For those who prefer French, I started a new blog (almost like this one) in French only: http://www.western-france.info/logistique. I’ll put new information on it very soon.

I’m back from a business convention (Top Transport Europe, organized by the Adhesion group) that took place in Marseille end of September. I met several business men interested into getting their stuff from Spain and Portugal and receiving it in France. Everybody would think that goods have to be shipped or carried to France via Marseille or any other Mediterranean French city, yet there is another solution, quite cost-effective: shipping them from Portugal to Western France via the sealink that goes from Vigo to the port of Montoir Saint Nazaire. The connection is made 4 times a week via Acciona Trasmediterranea and is mainly used for Ro-Ro trafic. Yet, heavy stuff like granite or slate can be shipped on the vessels and many more other goods.
I am sure this link from Western France to the Iberica peninsula is not used at its full capacity. I’d be glad to let you know more about it, if it is of interest for you. Just let me know…

I was last week at the E-commerce exhibition in Paris in order to meet some carriers specialized in the business, not so many actually, though a very blooming sector.
I found it very interesting and heard about trends in social shopping and new media. Top quality for the conferences and easy access as it is a free exhibition (over 3 days).
Although the French “La Poste” gets about 50% of the market, there is much room left for carriers who already have good access to regional and local distribution.
Be quick !

Last Wesnesday, the European parliament adopted a report that recommends a number of measures to improve the efficiency of European freight logistics, among which the use of megaliners (60 tonnes) on EU roads. The compromise says that the use of mega-liners should only be allowed for certain routes by the Commission. “An evaluation of the requests would have to respect factors such as the existing infrastructures and safety aspects. The use of mega-liners should, consequently, be permitted under strict conditions only.” Details here

Member states will still have their last word on it !

Personnaly, although I believe these huge trucks should not be allowed in all areas (especially agglomerations), I quite agree with the MEP Mathieu Grosch who commented: “Logistics is, in itself, an important economic sector. It accounts for 13% of the EU’s GDP and it offers new employment perspectives. Therefore it is of vital importance to the EU’s economy and competitiveness to achieve a well-organised, sustainable and safe transport logistic system.”

By the end of 2007 the European Commission plans to publish an Action Plan for freight logistics in Europe which will serve to put logistics on the European political agenda…. Good news !

Once again I urge upon showing that the demand for logistics is increasing in the Western part of France. In the south west of course, but also around Nantes. I just found this complete outlook from Goodman Property Investors called “Continental European Logistics Market” on the web and was quite happy to see that :
“Demand is finally materialising beyond the north-south axis, especially in the west (Nantes) and in the south west (Bordeaux and Toulouse), where retailers have established their locations (Conforama in Toulouse and Angers, CDiscount in Bordeaux, Point P and Systeme U in Nantes for instance).”
……… YES !!!!! exactly ! This is just CORRECT, just read my previous articles !!
Western France is an EMERGING LOCATION able to meet the appetite of investors.
Read the rest of this entry »

I know some cross-dock centers in Western France able to welcome transporters around the city of Cholet. Buildings for cross-docking are quite simple, yet who knows exactly what cross-docking is ?

I found this good explanation from Professor Kevin R. Gue of the Naval Postgraduate School:
Read the rest of this entry »

Prologis said (via Ranald HAHN, Southern Europe Vice-President) that the Western part of France is the region where the company is looking for opportunities for its customers.
Of course, major regions for the American leader are Lyon, Orléans, Marseille, Le Havre, Lille or Strasbourg…. but, long-term investment in logistics platforms could also go West.

I read it in Les Echos, “Horizons Les régions” of June 2007

Green technologies is the latest trendy subject.
For anyone involved in logistics or supply chain management, green technologies is indeed the next issue (surely because they are the first in line concerned by the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions). Environmental friendliness is clearly investment worthy for anyone involved in the subject (carriers, real estate investors, shippers, builders).
I knew there was an index (the Dow Jones Sustainability Index), yet, I didn’t know there was an award for that !!
Our canadian friends invented it: they came out with a brand new SCL (supply chain and logistics) Green Supply Chain Award. that acknowledge that recipients operate in an ethical manner and actively seek ways to improve environmental performance. I don’t know this type of award in France, is there one ?

nota bene: The 2007 award recipients are J.D. Smith and Sons Ltd. and logistics division of UPM-Kymmene. Both have set and exceeded high standards for environmental friendliness in the handling and shipment of their products to customers.

more info about the SCL association: http://www.sclcanada.org/

Certainly not ! Even if, a good supply chain requires a smooth flow of goods via various networks, it would be crazy to compare logistics to a long quiet river !!!! UNLESS….. unless we take into account the great challenge of the coming years towards the improvement of multimodal networks such as WATERWAYS.
Much literature exists about the subject on the web, yet, I prefer to pinpoint a few examples I read about during my “long quiet summer break”:
. Sainsbury’s intention to include the River Thames in its distribution network (according to the Financial Times, the company made a 1-week trial in July for the transportation of goods and came to the conclusion that goods could be moved faster by water that on London’s roads: “”The trial proved there are alternatives [to road] for us to be more efficient as a business, environmentally sustainable, and cause less congestion,” said Roger Burnley, Sainsbury’s supply chain director.)
. Auchan France group is the 1rst carrier in France to use the river network for about 60% of its importation of boxes.
. Renault’s decision to use waterways for half of the exportation (Europe excluded) of its boxes from the Rouen platform to Le Havre seaport.
. Monoprix uses waterways for 85% of its “great importation” of goods.
. and many more…

In France, the waterway networks represent about 1/3 of the combined networks (sea, rail, river, road) and traffic on river has been increasing by 50% during the last 10 years, this is quite promising for the years to come.

hum, hum…
I am not yet in Second Life, but I wonder if this wouldn’t be a good idea…. I guess this sounds a bit too virtual for logistics, too close to teleportation !

Anyway, I just read today in the really well-written blog of Mr. Christopher Sciacca (http://supplychainsrock.blogspot.com/) that a Supply Chain Management Association had opened in Second Life.

Will you be there ?
To visit the association building click on this SLURL (you’ll need to have Second Life installed) http://slurl.com/secondlife/Banshee/23/233/73