GEODIS Wilson

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Xavier Avrard as Chief Strategy Officer. He will be a member of the Group’s Management Board, under the chairmanship of Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS.

Xavier Avrard joined GEODIS in 2014 as Group Controller. After contributing to the acquisition of OHL in 2015, he was appointed Managing Director for Projects Logistics, initially for Africa and then for the WEMEA region.

In 2019 he was named Senior Vice President of the Odyssey program, focusing on launching and managing the Group’s digital transformation program.

In January 2023, Xavier took over the strategic development of the Europe region, particularly the integration of trans-o-flex, a company recently acquired by GEODIS.

Since July 1, he leads the new Group Strategy Department. This department will be responsible for corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions, post-merger integration and the monitoring of the Group’s strategic investments and developments.

Before joining GEODIS, Xavier Avrard held positions as financial controller and Chief Financial Officer with a number of major international groups. 

Xavier holds a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Bordeaux, and he was awarded a postgraduate diploma in management control and audit by the IAE (Institut d’Administration des Entreprises) in Bordeaux.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Rugby World Cup 2023 runs from September 8 to October 28, 2023, in France. GEODIS has been chosen as Official Freight Carrier for the tournament. Behind this international sporting event lies a tailor-made logistics operation that will ensure the tournament runs smoothly.

The GEODIS group has assigned around 140 employees to the operational organization of this event. In all, some 80 tonnes of equipment essential to the teams will be airlifted to France, then transported between the teams’ hotels and the 10 host cities.

GEODIS is responsible for transporting equipment to and from the countries of origin of the various teams, located on five continents.

From the start of Rugby World Cup 2023 and throughout the 51 days of competition, more than 40 GEODIS drivers will be transporting equipment for the 20 participating teams, including players’ kit, as well as training and body-building equipment, between the teams’ base camps and the stadiums where the matches will be played. This represents an average of 4 tonnes of freight per team. For journeys of under 300 kilometers, road transport will be used with biogas-fueled vehicles. 

To provide all these services in France and in the teams’ home countries, GEODIS is relying on both its Freight Forwarding and Distribution & Express Lines of Business, with coordination handled by a dedicated control center based in Brive-la-Gaillarde, in southwest France.

Stéphane Cassagne, CEO France for GEODIS, said: “Transport and logistics are among the prerequisites of any successful sporting event. On the strength of our experience at Euro 2016 and the Women’s World Cup in 2019, we will be providing a robust, coordinated operational system for this prestigious sporting event, which embodies the values of commitment, trust and solidarity – values that mirror those of GEODIS. Our fast-acting, highly-skilled teams are capable of handling any contingency that may occur throughout the tournament, and thanks to them we are proud to be the Official Freight Carrier for Rugby World Cup France 2023.”

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Equipped with industry-leading Internet of Things (IoT) security features and infrastructure, the GEODIS Road Network is integrated with major air and sea ports and offers multimodal options to meet customer needs for agile and flexible supply chains.

GEODIS, a global leader in the transport and logistics sector, is driving its growth in Asia with strategic investments in its capabilities and infrastructure in the region. The company has expanded its Road Network from Southeast Asia (SEA) to China – solidifying its position as a leader in providing secure day-definite, cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly solutions connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and China.

The Road Network features advanced IoT technology and equipment for transporting goods securely for the High Tech, Semiconductor, Automotive, Engineering, Retail, and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors. Investments have also been made to increase service frequency and to enhance its capabilities with dedicated customs brokerage and trade compliance teams at major border crossings to facilitate the seamless movement of goods. The Road Network integrates with major air and sea ports to offer customers a variety of multimodal options to meet the challenges of today’s fast-moving  environment and their need for agile and flexible supply chains.  

The Road Network to Shenzhen will officially launch on 23 August 2023 and will subsequently be extended to Hong Kong, and in the near future to Indonesia, connected by an inter-modal road-sea service.

In recent years, trade between ASEAN and China has grown rapidly, underscoring the significance of logistics in facilitating trade. Road freight has become one of the fastest-growing modes of transport in the ASEAN freight market with Thailand and Vietnam looking to invest  further in infrastructure to support cross-border trade. The Road Network will enable GEODIS to access the expanding logistics sector in Asia Pacific, projected to reach US$4.5 trillion by 2029 with an anticipated growth of 5.24% from 2023 to 2029.

