building a strong community alongside a like-minded organization who shares that same vision to make an even greater impact alongside one another. Ultimately, GEODIS Park will be the place where GEODIS, Nashville SC and our community will keep rising together.”

As a global showcase for the company, GEODIS will receive prominent branding on the stadium’s exterior, interior and rooftop, including flagship signage above the main entrance welcoming attendees to GEODIS Park. Additionally, the partnership features naming rights to one premium club and several innovative programs to support the Nashville community. For example, GEODIS will serve as the presenting partner of both a new soccer league focused on underserved neighborhoods in the surrounding community and the “One Nashville Under Gold” flag, a photo-mosaic with a collection of images representing Nashvillians from all walks of life that will be presented at every home game.

Excel Sports Management’s Properties division sourced and negotiated the stadium naming rights deal between Nashville SC and GEODIS.

Built in the heart of Nashville’s Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, GEODIS Park is set to become one of the premier sports and entertainment destinations in the United States. The 30,000-seat stadium will feature a 360-degree canopy, a 65-foot-wide shared concourse and a safe standing supporter’s section. Just 150 feet of distance will separate the last row in GEODIS Park and the touchline. In addition to being the official home to Nashville SC, GEODIS Park will serve as a leading multipurpose venue for concerts and community activities as well as a hub for Nashville-area businesses to utilize throughout the year.

The excitement leading up towards the opening of GEODIS Park has been evident across Middle Tennessee with approximately 20,000 season tickets sold to date and very few premium tickets remaining. All private suites, loge boxes and the stadium’s three largest clubs are sold out ahead of the 2022 season.

GEODIS Park will officially open its doors on May 1 when the Boys in Gold host the Philadelphia Union at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Come on “N” and be a part of history when Nashville SC opens the gates to GEODIS Park by visiting NashvilleSC.com/Tickets or calling 615-750-8800 to secure your seats.

****MEDIA RESOURCES:

B-roll, photos and content from today’s historic announcement (link will be updated throughout the day)
Nashville SC Media Center with news, b-roll from training, match notes, other video and photo resources
Media looking to follow Nashville SC on social media can find the club on Twitter and Instagram with the handle @NashvilleSC. For Facebook and YouTube please use “Nashville Soccer Club”
The official club hashtag when referring to Nashville SC on social media is #EveryoneN

****CONTACT INFORMATION:

Nashville SC: Cristina Maillo Belda, Vice President of Communications – cmaillobelda@nashvillesc.com
GEODIS: Lauren McKirgan, Associate Vice President FINN Partners – lauren.mckirgan@finnpartners.com

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Photograph

The attached photograph should be credited to ‘Nashville SC.”

About Nashville SC

Nashville SC is a Major League Soccer club initially founded by local supporters in 2013 as an amateur soccer organization called Nashville Football Club. It officially became Nashville Soccer Club in 2016 when it earned a USL Championship club and as it began its bid to join Major League Soccer. On Dec. 20, 2017, Nashville SC became the 24^th organization to be awarded an MLS club. In its inaugural MLS season, Nashville SC defeated expectations by becoming the second MLS expansion side to win and advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville SC returned to the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in its sophomore season after becoming just the seventh team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home in a season. Nashville SC is set to move into GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada at 30,000 seats, on May 1, 2022. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.

About GEODIS

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport), coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a global network spanning nearly 170 countries, is reflected by its top business rankings: no. 1 in France and no. 7 worldwide. In 2021, GEODIS employed over 46,000 people globally and generated €10.9 billion in revenue.

About Excel Sports Management

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading agency representing top-tier talent, blue-chip brands and marquee properties. Excel’s Properties division is the go-to solution for commercial strategy development and the sale of world-class partnership assets, including stadium naming rights and on-uniform branding. Excel has twice won Sports Business Journal’s Best In Talent Representation and Management, and is consistently named as one of the most valuable sports agencies in the world by Forbes. The agency has offices in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and London. For more information, visit excelsm.com.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Economic Recovery Hindered by Lines Skipping Ports

March 10, 2022 by Julia Hiles

Report reveals extent of capacity restriction as a result of scheduled port calls skipped and blank sailings by lines during 2021. Certain regions will suffer economic impact hindering post-pandemic recovery

The MDS Transmodal (MDST) research, commissioned by Global Shippers Forum (GSF) found that global ports lost over a third of their expected capacity to ship containers during 2021, creating delays and disruption for shippers and economic harm to some smaller developing nations.

