GEODIS Wilson

The annual evaluation carried out by the independent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance rating agency EcoVadis, has confirmed GEODIS’ commitment to CSR, awarding the global logistics company a 7^th consecutive gold medal.

With an overall CSR rating of 68/100, GEODIS ranks among the most advanced of the 20,000 companies audited across all sectors.

The EcoVadis assessment focuses on 21 criteria grouped into four themes, for which GEODIS received the following scores:

– Environment: 90/100

– Labor and Human Rights: 60/100

– Sustainable Procurement: 60/100

– Ethical Business Practices: 60/100

EcoVadis commends GEODIS’ “exceptional policy” with regard to major environmental issues.

“Our policy aims to control and reduce the environmental impact of our activities and contribute to the fight against climate change. This is based on reducing our carbon footprint and pollutant emissions, in addition to optimizing the use of resources” says Cécile Bray, CSR Director, GEODIS. In collaboration with its customers, GEODIS is developing “low-carbon” solutions via the optimization of transport plans, the implementation of multi-modal solutions and the use of clean-energy vehicles.

With regard to the other themes in 2020, GEODIS established actions aimed at:

• Safeguarding employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of its employees, GEODIS established and implemented a detailed “post-lockdown return to work plan” that was shared at every company level to make sure that protective measures were applied.
• Ethical performance (whistle-blowing procedure, raising awareness among employees, oversight, etc.)
• Supporting employees facing temporary financial difficulties by creating a European solidarity fund in addition to the existing American solidarity fund.

An evaluation carried out at every level of the GEODIS group

The EcoVadis evaluation is also carried out at every GEODIS Group line of business and regional level. In 2020, the Road Transport and Freight Forwarding lines of business as well as the WEMA (Western Europe, Middle East, Africa) Region saw a significant increase in their scores.

The Road Transport line of business, which received its second consecutive gold medal, is among the top 2% of road transport companies to reach such a level. The evaluation commended, in particular the roll-out of its Responsible Procurement policy, which now includes numerous CSR criteria in selecting and motivating its transport partners.

The Freight Forwarding line of business is among the top 2% highest-scoring freight forwarders. Freight Forwarding’s activity improved their overall score by 2 points compared to last year (increasing from 66 to 68), which also earned it an EcoVadis gold medal. A distinction which rewards its proactive approach, its policy and concrete actions with regard to CSR, particularly its commitment to protecting the environment, ethical business practices, sustainable procurement, and favoring labor and human rights.

Lastly, managing risks related to ethical business practices and compliance were strengthened in the WEMA region. Particular attention was paid to the health and safety of its employees and subcontractors. The steady reduction in workplace accidents and the regulatory compliance of its activities everywhere, and at all times are among the central actions carried out in the region which impose standards when local regulations do not legislate for them.

Note: GEODIS’ 2019 Activity and Corporate Social Responsibility Report – ‘Securing supply chains’ can be accessed HERE

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

As one of the major logistics service providers in Asia Pacific region, GEODIS welcomes the recent RCEP news. 

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) represents a fundamental step in the development of what will become the largest international trading bloc, as over the next twenty years it is envisaged that 90% of import tariffs between the partners will be eliminated.

GEODIS, which offers a full suite of supply chain and transport management services, including customs brokerage, through its network of offices across the APAC region is greatly encouraged by the RCEP news.  “So many countries across the Asia Pacific region agreeing to the RCEP has significance of historic proportions. We look forward to supporting our customers in taking advantage of the emerging opportunities accruing from RCEP.  We have full confidence in forecasting robust economic growth and supply chain evolution across the region with the conclusion of RCEP.  The inter-state cooperation that it represents will also aid the post-Covid recovery of damaged economies,” commented Onno Boots, GEODIS APAC Regional President and CEO.

Dr. KC Chang, Regional Director of Customs Brokerage said, “The agreement, when ratified will result not only in the reduction of import tariffs but will also encourage efforts to remove non-tariff barriers which will accelerate cross-border trade movement between all signatory countries and further boost economic growth.” 

It is noted that the terms of the agreement will be effective sixty days after the legal ratification of RCEP by at least nine of the signatory nations.

Signed at a summit in Vietnam in November, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the world’s largest trade agreement. Involving fifteen nations* it will facilitate cross-border commerce among 2.2 billion people, accounting for nearly 30% of the globe’s total GDP.

