Geodis Wilson bid to double US freight forwarding business

Global freight management company Geodis Wilson has launched a major growth strategy in North America. It has acquired for an undisclosed amount One Source Logistics – a third party logistics provider with a nationwide transportation, logistics and distribution network in the United States – specifically to build its domestic presence within the American market.

Geodis, which is part of French group SNCF and has its global headquarters in Amsterdam, said this week that the acquisition of Minneapolis-based One Source Logistics was the “first step” in its plans to expand its presence within the North American market.

Last year, the group reported a EUR 750m revenue for its activities in the Americas region, where it employs 1,400 people.

Geodis said building its domestic services within North America it would be able to meet the needs of a wide range of air freight and ocean freight clients.

Jean-Louis Demeulenaere, CEO of Geodis Group, said: “Our aim is to, at least, double our freight forwarding business in the US within the coming 5 years, based on external and organic growth.”

One Source Logistics was founded mid-2003, offering truckload, LTL and air freight management with a “best-in-class” Transportation Management System. It has developed a particular specialty for time-critical deliveries for the retail industry.

With Geodis Wilson it has developed new Container Freight Stations at five major gateways into the US, at Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Newark.

John Gallahan, regional vice president of Geodis Wilson Americas, said: “One Source Logistics significantly strengthens our capabilities and not only accelerates the growth of our US domestic product offerings, but also with cross-border trucking throughout North America.”

Mike Tillges, who was president of One Source Logistics and now becomes director of domestic supply chain in the USA for Geodis, said the nature of his company was a natural fit with Geodis.

He said: “As a non-asset based company our absolute expertise is the flexible and demand driven management of transportation services. This concept is the ideal match to the global forwarding and 3PL capabilities of Geodis Wilson.”