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.