UK-based logistics company Geodis announced that it will open new routes to North Africa via Morocco and Tunisia, the PRLEAP news website reported.
"The goods will transit via Geodis depots and bonded warehouses in Casablanca, Tangier (Morocco) and Rades (Tunisia). The new line will initially be export based but will expand to include an import service in June 2006.
"Demand from existing customers and our market research indicate that this market [North Africa] will develop and we are expecting business to increase significantly following the launch," said Nigel Watts, Road Product Director, Geodis UK.
"We have specialist market development personnel originating from the North-African region, providing central sales contact and support for sales and marketing teams and our customers," he added.
Geodis Morocco was founded in 2002 and has enjoyed strong growth in its core business of international air, sea and road transport as well as logistics.
As a result, the subsidiary opened two logistics platforms, in 2004, in Had Soualem and Ain Seba, increasing its total operating surface area to 10,000m plus 4,000m of secure and guarded bonded warehousing.
"The Moroccan logistics business is certainly growing. Supporting the development of our customers is our top priority, as shown by the multi-year contract we signed recently with Unilever Maghreb," said Lionel Gruget, CEO of Geodis Morocco.
The subsidiary provides a variety of logistics services (pre-production transport, factory procurement, warehouse management) for Unilever's food, home care and personal care products.
Geodis Morocco is considering the setting up of a domestic distribution service (groupage and full load) to enhance its product offering to Unilever and other logistics customers.
Geodis Tunisia is also a key growth business based in the main port of Rades, near Tunis with 2,500m of bonded warehousing and 26 skilled and experienced staff.
Geodis UK sees this as a key development and a vital conduit to the African Continent and its emerging markets.
Geodis in Africa provides Logistics, Road, Air and Sea Freight, Transit and Customs Operations, Industrial Projects and Port Handling and currently has 445 employees and 26,600 m warehousing space.
Geodis is operational in South Africa, Angola, Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Reunion Island, Senegal, Togo.
© Morocco Times 2006
