Reuters Events | Supply Chain & Logistics Business Intelligence

Norbert Dentressangle posted 2013 consolidated revenues of €4,032 million, up 3.9% from 2012 reported revenues. Like-for-like growth amounted to 2.4%. A currency loss of 1.6% was recorded for the year.

• The Transport division posted 2013 revenues of €2,014 million, slightly down from 2012 (down 1.2% based on reported data and down 0.6% like for like). The fourth quarter confirmed the return to growth seen in the third quarter. Like-for-like growth was 1.4% . The product mix is developing favourably, with steady growth in our "Red Inside" dedicated fleet management (up 4.3%) and "Red Europe" European pallet network (up 2.3%) offers, plus new major contracts under our "KeyPL" transport management service in the UK and France. 

• Growth in Logistics accelerated, with revenues of €1,950 million, up 9.4% based on reported data and up nearly 7% like for like. Fourth quarter like-for-like growth amounted to 11%. The expertise in buoyant sector verticals, such as e-commerce, developed by the Logistics division will enable it to gain new major contracts in key European markets.   

• The Freight Forwarding business turned in revenues of €145 million, up 1.3% from the previous year. This figure includes revenues from the Daher Group freight forwarding operations in France and Russia, consolidated from 1 October 2013. The incorporation of the Daher operations has boosted business, particularly in France. The Freight Forwarding business is henceforth expected to turn in annual revenues of around €220 million.

• The Transport division posted operating income of €53 million, down from €60.4 million in 2012. The operating margin came to 2.7%, compared to 3.1% in 2012. Whilst overall profits were down, the various transport business segments fared differently. The pallet network segment held up well in all countries, while the full load segment, which is more exposed to the industrial sector, was hit by adverse market conditions, especially in France. While in the first quarter, the Transport division launched a restructuring programme, which resulted in non-recurring expenses, the benefits of the restructuring began to be felt during the year, thereby partly offsetting the decline in operating profit for the full year.  

• The Logistics division posted operating income of €87.4 million, up from €77.9 million in 2012. The operating margin increased from 4.4% in 2012 to 4.5% in 2013 including sales and lease back operation in the UK Apart from Belgium, where the turnaround plan for the Nova Natie (Anvers) business is still under way, the Logistics division is underpinned by a strong European base with a profitability level allowing to drive the future growth of new high-growth businesses outside Europe.

• The Freight Forwarding business is holding steady and delivered an increased 2013 operating income of €1.3 million. Compared to 2012 the consolidation of the Daher business boosted the average profit margin of the freight forwarding business to 18.1%.