| GEODIS MAG., 06/2003 |  |
Rohde & Liesenfeld
"The Global Alliance" now has a network of nearly 140 offices worldwide
More than a year on, Geodis and Rohde & Liesenfeld's worldwide business partnership is thriving. Bodo Liesenfeld, R&L Chairman, talks about the first joint operations.
How would you sum up the Geodis / R&L Alliance since it was signed in March 2002?
BL: Over the last 15 months, Geodis and R&L top management have striven to avoid certain obstacles while making the most of any opportunities. I have to say that the two networks complement each other perfectly, which has enabled us to focus on developing our business. Indeed, some areas of conflict may have occurred in a number of countries where our two companies were operating. However, we managed to find suitable case by case solutions, particularly in Germany, the United Kingdom and Chile, mainly by transferring the activities from one partner to the other. This co-existence exists in three other countries: Singapore, Korea and Mexico, where our local structures are nonetheless managing to work closely together.
Tell us about the first tangible results.
BL: We have each been able to develop together while mutually respecting our differences: most of our offices now work together as if they belonged to the same group. This has enabled us to access markets that neither of us would have been able to access on our own. In Mexico, we responded to an interesting call for tender for Beiersdorf, manufacturer of Nivea products, concerning international transport services performed by R&L, and local logistics and distribution operations by Geodis. Likewise, R&L is involved in Geodis' major project with Exxon in Cameroon and Chad.
What services do Geodis and R&L offer to their customers as part of the Alliance?
BL: We ensure end-to-end management of the logistics chain in the transport of air and sea freight, which includes door-to-door transportation plus a number of value added services. We have also set up teams dedicated to the "Projects" activity which focus on transport and setting up industrial sites.
Has business grown since the partnership started ?
BL: The added value brought by the two groups to their mutual benefit represents EUR 2.8 million for the first half of 2003. For example, we joined forces to negotiate with shipping lines through the GOPC (Global Ocean Freight Purchasing Committee) made up of representatives from both sides. The Alliance now negotiates 260.000 TEUs* a year with sea carriers. Similar negotiations are currently being finalised in the air sector.
Does the Alliance have a name?
BL: We will do something along the lines of what air carriers did with Sky Team for example and choose a name to represent the Alliance without replacing the name or the logo of either of the groups. We have opted for "The Global Alliance", which will be used on both partners commercial documents.
*TEU: Twenty Equivalent Units, maritime measurement