“ASEAN and China are two of the fastest growing economies in the world. As the region remains poised for growth, GEODIS sees the extension of our Road Network to China as an opportunity to enhance our multimodal solutions and connectivity across major air hubs and seaports to give customers greater flexibility and reliability. We have made significant investments to our security, infrastructure and capabilities to ensure a safe and efficient flow of goods for our customers. Ultimately, we want to provide them with a competitive advantage to grow their business,” said Onno Boots, Regional President and CEO of GEODIS Asia Pacific and Middle East.

Recognizing the need for high security, GEODIS has made significant investments into advanced IoT security equipment and processes to safeguard high-value shipments throughout the Road Network. With GPS-tracked, sensor-equipped containers, prime movers and trailers, the Road Network is monitored 24/7/365 by a professional command center, providing real-time, end-to-end visibility of shipments actual locations. Customers can access automated updates of shipment milestones including border crossings via GEODIS’ freight management solution.

The Road Network will be equipped with industry-first truck safety and driver assistance features such as brake assist, stability control assist, hill hold assist and driver fatigue monitoring, to ensure utmost safety of people, vehicle and cargo.

GEODIS also targets heightened economic, operational and environmental performance through high-utilization double-deck container loading, and reduction in carbon emissions through their fleet of new prime mover trucks. Last year, GEODIS added to their fleet seven new Mercedes-Benz Actros prime movers, equipped with the latest in security and safety technologies.

The completion of the GEODIS Road Network from Singapore to China is part of the company’s continued investment to boost its capabilities and infrastructure to match their customers’ growth in the Asia Pacific region.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

GEODIS has published its 2022 Activity and Sustainability Report. This document, which in particular describes the Group’s business model and value creation model, enables our internal and external stakeholders to learn more about the Group’s action and performance, as well as the social challenges it intends to meet.

This new edition explains in detail why not only environmental, but also ethical and social issues are of crucial importance for the Group. It also outlines the approach taken by GEODIS to meet these challenges, and provides details of the performance monitoring indicators employed.

A selection of the data presented in the Activity and Sustainability Report has been verified by the independent auditing firm, EY.

The GEODIS 2022 Activity and Sustainability Report is available HERE.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked world no. 6 in its sector. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a member of the SNCF group.

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has appointed François Bottin as Executive Vice President, Digital and Technology. François will be a member of the Group’s Management Board, which is chaired by Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS.

François Bottin has 25 years’ experience in the management of digital, data and IT programs and in managing international teams in the transport and logistics sector.

His career path includes key program and team management positions with a leading player in maritime transport and logistics. François played a key part in this company’s digital transformation, covering applications, methodology, processes and HR.

He joined GEODIS in 2020 to take responsibility for Group applications and the roll-out of digital and data transformation programs. His strategic vision and experience in transformation management are invaluable assets in supporting the Group’s development in a fast-moving, increasingly digital and data-driven environment.

François Bottin graduated from the University of Paris X, where he was awarded a postgraduate diploma in Scientific Management Methods and a Masters in Modeling for Economics and Management.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

The GEODIS organization in six more countries has attained the Gender Equality European and International Standard (GEEIS)*. After intensive auditing and assessment by the Arborus Association for gender equality, international logistics provider’s operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru have achieved the coveted standard for diversity and equal opportunity.

Joining its colleagues in nine other European and APAC countries, the Latin American elements of GEODIS have proven its commitment to the GEEIS workplace principles of benevolence, sharing, social innovation and excellence in service that result in equality between women and men.

In 2015, GEODIS originally aimed to achieve certification in 12 countries within 10 years. Today, GEODIS has far exceeded its goal and has now achieved the GEEIS certification in a total of 15 countries in its network two years ahead of schedule. The effort is part of GEODIS’ avowed mission to promote ongoing initiatives to create a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion throughout its work environment. This current achievement demonstrates high levels of employee engagement to ensure diverse voices, concerns and ideas are consistently heard.

“I am convinced that fostering diversity wherever we are present is an opportunity to develop the skills of our employees and improve our performance,” said Mario Ceccon, EVP of Group Human Resources at GEODIS. “The audit process is extensive and carried out on a country-by-country basis. The latest achievements by our colleagues in Latin America, therefore, are testimony to their commitment to these values at ground level. I look forward to more countries within our global family attaining the same GEEIS emblem in the future.”

