| PRESS INFORMATION JANUARY 2008 |  |
Geodis takes over R&L
15. January, 2008 – The Geodis Group has formally acquired Rohde & Liesenfeld, a German-based international air and sea freight forwarding group, after obtaining all regulatory approvals.
The acquisition is intended to strengthen Geodis’ position in many of today’s key markets, including Germany, South Africa, the Arabian Gulf and Latin America, where Rohde & Liesenfeld (R&L) handles the largest part of its freight forwarding activities. R&L will contribute to an already strong Industrial Projects offer and increase the service portfolio in vital areas such as Oil and Gas.
R&L is an international logistics service provider headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. The company offers a wide range of services, including global sea- and airfreight as well as individual and complex supply chain management, i.e. for the automotive sector, and tailor-made project shipments of industrial plants.
Jeff Hoogesteger, CEO of Geodis Wilson, is excited by the acquisition. “It will enable us to extend our global network, increase density on major international trade lanes and expand our customer base globally,” he says.
The German-based international transport logistics company has been Geodis’ main freight forwarding partner since 2002. The partnership has been extremely positive and the very close working relationship is expected to translate into a smooth and successful integration. R&L will be integrated into Geodis Wilson, the freight management section of the Geodis Group, boosting Geodis Wilson’s headcount to a total of approximately 5,500 employees in more than 50 countries.
"We plan to conclude the successful merger of R&L in 2008,” says Hoogesteger. “It will give us the strategic position to further strengthen our growth ambitions and strive for a strong united future creating opportunities for our customers and employees.”
About Geodis Wilson and Geodis Group
Geodis Wilson is a leading global freight management company that makes customers more competitive by delivering their cargo across five continents by sea and air and by making their supply chain transparent and easy to manage. As the Freight Forwarding Division of the Geodis Group, Geodis Wilson is the result of the merger between Geodis Overseas and TNT Freight Management.
As a global logistics provider, Geodis is a European group with a worldwide scope, ranking among the top four companies in its field in Europe. The Group's ability to coordinate all or part of the logistics chain (air and sea freight forwarding, groupage/express, contract logistics, transport of part and full truck loads, reverse logistics) enables it to support its customers in their strategic, geographical and technological developments, providing them with solutions tailored to optimising their physical and information flows. Geodis offers a range of logistics services that meet the specific needs of each sector of the economy. Across a network covering 120 countries, the Group's 26,000 employees offer a wealth of multicultural experience, a genuine local service to their customers and outstanding flexibility. Geodis posted nearly €3.8 billion in net sales in 2006. It is listed on Euronext Paris (Eurolist compartment B).
For further information about Geodis S.A. please contact:
Gilles Barbier
Geodis Group, Head of Press Relations
Tel:+33 (0)1 56 76 27 03 /+33 (0)6 08 55 48 96
gilles.barbier@geodis.com
or
Sophie Bodin
DGM Conseil
Tel: +33 (0)1 40 70 11 89
s.bodin@dgm-conseil.fr
www.geodiswilson.com
www.geodis.com
www.roli.com
