Geodis Wilson makes SA brand statement

MAY 1 marked the official launch of the Geodis Wilson brand in South Africa following its takeover of logistics major Röhde & Liesenfeld. In a separate development the French national railway operator SNCF, which owns 42% of Geodis Wilson, has launched a board-approved cash bid to take over the remaining shares of Geodis, a move that would make SNCF the fourth largest integrated logistics solution provider in Europe behind DHL, Deutsche Bahn and Kuehne+Nagel. Should the deal go through, the impact for Geodis Wilson will be extremely positive, says SAbased MD Jan Ludolph. “To have the financial muscle and infrastructure of the French railways backing us will be hugely beneficial for the company.” In an environment where the focus is on end-to-end solutions, Ludolph believes it makes sense for a railway operator to be part of a fully integrated supply chain. “Clearly we will have better access to French rail infrastructure and perhaps even Euro rail infrastructure. Should the deal go through, it will enable SNCF to continue its aim of growing the group into the future.” Geodis Wilson, the forwarding arm of the Geodis Group, has a worldwide presence with own offices in 57 countries internationally. “Europe is where the main infrastructure is right now," said Ludolph. "There will however be a continued focus on developing the group further in all markets.”