Lost Capacity is a measure of the total number of container ship slots that were expected to be available at the port but did not materialise because the port was skipped, or the entire service was blanked by the shipping line.

As the graph below illustrates, the ports of Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Piraeus (Greece) have been especially hard hit, with about 40 per cent of the expected container capacity failing to arrive in the last quarter of 2021, in comparison with a pre-Covid level of between 15-20%. In addition, in the European, Gulf and Indian Sub-continent (ISC) region, Felixstowe (UK) and Jebel Ali (UAE) failed to see around a third of their expected capacity.

*Source: MDS Transmodal based on AIS (Automatic Identification System) data*

In Asia Pacific, the picture reported (see graph below) showed similar levels of capacity lost with Port Klang (Malaysia) suffering a 40% shortfall and Melbourne (Australia) and Tauranga (New Zealand) down by around a third of the expected container capacity during the second half of 2021. In 2019, average no-shows at these ports amounted to between 10 and 15% of expected capacity.

“When we analyse the capacity offered by the shipping lines, two major elements are to be considered: 1. the intention to call (or not) at a given port and 2. the calls actually made,” explains Antonella Teodoro of MDST. “Looking at the data from 2019Q1 onwards, we observe that carriers have been reducing the scheduled capacity offered to some ports but also reduced the level of capacity actually provided. These reductions have translated in deterioration of connectivity with some countries losing direct connections.”

Most of the expected vessels would have already been fully occupied by containers collected at ports called at earlier on the service. Indeed, the decision to skip a port is often taken because there is no space on board to take any more, or so few spare slots as to make the call uneconomic. As a result, the collapse in service levels available to shippers at the ports affected, and in the hinterlands they serve over the period is stark, and amounts to far more than the inconvenience of having to wait for the next ship.

“Skipped port calls have multiple effects on shippers,” observes James Hookham, GSF Director. “They create local upward pressure on shipping rates, as shipping line agents ‘auction-off’ available slots on the vessels that do call. Shippers also face unexpected surcharges for the handling and storage of delayed containers. More pernicious is the wider effect on national economies, especially those of developing nations that lose opportunity to deliver their exports, and hinder the recovery of their economy from the effects of lockdowns and Covid restrictions”

“Ports reliant on calls from vessels on Asia-Europe strings have suffered especially badly, adding to pressures on local economies as they struggle to recover from the effects of the global pandemic,” continues Hookham. “Such schedule alterations translate into huge aggregate capacities lost to importers and exporters.”

He concludes, “Skipped ports and blanked sailings have evidently become central to the way shipping lines are managing the capacity of their heavily utilized fleets. As the pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic ease GSF will be monitoring the restoration of service predictability for shippers at these and other key global ports to ensure the benefits of service reliability and frequency promised by consortia and alliance operations are reinstated.”

The results of this on-going analysis of lost capacity will now become part of the regular quarterly Container Shipping Market Review for shippers produced by MDST on behalf of GSF.

Notes to Editors

Mike Garratt, Chairman of MDS Transmodal, is available for interview. Please contact +44 (0) 1244 348301; mike.garratt@mdst.co.uk

Antonella Teodoro, Senior Consultant, MDS Transmodal is also available for interview. Please contact +44 (0)1244 348301; antonella.teodoro@mdst.co.uk

James Hookham, Secretary General of GSF, is available for interview. Please contact: +44 (0) 7818 450440; secretariat@globalshippersforum.com

Media Contact: Maria Udy, Portcare International. maria@portcare.com +44 (0) 7979 868539.

MDS Transmodal (MDST, www.mdst.co.uk) is a UK firm of transport economists which specialises in maritime and all other modes of freight transport. MDST works with senior management in the public and private sectors to provide strategic advice based on quantitative analysis, modelling and sectoral expertise.

Global Shippers Forum (www.globalshippersforum.com) is the global business organisation speaking up for exporters and importers as cargo owners in international supply chains and trade procedures. Its members are national and regional shippers’ associations representing hundreds of manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing businesses in over 20 countries across five continents. GSF works for safe, competitively efficient, and environmentally sustainable global trade and logistics.

Filed Under: Global Shippers Forum

Renault Trucks and GEODIS join forces to develop a new electric truck adapted to urban logistics

March 7, 2022 by Julia Hiles

Renault Trucks and GEODIS are combining their industrial, logistics and engineering expertise to design an electric heavy truck dedicated to urban logistics, meeting the requirements of city-center freight transport.

