03-28-2008 Special SITL : A new face for Heppner, reflecting the new dimension and ambitions of the Groupe

Return to 2007 

Heppner scored points with its principal growth catalysts:
- by pursuing its objective to return its National Groupage service to profitability;
- and intensifying its quality of service approach, a key element in its growth and prosperity, in which the company made very significant progress. 

• Logistics

In 2007, Heppner added some impressive references to its logistics client portfolio:
Brabo, les Bonbons Buddies, Le Coq Sportif, MAN and NextiraOne. 

To accompany the growth of its clients, Heppner opened five new warehouses in the Ile-de-France as well as the provinces: 20,000 sq m at Châtres (77), 10 000 sq m at Gonesse (95), 10 000 sq m at Tigery (Essonne), 10 000 sq m at Houplines (close to Lille), and 10 000 sq m at Toussieux (Lyon region). An additional site (10 000 sq m) near Le Havre (76) will be operational in the next few weeks. These sites attest to Heppner’s willingness to make bold strategic choices as it strives to take on a new dimension, with logistics playing a very important role. 

• Internationally 
To strengthen its credibility as a standard-setter on the market, Heppner reinforced its European Ground service notably by opening up new agencies specialized in international import/export activities and adding new competences. These strategic choices enabled Heppner to post a 12% increase in turnover in this area.

In terms of Overseas activities, the company decided to give new impetus to its Air and Sea Transport operations and to seek out new opportunities and tackle new challenges with the recent appointment of Laurent Cuiry to the position of Overseas Director. 

A preview of key figures for 2007 
530 mn€ consolidated turnover in 2007, of which: - 38 % France Groupage
- 36 % Overseas
- 15 % Chartering
- 11 % warehouse logistics 

Heppner in 2008  

• A visual identity modeled after what Heppner is today 
To accompany the profound evolution of its group, Heppner decided to modernize and alter its visual identity. The pursuance of an external growth policy that it has followed over these past years has served to enrich its network and its service offers. Today Heppner is a homogenous and coherent “One”, rich in different components. 

New emblem of this “One”, its visual identity, sends out a strong signal of Heppner’s evolution, capitalizing on the specific values that the group lays claim to. Thus the “little green fellow” affirms more than ever the importance that Heppner accords to its people, to their attentiveness to client needs and to their efforts to build closer client relations. It stands for the contemporizing of the professions at Heppner and perpetuates its presence throughout the world, thanks to the reach of its network. 

• The major challenges in 2008
-  Give priority to finding ways to optimize and add value to the quality of its groupage network
- Continue down the route taken in 2007 by voluntarily capitalizing on the major growth vectors, being international activities and logistics.

 « Today Heppner holds all the cards to launch its ambition internationally, while safeguarding its independence and its human values. We have endowed ourselves with the means to succeed thanks to our policy of forging alliances and partnerships at the European ground transport level as well as global level, in terms of air and sea transport. Between now and 2010 our new strategic orientation will definitively lead us towards a new era in our development. We will only be able to do this by continually anticipating the needs of our clients – current and future – thanks to a personalized client service and an offer of quality solutions and services,” explains Jean Schmitt, Heppner CEO and Gilles Moutel, Managing Director.