Since its takeover earlier this year, the company formerly trading as Rohde and Liesenfeld – renamed Geodis Wilson SA – has evolved into “a respected entity” within the French Geodis Group, according to MD Jan Ludolph. And that group has itself undergone some changes since delisting, he told FTW. “It is now a 100% subsidiary of the French Railways (SNCF),” he said, “and is making daily progress in its ambition to become a leading supply chain integrator. “At the same time, we are looking continuously for synergies between our Geodis Wilson business segment and the Geodis Logistics business segment for example.” Ludolph described it as “refreshing” to see how many opportunities still exist in SA with local and multinational potential clients. “We are receiving regular requests for quotes (RFQs),” he said, “and we are participating in more and more tenders involving warehousing, distribution and both upstream and downstream logistics solutions.” Winning business in the logistics environment takes time, according to Ludolph, and needs patience. “Above all,” he said, “it requires an appetite to invest whilst building long-term solutions and relationships with our clients. We have all of those attributes.” To meet the expectations of the clients, Ludolph stressed that his company has to expertly design logistics solutions dedicated to optimise and manage their flows better than ever before. “In this,” he said, “Geodis Logistics is a logistics specialist with all the advantages of an international group. “We offer all the durability guarantees that are needed; major investment capacities to support growth ambitions; powerful yet flexible information systems; and a wealth of experience in our operations teams.” The company has also been developed to offer tried and tested, yet innovative, business processes in many of its vertical business segments – including high-tech, automotive, consumer goods and the retail sector. “Geodis Wilson in SA will play its part as the Geodis Group grows steadily to maintain its place as a major player in supply chain management worldwide,” said Ludolph. “Through its control over every link in the supply chain, Geodis guarantees this ongoing performance.”