*The signatories of the RCEP are: Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide.

In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

Twenty-five year logistics veteran, Eric Herman, joins GEODIS to strengthen the supply chain operator’s growth in contract logistics throughout APAC

Eric’s extensive logistics experience in supply chain strategy, operations and capacity assessments, as well as network and facility design will support GEODIS’ increased focus on Contract Logistics in APAC.

Eric joins GEODIS from CBRE GROUP’s Supply Chain Advisory Asia where he was a Senior Consultant. His previous career includes running Puma Energy in Indonesia; leading Contract Logistics & Business Development for CWT Ltd, and various management roles in ocean carrier Maersk. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience from working across many industry verticals.

In welcoming Eric, GEODIS APAC Regional President and CEO, Onno Boots said, “Eric has an in-depth Asia-Pacific market knowledge of e-commerce trends, last-mile networks and next generation warehouse designs. Through his leadership, I see the strengthening of our team’s capability and commercial approach. He will lead an accelerated growth strategy, by guiding our investments in Contract Logistics across the Region, expanding GEODIS’ footprint and implementing state of the art technology.”

Eric commented: “COVID-19 and the recent Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade pact, formalizing the world’s biggest trade deal, will greatly accelerate the need for robust supply chains that connect clients across the APAC region and beyond. Clients must adapt to rapid upticks in volumes. Major brands with increasing e-commerce businesses are desperate to retain their market share and get products to their end customers quicker than ever before.”

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide.

In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

GEODIS has structured an internal women’s network.  This is dedicated to giving both GEODIS’ male and female employees opportunities to express themselves, make suggestions, initiate or support actions that contribute positively to gender equality and that help increase the number of women in leadership positions. The network is also intended to improve the reputation of the logistics and transport industry, a field traditionally dominated by men, to one with an image of greater equality and attractive to women.

Today, December 1st, 2020, GEODIS is holding its annual “GEODIS Women’s Network” (GWN) summit. “We want to continue the action we have already initiated and give women the means to access key positions. Our goal is to increase the number of women in managerial positions.” says Mario Ceccon, Executive Vice President Human Resources for GEODIS group. “At 13% in 2017, women now hold 18% of leadership positions. We are aiming for 25% by 2023.”

The GWN is a worldwide network open to all employees, supported by Senior Management, and energized by an active steering committee made up of women and men from various countries in which the Group is active (France, Germany, Denmark, Singapore, the USA, etc.), and representative of various functions such as: Human Resources, Operations and the Group Management Board. The GWN acts to promote inclusion, reduce professional disparities between men and women, improve the balance between work and private life and provide equal career prospects. “With a woman as CEO, GEODIS is already signaling loud and clear that women have access to leadership positions” says Mario Ceccon.

Over the next 3 years, the GWN will concentrate its actions on the following objectives:

• Studying and harmonizing possible wage disparities
• Establishing a program aimed at placing more women in leadership positions
• Increasing the recruitment of women and women’s representation in the transport and logistics industry as a whole

Attracting more women to the Logistics & Transport sector

The network’s other objective is to re-align the sector’s image by promoting actions that encourage women to make a career choice to join a logistics and transport organization.  “We encourage women to access positions offered in the transport and logistics industry. Our program will help to change an outdated, male dominated image of our sector” concludes Mario Ceccon.

At GEODIS, women make up 40% of the workforce.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

On the occasion of the Global Women’s forum, GEODIS announces an agreement with Bureau Veritas to recognize its commitment to gender equality in the workplace. The aim is to achieve a recognized standard across 12 countries over the next 3 years.

By obtaining the GEEIS (Gender Equality European & International Standard) designation, GEODIS would establish common gender equality and diversity in the workplace standards within its various lines of business. These standards include pay, the advancement of women, skills development and diversity.

Under the agreement with Bureau Veritas, which is expected to be signed before the end of the year, GEODIS will have its practices audited for a 3-month period across 12 of the countries in which the Group operates, starting in 2021 with France, England, Germany and Italy. GEODIS will continue this process in 2022 in Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Australia and then Morocco, the United States, Poland and Singapore in 2023.

Management, the Human Resources department and staff representatives within each country will be interviewed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of gender equality initiatives.