Changes are occurring in urban freight transport, whether in terms of emission regulations, restricted access, or the proliferation of modes of mobility (cargo bikes, bicycles, scooters, etc.) sharing the public space.

For reasons of massification [1], vehicles with a tonnage of over 3.5 tonnes will remain at the core of urban distribution. With a complete range of electric vehicles manufactured in France ranging from 3.5 to 26 tonnes, Renault Trucks has been working for ten years on reducing the environmental footprint of city logistics. GEODIS, whose ambition is to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030, has undertaken to provide carbon-free deliveries to 37 cities in France by 2023.

Through their new collaboration, the constructor and its logistics partner are taking this approach a step further and combining their know-how to develop a brand new 16-tonne electric urban truck, at a comparable cost (TCO [2]) to that of a diesel vehicle, which is a prerequisite for the widespread adoption of alternative power units.

Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS, said: “The environmental emergency combined with the growth of e-Commerce and the implementation of low-emission zones in major French cities mean that we urgently need to step up the decarbonization of transport. This is the objective of GEODIS in forming this partnership with Renault Trucks. We want to quickly provide concrete answers to the issue of sustainable urban logistics.”

Bruno Blin, president of Renault Trucks, added: “We have noticed that the image of the truck is changing; at last it is being perceived as an indispensable tool. The purpose of the Oxygen project, in which Renault Trucks is working alongside GEODIS, is to design a truck that will seamlessly blend into the urban landscape, among other road users in areas with traffic and even in pedestrian zones. This new truck will be designed for the driver’s working comfort and safety, and for the safety of city dwellers.”

A truck that seamlessly blends into the urban landscape

Thanks to the collaborative work carried out from the design stage onwards, this vehicle (project name: Oxygen) will make it possible to integrate all the requirements and functions of city-center delivery: elimination of nuisances such as pollution and noise, and improvement of active and passive safety in order to better manage co-existence with all road users (pedestrians and people using soft modes of transport).

In the early phases of work, the following areas of focus were identified:

Improved safety for the driver and the public thanks to a lowered cab giving the driver an excellent direct view for optimal protection of road users; a large windshield and multiple cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, offering a 360° view; a sliding side door on the passenger side restricting the door opening angle.

Greater comfort for the driver, who will be able to get out of the truck on either side, left or right. Climbing in and out of the truck will be made easier by a much lower access height than on a standard delivery truck.

Optimal ergonomics and easier access to the cargo space. To achieve this, a three-way partnership with a bodybuilder is under consideration with a view to improving loading/unloading operations in an urban environment.

Connected tools enabling drivers to optimize their delivery operations and their routes.

To ensure that this vehicle blends into the urban landscape perfectly and with a view to enhancing both the comfort and the self-esteem of the driver, Renault Trucks designers have completely redesigned both the exterior lines of the truck and the interior of the cab.

Delivery of the prototype is scheduled for the end of 2022. It will be produced at Renault Trucks’ site in Blainville-sur-Orne, France, the first European plant to manufacture series production electric trucks since 2020.

The truck will be trialed for urban deliveries in Paris, starting in 2023. This real-world testing will be followed by a phase of adaptation of the vehicle incorporating feedback from drivers covering comfort of use, practicality, recharging, etc., and then by a study to optimize the total cost of ownership.

[1] TCO = Total Cost of Ownership, i.e. the overall cost of an asset or a service throughout its life cycle.

[2] One 12-tonne truck is equivalent to more than 3 LCVs (light commercial vehicles).

Link with pictures: https://geodis.keepeek.com/bltqTf9EJ

About GEODIS

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport), coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a global network spanning nearly 170 countries, is reflected by its top business rankings: no. 1 in France and no. 7 worldwide. In 2021, GEODIS employed over 46,000 people globally and generated €10.9 billion in revenue.

www.geodis.com

About Renault Trucks

Building on the legacy of more than a century of French truck know-how, Renault Trucks supplies transport professionals with a range of vehicles (from 2.8 to 120 T) and services adapted to the segments of distribution, construction and long distance. Renault Trucks vehicles are sturdy and reliable with low fuel consumption that enables them to deliver greater productivity and control operating costs. Renault Trucks distributes and maintains its vehicles through a network of more than 1,500 service points around the world. The design and assembly of Renault Trucks vehicles, as well as the production of most of the components, are carried out in France.