* The GEEIS (Gender Equality European and International Standard) contributes to the promotion of a shared international culture of equal opportunities in the workplace. The standard is based on nine audit criteria to which correspond three levels, from the acknowledgment of a formal commitment on a criterion through to the continuous assessment of the criteria.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

IATA accreditation demonstrates logistics provider’s commitment to safety and operational excellence

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has secured International Air Transport Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification in Hong Kong, as part of its continuous efforts to provide the best-in-class service and be the valued growth partner of choice for their clients.

This certification demonstrates GEODIS’ commitment to safety, security and compliance and positions it well to serve the growing demand of lithium batteries, which are increasingly being used in a wide variety of consumer goods, ranging from laptops, mobile phones to watches, vehicles and other devices.

With its strategic location, Hong Kong is a critical hub for GEODIS and serves as a key gateway into Asia Pacific and Mainland China. Hong Kong’s proximity and ease of cross border transportation makes it an ideal hub enabling the logistics provider to meet its clients’ requirement for flexibility, convenience, and speed for their global shipments in or out of China.

In 2021, GEODIS Hong Kong was accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. AEO status recognizes the application of excellent security and safety procedures within the supply chain industry. GEODIS in Hong Kong provides logistical support to businesses across key verticals such as High-Tech, Retail, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods and Industrial Goods.

“GEODIS’ strategy is built on business and operational excellence. With the IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certification, our customers can be assured that their lithium battery shipments will be handled with the utmost care and adhere to the highest industry and security standards,” said Christopher Cahill, Sub-Regional Managing Director, North Asia, “This certification also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to health, safety and security.  The rigorous assessment required by this certification gives us the opportunity to continually review and ensure a safe environment for our people and operations.”

The certification process included training for employees, on-site assessments of operations and validation of documentation to stringent standards.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

A year after it opened, the GEODIS site connected to the runways at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport has been awarded CEIV Pharma certification, testifying to its excellence in the handling and air transport of pharmaceutical products.

Conferred by IATA, the International Air Transport Association, the CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification attests to GEODIS’s capabilities in transport and handling services for the pharmaceutical industry. The certification confirms the company’s excellence in safety, security and compliance.

The GEODIS site has already attracted a number of major names in the sector. With this certification, it intends to establish itself as a top-ranking player in the pharmaceutical sector. Located in cargo zone 4 of Europe’s second-largest airport, the state-of-the-art facility extends over 6,000 m² and includes two cold rooms (2/8° and 15/25°) for handling temperature-controlled products. With direct access to the runways and close to major highways, its prime location ensures that goods are transported smoothly.

Massimo Norcaro, CEO of GEODIS’s Freight Forwarding Line of Business in France, said: “CEIV certification is a guarantee of quality, confirming our expertise and our ability to handle the air transport of pharmaceutical products to their final destination, whether in France or round the world. It is proof of our complete mastery of the logistics chain, through the conformity of our facilities, equipment, operations and staff training, and it guarantees total product integrity.”

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, announced today that it has acquired the Swiss freight forwarder, ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd.

Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS, commented: “Switzerland is home to a wide number of multinational companies that are key GEODIS customers, among them several dynamic members of the pharmaceutical industry. Having acquired ITS, GEODIS is one step closer to its aim of completing a global end-to-end network to serve its customers.

Under the leadership of Massimo Bianco and Javier Sanchez, ITS has successfully developed into a trusted partner and special services expert for its customers. We look forward to welcoming ITS talented management and staff into GEODIS.”

ITS is an independent Swiss freight forwarder, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Reinach, in the canton of Basel-Country. ITS main offering is high-tech “special services”, organizing transport and logistics for dedicated projects and outsized equipment for the industrial, automotive and defense sectors. The company also provides standard ocean freight and general cargo services, as well as other ancillary services (oil and food, event logistics, artwork transportation, customs brokerage, etc.). ITS employs 26 people and reported revenues of CHF 58 million in 2022.

Massimo Bianco, Chief Executive Officer of ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd., said, “Our aim is to provide an even broader range of services to our customers across an extended geographical market.  This move, which combines our existing capabilities with GEODIS’ wealth of expertise and global footprint will help achieve that goal and assist all customers in navigating the complexities of an ever-changing supply chain environment.  We are therefore delighted to be joining GEODIS, with whom we share an ambition to constantly grow our business and that of our customers.” 