Once obtained, the label will remain valid for 4 years. It comprises 5 levels, one of which will be assigned based on the best practices and readiness of each country. Going forward, the latter will work in close collaboration with Group headquarters and the Arborus association[1] to take ownership of the GEEIS standard.  This is comprised of multiple criteria (there are 10 for level 1) related to sensitivity and training, local initiatives undertaken by the country’s Human Resources department and senior management and application of the Group’s policy.

“This label is a way to create a common culture with regard to gender equality in the workplace internationally, and to deploy best practices on a large scale.  Among other goals, it is aimed at seeing more women in management positions,” says Mario Ceccon, Executive Vice President, Human Resources of GEODIS.

GEODIS has also signed the G20 EMPOWER Alliance pledge, supporting the advancement of women in the private sector. EMPOWER (Private Sector Alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation) was launched at the 2019 G20 summit in Osaka to advocate the advancement of women in the private sector, foster a supportive, inclusive culture and create more leadership opportunities for women.

[1] https://arborus.org/en/qui-sommes-nous/

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

GEODIS, a global logistics provider, has announced the continuation of its scheduled Own Controlled Network (OCN) service linking Europe and the USA.  The current service, providing three full rotations each week, has been confirmed throughout 2021.

With transatlantic air freight capacity continuing to be tight and forecasted to remain so well into 2021, GEODIS is contracting freighters to operate within its OCN as part of its global AirDirect service offering. The 2021 schedule is confirmed between Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) with 3 departures and 3 return flights a week.

Eric Martin-Neuville, Executive Vice President, Freight Forwarding of GEODIS said, “Our customers on both sides of the Atlantic have been suffering from a severe shortage of regular, guaranteed air freight options.  We foresee this situation remaining for some time and so have committed resources to provide stability and assure the continuity of our service through the full year of 2021. As a critical element of our OCN program, we can ensure seamless end-to-end delivery through consistent monitoring and control of all shipments, including pharmaceuticals and medical equipment as well as vaccine delivery as it becomes available.”

Through its AirDirect product, GEODIS will offer capacity wherever the market demand requires.  Additionally, GEODIS AirDirect services operate a weekly fixed day schedule between Hong Kong (HKG) and Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL) as well as Shanghai-Amsterdam-Shanghai (AMS-PVG-AMS).

GEODIS – www.geodis.com 

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

Lin Shih Ying (Nana Lin) becomes the second female Managing Director in the GEODIS’ Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The appointment exemplifies GEODIS’ avowed mission to promote diversity in its leadership teams.

Nana Lin is a Taiwanese with strong international supply chain management experience, having worked for leading logistics operators in Europe, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Taiwan for over ten years. She joins GEODIS as Managing Director in Taiwan. She holds Masters Degrees in both Business Administration and Fine Art, obtained in the Netherlands and Taiwan.

In welcoming Nana, GEODIS Asia-Pacific Regional President and CEO, Onno Boots said, “We seek to put in position those with industry experience, a thorough knowledge of the region and who are representative of cultural diversity and gender equality. Nana’s skills in organizational management will strengthen our operation in Taiwan,” he says. “One of Nana’s prime aims will be to support GEODIS’ customers in de-risking their supply chains. We are seeing our customers’ actively seeking for this support.”

“GEODIS in Taiwan has an established forty-year experience in freight forwarding and the provision of logistics services to the Taiwanese import and export community,” says newly appointed Managing Director, Nana Lin. “At a time when the Taiwanese market is poised for strong growth, we will continue to focus on our industry-specific solutions, especially in High Tech, Retail and Automotive.”

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide.

In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated EUR8.2 billion in sales.

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has reached an agreement with Innova Capital for the acquisition of PEKAES, a leading LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and FTL (Full-Truckload) network in Poland.

Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS, says: “This acquisition is a major step forward to consolidate GEODIS’ presence in this region, which we consider strategic for the Group’s development.  PEKAES has an excellent local geographical coverage and its team is well recognized for its professionalism. Our complementary customer portfolios and our combined capabilities will allow us to offer Polish companies extensive international opportunities, while our customers will benefit from PEKAES’s expertise in Poland, which is the third largest logistics market in Europe. We are delighted to welcome all PEKAES employees and management into the GEODIS family.”

Created in 1958, PEKAES operates one of the leading FTL and LTL network in Poland for palletized freight. With 20 branches covering the whole of Poland, PEKAES handles all the national and international flows of some 10,000 active customers. The company also carries out, intermodal road-rail transport operations and offers additional logistics services on six dedicated sites. PEAKES employs around 1,200 people.