Renault Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, coaches, buses, construction machines, and industrial and marine engines. The group also offers complete financing and service solutions. The Volvo Group employs around 105,000 people, has production plants in 18 countries and sells its products in more than 190 markets. In 2020, Volvo group sales amounted to €33.4 billion (338.4 billion Swedish crowns). The Volvo Group is a listed company with registered offices in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo shares are listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm Stock Exchange.

Filed Under: GEODIS

Combi Lift expands business and sets up new hub in Houston

March 2, 2022 by Julia Hiles

German heavy lift and project logistics expert Combi Lift extends its presence in the Americas, opening a new office in Houston, Texas. Combi Lift Americas LLC is led by Grant Wattman.

Last year was an exciting and dynamic one for Combi Lift, and the new year is off to an equally eventful start: Taking advantage of the good momentum, Combi Lift is expanding its business into the Americas.

“Houston is the perfect location in the USA. It is one of the main project capitals in the world,” explained Klaus Hilpert, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Combi Lift. “Solutions are becoming more complex and project risk profiles are increasing. Clients are looking for trusted and globally connected partners who can leverage their assets and drive risk sharing throughout project delivery. For all of these reasons, opening the Houston office was therefore the logical next step for us.”

The new branch is headed by Grant Wattman, President and Managing Director of Combi Lift Americas LLC. “Grant brings life-long industry experience in leadership roles, defining and implementing strategic plans, driving growth, operational excellence and building a strong financial portfolio”, said Klaus Hilpert. “I am extremely pleased that Grant is part of our team. He is a one of the industry heavyweights. Together, we will set new standards in the project logistics industry.”

Grant Wattman is looking forward to the new challenge: “I am excited to be joining Combi Lift at a unique time for the global supply chain. Combi Lift provides subject matter expertise and assets, and is a member of the Harren & Partner Group, which also owns SAL Heavy Lift and Intermarine. The market is looking to those companies that will stand up and take a fresh approach to project cost, risk and predictability. The strength of the Combi Lift portfolio positions itself strongly for this new paradigm.”

The new Combi Lift office is located in the Brookhollow Central III (2900 N Loop W, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77092) which offers perfect access in and out of the city and is convenient to all of Houston’s major business centres.

About Combi Lift: Combi Lift is a logistics expert for comprehensive transport solutions. The dedicated team consists of more than 30 experienced logisticians, forwarders, naval architects and engineers. Combi Lift focuses on demanding logistics challenges beyond the day-to-day transport business. It’s the one-stop shop for all kinds of heavy lift transport solutions, particularly door-to-door and multimodal concepts – from the factory to the building site. Combi Lift offers its clients seamless logistics solutions, from initial planning and budgetary phases to the final delivery and facility start-up. The German logistics expert provides comprehensive land and sea transport services without any liability gaps; the entire process is handled by Combi Lift. The company is headquartered in Bremen – at the heart of the Harren & Partner Group, which has a fleet of 88 units, 22 offices and 3,200 employees worldwide. This simplifies decision-making processes and ensures that the necessary expertise and vessels are always at hand.

For more information about Combi Lift, go to www.combi-lift.net

Filed Under: Combi Lift

Establishment of “K” LINE Group Basic Policy on Human Rights

March 2, 2022 by Julia Hiles

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has established “K” LINE Group Basic Policy on Human Rights (the Policy), based on the United Nations Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights*.

The Policy has been established as more specific guidelines for respecting Human Rights, which is upheld in the Charter of Conduct of the “K” LINE Group Companies, standards of behavior for the entire Group. The Policy sets out that the Group shall respect and comply with international norms and laws related to respect for human rights, as well as conduct Human Rights Due Diligence.

As an integrated logistics company grown from shipping business, “K” LINE Group conducts its business activities with the support of many people. Recognizing the international trend of increasing importance of respect for human rights, “K” LINE Group will promote its business taking into account the human rights of those concerned with its business activities, so as to continue to be a company group trusted by society.

*）United Nations Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights:

A document endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 that stipulates respect for human rights in corporate activities. The principle encourages efforts to protect and respect human rights, containing 3 pillars: 1. The State Duty to Protect, 2. The Corporate Responsibility to Respect, and 3. Access to Remedy.

Filed Under: "K" Line

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