ITS will join the GEODIS Global Freight Forwarding line of business and will report into the Region EUROPE.

GEODIS übernimmt ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd. und baut sein Speditionsangebot in der Schweiz aus

GEODIS, einer der weltweit führenden Unternehmen im Transport- und Logistikbereich, gab heute die Übernahme des Schweizer Spediteurs ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd. bekannt.

Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO von GEODIS, erklärte dazu: „Zahlreiche multinationale Unternehmen, die wichtige GEODIS-Kunden sind, haben ihren Sitz in der Schweiz. Unter ihnen sind auch einige bedeutende Akteure aus der Pharmaindustrie. Mit der Übernahme von ITS ist GEODIS seinem Ziel, seinen Kunden ein weltweit lückenloses Netzwerk anzubieten, einen Schritt näher gekommen. Unter der Führung von Massimo Bianco und Javier Sanchez hat sich ITS erfolgreich zu einem bewährten Partner und spezialisierten Experten für seine Kunden entwickelt. Wir freuen uns darauf, das erfahrene Management-Team und die talentierten Mitarbeitenden von ITS bei GEODIS willkommen zu heißen.“

ITS ist ein unabhängiger, 1992 gegründeter, Schweizer Spediteur mit Hauptsitz in Reinach im Kanton Basel-Landschaft. Das Unternehmen bietet hauptsächlich spezialisierte Dienste für den High-Tech-Bereich an. Dabei geht es insbesondere um die Organisation von Transport und Logistik für dedizierte Projekte und überdimensionale Ausrüstung für die Industrie, den Automobilsektor und die Verteidigungsbranche. Das Unternehmen bietet auch standardmäßige Seefracht- und allgemeine Frachtdienstleistungen sowie sonstige Zusatzleistungen (Öl und Lebensmittel, Veranstaltungslogistik, Kunsttransporte, Zollabfertigung usw.) an. Insgesamt beschäftigt ITS 26 Mitarbeitende und meldete für das Jahr 2022 einen Umsatz in Höhe von 58 Millionen CHF.

Massimo Bianco, CEO von ITS – International Transport & Shipping Ltd., sagte: „Unser Ziel besteht darin, unseren Kunden in einem größeren geografischen Markt ein noch breiteres Spektrum an Dienstleistungen bereitzustellen. Mit der Übernahme werden unsere bestehenden Fähigkeiten durch die umfangreiche Kompetenz von GEODIS und dessen weltweite Präsenz ergänzt. Dieser Schritt wird dazu beitragen, unser Ziel zu erreichen und wird alle Kunden unterstützen, die komplexe Welt einer sich ständig ändernden Lieferkettenumgebung zu bewältigen. Wir sind daher sehr glücklich, nun ein Teil von GEODIS zu sein. Mit diesem Unternehmen teilen wir unser Bestreben, unser Geschäft wie auch das unserer Kunden kontinuierlich auszubauen.“

ITS wird sich dem Geschäftsbereich GEODIS Global Freight Forwarding anschließen und an die Region EUROPE berichten.

GEODIS – www.geodis.com    

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. 

Leading project cargo forwarder GEODIS will exhibit at the world’s largest industry event for the sector, Breakbulk Europe 2023, from June 6th to 8th in Rotterdam.  GEODIS’ booth will be located in Hall 2 at 2F31.

Innovation is a key pillar of the services offered by GEODIS Project Logistics and a range of executive representatives will be in Rotterdam to demonstrate to visitors how sustainable solutions, skilled transport engineering and advances in digital technologies are employed to meet the client’s evolving supply chain challenges.

GEODIS delivers its Project Logistics services via offices located in more than 30 countries to all major industries. As a growth partner to its clients, the division serves customers with complex project moves, oversized shipments and extra-heavy transport requirements.  Its end-to-end solutions are tailored to each project and carried out within a strict no harm environment.

Breakbulk Europe provides a networking platform to generate new business and strengthen key existing relationships. It brings together industry decision makers in Rotterdam this June to drive the connections and innovation that support the completion of global projects. Breakbulk Europe has a truly international audience, representing over 120 countries​​​​​ under one roof.

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group. www.geodis.com