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.
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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:
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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.

This is the nice story of a carrier who knows what he wants and how to obtain it.

The DERET group has obtained the approval of the city of Laval and the county council of Mayenne to develop a logistic platform (rail and road) at Argentré (on the eastern side of Laval, in between Rennes and Le Mans) and above all to have two major road constructions:
. a highway exit
. a rail connection

DERET group will use 60ha first. The group is located in Orleans (further east) and is strongly developping itself. more information : http://www.deret.fr/

Good combination of industry and local authorities !

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

This is just the great story of Graveleau (Dachser group) located in Western France, at La Verrie and increasing its turnover drastically at international level (+7.6% in 2006)
Of course, being part of the German group Dachser is surely a great booster and this is maybe why the Western France company is investing all over Europe in new logistics platforms.

Western France may not be the nerve center of all logistics flow that cross France, yet it hosts many transport companies with among them great international leaders !

more info about Graveleau - Dachser : www.graveleau.com

DHL announced recently that it was selected as one of the 4 top finalists at the 2007 American Business Awards (also known as the “Stevie Awards”). It received the award in the ‘Best Human Resources Team’ category, and was the only company recognized for its achievements in sales training.

Isn’t that great that a logistics company (you are right, one of the leaders in global express delivery and logistics) win this award ?
This definitely shows that logistics is the global service, the leading cross-sectorial service of the 21rst century.

more info about the Stevie Awards : www.stevieawards.com
more info about DHL: www.dhl.com

In Western France, companies involved in food industries know how to work together. I know some of them that take part in a cluster called WEST. It stands for Well Eating Sustainable Territory and it is a fully active network of partners (farmers, companies, graduates and scientists) who are trying to catalyze and accelerate the development of projects and become a European reference and provider of technological transfer and services for new markets.
Besides a weekly newsletter, the cluster also works on 5 specific subjects, including one on logistics:
o New cultural modes, ways of breeding and fishing,
o Automation, Robotizing, Packaging and Logistics,
o Nutrition-Health, « Well-Eating »,
o Development of biomass, co-products and waste products,
o Techniques of traceability and Precautionary principle.

It just launched a new website :
www.cluster-west.fr

Who’s taking part in it ?