French Buy Significant US Freight Forwarding and Logistics Supply Chain Group

FRANCE – US – Geodis, the French based supply chain operator and 100% owned subsidiary of SNCF Logistics, has received the regulatory approvals it needed to officially complete the acquisition of Nashville, Tennessee based 3PL outfit, Ozburn-Hessey Logistics (OHL), for an undisclosed fee. OHL will eventually be rebranded as Geodis following the French company’s recent trend of unifying its portfolio of businesses and services under the one name.

The combined structure is expected to generate a consolidated annual turnover of over €8 billion with more than 38,000 employees and 165,000 customers. With around 400 logistics warehouses in the world, additional Freight Forwarding capability and enhanced e-fulfilment expertise, Geodis is expanding its global footprint in the hopes of building a solid platform to better serve its clients. Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of Geodis, said:

"The acquisition is a great achievement for Geodis and a significant step toward our ‘Ambition 2018’ strategic plan – to be the global growth partner for our clients. This acquisition allows us to offer a market leading set of solutions on a global level with enhanced expertise at each phase of the Supply Chain.

“I'm delighted to welcome Randy Curran, CEO of OHL, as a new member of Geodis' Executive Committee. His in-depth knowledge of the US market and global experience will add greatly to our leadership team."

Founded in 1951, OHL operates more than 120 value-added distribution centres in North America with over 36 million square feet of flexible warehouse space, providing integrated global supply chain management solutions including transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and import and export consulting services, with annual revenue in excess of €1.2 billion. Randy Curran, CEO of OHL, commented:

"By offering Geodis' European customers our capabilities and opening to our US based customers Geodis' global capabilities in the EU and elsewhere, we aim to enhance our existing customer relationships and attract new ones. From the beginning the cultural fit between our two companies has been remarkable and will be a source of strength going forward."

Photo: OHL has been a fixture in US supply chain operations for a very long time.