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.
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.
Why not ?
The use of 3PL providers is not so well spreaded out especially among small organizations and some industries that prefer to keep control of their operations. Yet, the trend is definitely outsourcing.
For those who still wonder should I or should I not, here is a good synthesis of the advantages and disadvantages of 3PL, explained by professor Sam Lampropoulos, Full-Time Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario : click here
Our brand new Prime Minister, Mr. François Fillon, gave a speech during the LA BAULE WORLD INVESTMENT CONFERENCE last week and addressed the foreign investors with great enthousiasm: “I am eager to give you any opportunities to invest in Europe and particularly in France. We are going to do everything in our power to make you feel comfortable with our legal and regulatory framework….. French people are back at work, a new era has begun. France is ready for action.”
Supported by the British investor Gazeley, Conforama chose Beaulieu sur Layon near Angers to set up a 31 000sq.meters logistic platform. The transport and logistic company is Kuehne + Nagel. the Kuehne + Nagel group is closely involved with Conforama and supports the development of the retailer’s new supply chain strategy.
The building should be ready by mid 2008. The investment is about 14.5 million euros and will help Conforama to distribute the Conforama stores of Western France.
This regional platform is part of the 5 regional platforms of Conforama in France. This is good news for Western France.
More info about Gazeley
More info about Kuehne + Nagel
More info about Conforama, a PPR company, second largest retailer worldwide and no. 1 in France, specialised in furnishing and home appliances.
ED will set up a logistic platform of 21 000sq.meters in Angers by 2009. This platform is for the distribution of 40 ED shops in Western France.
The hosting site is at Saint Barthélémy d’Anjou, on the East side of Angers within the “parc d’activités Angers Est”. The site is directly connected to highway A11 (Paris-Nantes) and A87 (Angers-La Roche sur Yon).
150 jobs are said to be created at the beginning.