PEKAES will join GEODIS Road Transport line of business and Olivier Royer, GEODIS Executive Vice President for Road Transport, says: “GEODIS is reinforcing its service offerings in Poland and Eastern Europe, thanks to a best-in-class network. With this operation, GEODIS will also gain access and develop intermodal service offering in Poland and neighboring countries.”

Maciej Bachman, Chief Executive Officer of PEKAES commented: “We are excited to be joining forces with the GEODIS Group to offer our customers global coverage combined with a powerful logistics and transport network.”

Krzysztof Kulig, Senior Partner at Innova Capital said: “The scale of PEKAES’s success, transformation and bold expansion on the challenging Polish and international logistics market, which attracted the interest of GEODIS, could not have been possible without the hard work of the Innova Capital team and the company’s management. Together, we’ve built a logistics heavyweight, and the strength and resilience of the business was demonstrated by the negligible impact of the pandemic on current results. I am very grateful for their commitment and initiative.”

The transaction will take effect after completion of the usual regulatory formalities.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.

PEKAES – pekaes.pl

PEKAES Groupis a leading provider of transportation and logistics services, which includes the following companies: PEKAES Sp. z o.o., Chemikals Sp. z o.o., Spedycja Polska SPEDCONT Sp. z o.o.

PEKAES Sp. z o.o. is one of the largest companies in the TSL sector. PEKAES is committed to providing Customers with the most efficient management of their goods throughout the entire supply chain. We offer a complete warehouse space services, international and domestic LTL distribution, FTL, domestic, international, maritime, air and rail forwarding as well as bulk logistics and intermodal services.

Our group has one of the most efficient infrastructure of domestic distribution terminals, rail container and transshipment terminals in Poland and partnerships with organizations in all major European countries. PEKAES employs over 1,200 workers in its 20 Polish branches, 3 railway terminals and 6 logistic warehouses.

Our solutions are highly customized integrating IT and constant improvement of transportation operations, which makes us a provider of highest quality services. For more information on the PEKAES Group please visit: pekaes.pl

About Innova Capital –https://innovacap.com

Innova Capital is an independent private equity advisor, operating from Poland and investing in majority buyouts in mid-sized enterprises with activities in Central and Eastern Europe. From its inception in 1994, Innova Capital has invested close to EUR 1 billion in almost 60 companies located in 10 countries in the region. Innova was recognized by the Polish Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (PSIK) as PE Management Firm of the Year 2019.

GEODIS’ commitment to a socially and environmentally responsible business dates back over 10 years. Now, its online emissions calculator that determines the carbon footprint of a freight shipment is freely available on its website.

Accessed via https://geodis.com/geodis_carbon_calculator/form, the calculator measures air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions generated by an individual shipment’s journey, comparing the performance of different modes of transport (air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway, etc.). For each shipment of goods, the calculator gives an overview of the various options, making it an invaluable aid in choosing the most environmentally friendly transport.

The tool performs calculations that take into account the goods being shipped, their origin, destination and mode of transport before providing a quantitative evaluation.

“The precise measurement of emissions generated by one’s activities is a precondition for improvement. This initiative provides a transparent and reliable way to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants for each mode of transport” says Cécile Bray, Senior Expert Climate and Carbon Accounting at GEODIS.

A user-friendly solution

This new, intuitive service is available in English and French. It is developed in partnership with EcoTransIT World, whose methodology is accredited by the Smart Freight Centre’s Global Logistics Emission Council’s (GLEC) framework.

GEODIS’ actions recognized by the CDP*

Aware that climate change is a major challenge in the transport sector, GEODIS has set its sights on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% between now and 2030.
In 2019, the company was awarded an A- rating by the CDP. With this rating, the CDP recognized GEODIS as a pioneering company that is implementing appropriate actions to report, control and effectively reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Only 6% of the companies assessed by the CDP worldwide received an equivalent or higher rating.

To reduce its carbon emissions, GEODIS:

– strives to optimize transport plans by implementing approaches that improve trucks’ load factor and avoid empty miles

– develop the use of rail for multimodal transport

– has integrated vehicles that use cleaner energy into their fleet (natural gas and electric)

GEODIS also commits to providing its customers with solutions to reduce their carbon footprint at each step of the supply chain.

*CDP is a non-profit international organization that manages the largest environmental reporting platform devoted to companies and cities.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

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 direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2019, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.2 billion in sales.