Ceva Logistics will strengthen its presence in Poland in 2023
CEVA Logistics is in the process of integrating GEFCO into our operations, following the closing of the acquisition by the CMA CGM group in July 2022. We asked Guillaume Sauzedde, Managing Director Northeast Europe, CEVA Logistics, about the company’s plans on the Polish market.
When did CEVA Logistics start operating in Poland? From what kind of activity?
CEVA Logistics has been operating in Poland since 1996, when it launched its contract logistics and also transportation services for the automotive industry at its first logistics center in Bielsko-Biała. Since May 2019, CEVA Logistics is part of CMA CGM – a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions. Currently, CEVA in Poland employs more than 6.000 people and will grow to almost 9.000 employees in 2023, following the opening of 2 important warehouses, one in the region of Wrocław, the second in Sulechów.
What transformation has the Polish branch undergone over the years?
After 26 years on the Polish market, CEVA is one of the strongest providers of contract logistics services in our country and has branches in more than 30 locations. It serves various industries from automotive, electronics, heavy industry to pharmaceuticals while dynamically developing e-commerce services. CEVA Logistics is among the TOP5 largest global contract logistics operators and is one of the most technologically advanced companies in the logistics services market. Modern technologies have also dominated changes in the company’s Polish branch. In our country, CEVA has implemented dozens of innovative projects in the fields of automation, robotization, state-of-the-art WMS and TMS systems, as well as those related to sustainable development.
What services does the company currently provide?
CEVA Logistics provides a full range of transportation and logistics services, from managing road, sea and air freight, global supply chains and distribution, to dedicated contract logistics solutions. It also provides project logistics solutions serving mainly industries such as petrochemicals, infrastructure, energy (hydro, wind and solar power), agricultural machinery and equipment, paper industry, mining and quarrying. The Group has also a unique knowledge in the field of Finished Vehicle logistics, which consists in transporting cars from the factories to the dealers, with sometimes on request, some detailing or customizing of the vehicle before its final delivery.
What type of transport is dominant in the activity of the Polish branch of CEVA Logistics? What does it involve?
Each of the business areas that CEVA has in its portfolio is equally important in the complex execution of supply chains. Due to the customers demand on the Polish market, we have strongly developed contract logistics services, including the e-commerce services sector, as well as road transport services. This is due to our know-how and extensive experience, as well as the needs of the customers we serve globally, including the Polish market. CEVA in Poland is often responsible for the distribution of goods to the entire region of Central and Eastern Europe, hence the importance and development of road transport services. However, with the development of the infrastructures and increasing capacity, we see an acceleration of the Air and Ocean freight forwarding services.
What rail or sea terminals and logistics centers does the company own or operate in Poland?
CEVA is an assets-light company and therefore does not own any rail or sea terminals in Poland, but we are carrying out the supply chains of its customers. Mainly container terminals in Gdańsk and Gdynia, as well as wharves for heavy cargo handling for project logistics orders. Due to the dynamic development of contract logistics services, we operate more than a dozen modern logistics centers located throughout the country.
How will the recent opening of an office in Gdynia affect the development of the Polish branch of CEVA Logistics?
The development of the Gdynia office is a step towards strengthening our position in the ocean freight market. The Gdynia branch provides ocean freight services based on an extensive global logistics network of 1,000 branches and 10,000 port – pairs points. Serving the ports of Gdynia and Gdańsk, CEVA offers direct LCL connections between Europe and North America and the Asia-Pacific region – including Hong Kong, Ningbo and Shanghai. One of the key directions for the development of LCL services of CEVA’s Gdynia branch is North America. The company has already launched weekly service from Chicago to Gdynia with pick-up service from anywhere in the US.
CMA CGM, parent company of CEVA Logistics, plans to integrate GEFCO. How will this acquisition affect the operations of the Polish division?
CEVA Logistics is in the process of integrating GEFCO into our current operations following the closing of the acquisition by the CMA CGM Group in July 2022. Our 12,000 new global colleagues coming from GEFCO (approximately 600 in Poland) have a wealth of experience in a range of industries and especially in the automotive sector. We look forward to serving our growing list of customers in Poland through our enhanced capabilities and stronger team.