French Container Shipping Line and Logistics Subsidiary Wing It

FRANCE – Container shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM has continued its recent policy of investing in partnerships, particularly with those new to the industry, and which are involved in the spread of contemporary technologies within the industry.

The company’s latest venture, having snapped up freight forwarding outfit CEVA earlier this year, is support for the development of Wing, a young French company offering an innovative urban logistics service for the benefit of e-commerce, in the form of a financial, industrial and commercial partnership.

Founded in 2015 and based in Marseille, Lyon and Paris, Wing offers an urban logistics service in the form of a collect, pick, pack and deliver option dedicated to e-retailers. With this collaboration the young company says it is strengthening the development of its 300+ customer base by optimising their e-commerce logistics.

Wing operates on line, with customers clicking through on the platform to arrange a courier to show up to collect orders sold on the Internet. These are then deposited in a logistics warehouse where they are packaged and shipped. In less than 48 hours orders are delivered to the end customer.

Convinced of the relevance of the solution offered by Wing, the shipping line took a position in the company through its investment fund, CMA CGM Ventures. At the same time, CEVA Logistics entered into an industrial and commercial partnership with Wing. The two companies will thus implement cross-selling initiatives and CEVA Logistics will make space available to Wing in its warehouses. Jean-Baptiste Maillant, Founder and President of Wing, commented:

“The CMA CGM Group is an undeniable asset in helping us develop a long-term vision of our service and in supporting us in our growth. Their very strong development in logistics provides us with important synergies to offer a complete and innovative service to our respective customers.”

This merger intends to enable the two companies to offer their respective customers new services with high added value in the field of urban logistics. The Group thus realises the synergies resulting from CEVA Logistics new strategic plan and reflects the strategy of Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the CMA CGM Group, to support innovation. Nicolas Sartini, Chief Executive Officer, CEVA Logistics, observed:

“A concrete illustration of the synergies between CEVA Logistics and CMA CGM resulting from our new strategic plan, this collaboration with Wing is fully in line with Rodolphe Saadé's ambition in favour of digital innovation. The Group also confirms its willingness to offer its customers ever more innovative services throughout the logistics chain.”

Photo: Both headquartered in Marseille CMA CGM and Wing share a common geographical heritage.