Geodis-Sernam: SNCF arbitrates in complex alliance

French transport minister Jean-Claude Gayssot wants to see a vast logistics branch in France, but this seems a long way off. The acquisition by Geodis of a 15 per cent stake in parcels delivery group Sernam, a subsidiary of railway group SNCF, is still being negotiated and is a small step towards the creation of such a branch.

However, it is well below the hopes of the ministry, which wants to create a complete national platform in the road transport, logistics and courier services sectors, based around three key companies of the sector: Geodis, Sernam and GeoPost (La Poste). The ministry wants a group capable of facing up to the competition of European companies prepared to enter the French market.