Specials - ITJ | Transport Journal

International Transport Journal 35-36 2013 Forwarding & Logistics33to and from Europe and North America,particularly the USA, are also important– but the flows of goods that are growingat the strongest rates today are primarilythose to and from Brazil, India or China.And a propos of booming markets andemerging economies – the talk today is ofthe E7 group, the emerging seven. Besidesthe BRIC states (Brazil, Russia, India andChina, as we all know very well by now)the E7 also includes Turkey, Indonesiaand South Africa.Are there any white areas left on theworld map if we look at Geodis Wilson’sglobal geographic presence?Yes, there are some white areas left. Wearen’t the largest player in the market, likeDHL, DB Schenker or Kuehne + Nagel,we’re totally aware of that. But we could– or should I even say we have to – continueto expand our presence in NorthAmerica, for example. Even if we alreadyhave around 20 branch offices in theUSA, Geodis Wilson isn’t a member ofthe top league there, mainly in terms ofsize. Perhaps we’ll attempt to attain agreater market share in North Americathrough acquisitions in future. The mostimportant trade route today is the transpacificone between China and the USA,and I have to admit that we’re still a bitsmall there at the moment. But basicallyI’m very proud that we cover more than90% of all of the important global economicregions. We’re present there whereour customers need us.What is the overall strategy that yourcompany is set to pursue in future – organicgrowth or through acquisitions?Our strategy is primarily to develop organically.If a suitable opportunity wereto arise, however, then acquisitions areentirely conceivable, at any time. We’lldefinitely grow inBrazil, India and China.Those are the growth markets par excellencefor us. We have to proceed highlyselectively and carefully. We recently investeda substantial sum in a 36,000sqmwarehouse near São Paulo (Brazil). We’vepumped a lot of money into this locationbecause we’re convinced of the opportunitiesin Brazil, as well as in India andChina, and that the future lies in thesethree countries.Who are Geodis Wilson’s customers?Our most important fields of businessare the fashion and lifestyle segment, aswell as the industrial sector (heavylift andproject cargo logistics and the oil and gasindustry). Over and above this the automotiveindustry, particularly tier 1 andtier 2 suppliers to the automobile manufacturingsegment, and the pharmaceuticalsindustry also play an important role.What is it about the forwarding andlogistics industry that fascinates you?Even as a young boy I already dreamedof working in Hong Kong or Singaporeone day, and of finding out for myselfwhat keeps the world economy ticking.I’ve been active in the forwarding andlogistics industry for more than 25 yearsnow, and still tackle every day with passionand curiosity! The industry is trulyinternational and multicultural, and thebig wide world is open for us to get toknow it. I also consider the constantchange that the industry is subject to, onaccount of the ongoing globalisation ofthe economy, to be extremely interesting.www.geodiswilson.com