Annual report 2004 (English) - PDF 3546K - Imperial Tobacco

58
General logistics
General logistics accounted for 59%, or EUR 513 million, of the Division’s economic
sales, with an overall increase of 7.1% in 2004. Growth was, however, very uneven:
• Logista registered a 13.9% sales rise, due primarily to the acquisition of Geopost
Logistics in addition to solid gains in all segments of activity in Spain and Portugal;
• In France, Altadis posted a 5.5% sales decline due to falling patronage of tobacco
outlets and certain disappointing results, especially in the stationery sector;
• In Morocco, a very promising beginning was made for the general logistics
activities of Régie des Tabacs du Maroc.
3 nd ranking
courier-service
company in Spain
Spain and Portugal
During 2004, Logista was primarily present in the general
logistics sector in Spain and Portugal. At the end of
the year, with the acquisition of Geopost Logistics,
these activities were extended to France.
Pharmaceuticals sector
Investments made in pharmaceutical logistics development
have begun to produce results. In its fi rst year of business,
Logista Pharma posted EUR 9 million in sales and
became the leader in the fi eld. As in other sectors, organic
growth, technological improvements and ongoing
extension of the services offered to customers ensured
this activity’s expansion and profi tability.
Logista Pharma’s main logistics facilities have begun
to provide services to major Spanish pharmaceutical
companies, with the Piera logistics center in Barcelona
and the Leganes site in Madrid already managing
and delivering products for over a dozen key fi rms
in the sector. Logista Pharma is positioned as one
of the principal pharmaceuticals logistics platforms
in the country, based on its capacity to provide specifi c
services ranging from product storage and order
preparation to computerized delivery.
Express delivery
The industrial parcel activities of Integra2 and
Transportes Alameda, companies acquired in 2003,
are combined under the Integra2 banner. In 2004, close
to 5 million were invested in reinforcing technological
capabilities through the installation of automated
systems (palette management, barcode readers for
enhanced traceability, and control and monitoring of
storage-area temperatures) and IT systems for unifi ed
management of information fl ows between Integra2
and its customers. These innovations will strengthen
Integra2’s number-three position in the sector, backed
by 5.4 million shipments already made in 2004.