02-02-2009 In 2009, Heppner continues its development with the deployment of a new national transport plan

Aimed at streamlining consignments and, ultimately, reinforcing the quality of service for clients, this new plan is achieved through the massification of flows towards 9 key platforms, interconnecting a network of 400 routes daily, in addition to nearly a hundred international lines. 

The current transport plan was rolled out in 2004 following the integration of the company XP France. The primary objective was to offer homogeneous coverage of flows over all the territory. 

A large-scale project and the fruit of a yearlong reflection, the new haulage plan is a major component of Heppner’s development strategy. To do this, Heppner undertook a vast consultation and chose the 100 partners the best suited to answer its requirements. 

« Heppner is embarking upon 2009, a difficult year, with a logic of optimizing means. The reorganization of our transport plan, the fruit of a history and a philosophy unique to our company, allows us to anticipate changes to better face up to them. Recall that the budget item relative to haulage is key seeing as it represents nearly 20% of the operational costs. It is thus an essential component in the organization of flows and controlling our costs. Heppner is thus acquiring the wherewithal to retain its reactivity while all along remaining loyal to the two strong values enabling it to position itself as « challenger ’: its human dimension and its independence, » explains Philippe Cardot, Director of Ground Transport and Ralph Carlé, Director of the Heppner Network. 

A new cartography in response to new economic constraints
The objective clearly announced by Heppner is to consolidate consignments in order to reinforce the reliability of delivery times, quality of service and the cost effectiveness of the network. 

This is achieved by reorganizing all the platforms and transit hubs and updating procedures. The new architecture of Heppner’s network (41 own agencies) concentrates the flows over 9 transit platforms instead of 27 previously. For example, Niort becomes the major transit platform in the Western region due to its strategic geographical position. Handling is increased from 20 tons to 70 tons per night, ranking Niort along side Paris (2 sites), Toulouse, Avignon, Lyon, Châlon-en-Champagne, Dijon, Le Mans and the regional platforms of Rennes, Bordeaux and Limoges. 

The other 32 agencies will concentrate on classic operations, most often with simplified organization. This general overhaul of the transport plan has been operational since February 2.