PRESS INFORMATION SEPTEMBER 2007

Global logistics service provider Rohde & Liesenfeld

becomes part of the French Geodis Group

„A Step up into a new league “

 

As of 2008 the German based logistics service provider Rohde & Liesenfeld will be integrated into the French Geodis Group. Both parties have signed a respective agreement in Düsseldorf (Germany) subject to competitive authority approval. „The integration into Geodis is a logical step in a mutual story of success”, says Bodo Liesenfeld CEO and Chairman of Rohde & Liesenfeld after signing the agreement.

 

R&L and Geodis are already cooperating since more than five years. In 2002 the two companies established the worldwide logistics network “The Global Alliance”. “This alliance presented R&L with a valuable strategic positioning”, explains Bodo Liesenfeld. “The integration into the Geodis Group therefore symbolizes a step up into a new league for R&L.” In the future Bodo Liesenfeld will counsel the Geodis’ executive committee on strategic issues.

 

Geodis and R&L complement each other in their core business fields. Also in geographic dimensions the two companies fit together outstandingly well: Geodis belongs to the market leaders in North America, Asia, Western and Southern Europe, as well as in Scandinavia – Rohde & Liesenfeld is established especially at the German and the Latin American markets, as well as in Middle East, South Africa and Australia.

 

Being part of Geodis, R&L becomes even more attractive for its customers: Because of the existing infrastructure of Geodis which includes a worldwide capacity of 3 million square meters warehousing facilities and about 17.000 vehicles R&L is now able to provide captive warehousing-solutions and regional road transportation in many countries directly through the Geodis network.

 

Due to the integration of the two companies, the Geodis Group will grow in 2008 to a number of 27.000 employees with locations in more than 120 countries. The group generated a total turnover of 3.8 billion Euros in 2006 and acquired TNT Freight Management early 2007.

 

Background

 

R&L is an international logistics service provider headquartered in Hamburg. The company offers a wide range of services, including global sea- and airfreight (R&L Overseas) as well as individual and complex supply chain management (R&L Solutions) and tailor-made project shipments of industrial plants (R&L Projects).

 

R&L was founded in Hamburg in 1954. During the following years, the company established itself as a specialist for project shipments and logistic projects especially in Latin America. Today R&L offers worldwide transportation and logistics services in all economic centres and on all important trade routes, covered by a worldwide network of own locations and strategic partnerships.