The year 2022 has seen many disruptions in supply chains. In this context, should the supply chain be revolutionized?
I would rather say that the supply chain is in permanent revolution. The first requirement of most of our customers, the “shippers”, is to ensure the delivery of the goods that can be sold as soon as possible. It must be recognized that global events have been building up for several years to disrupt supply chains both upstream and downstream, even though product availability has become a major issue for commercial success. This is a paradox and a challenge that transport and logistics companies must respond to.
To face it, is the digitization of the supply chain one of the ways to follow?
Digital transformation is undeniably a means. Unfortunately, it happens that we confuse means and objectives. The digitization of processes is not an end in itself, it entails a lot of rigidity. The sole purpose is to guarantee a quality and trustworthy service. With this in mind, if digital tools offer more efficiency, we must take advantage of them. In any case, the human being must remain at the heart of the system. We believe that it is impossible to replace the intelligence and sense of initiative of men and women who have the ability to adapt and solve problems in the face of the unexpected.
These themes of transformation of the supply chain professions, how does the BBL Group intend to integrate them?
We have embarked on the transformation of our operational functions with the goal of freeing up our employees as much as possible. With digital tools to facilitate the flow of information, but focusing on the needs of our customers. There is a growing demand for more integrated services. It is no longer just a question of deploying resources, we must offer complete “Contract Supply-Chain” services with -around the logistics warehouses- an integrated chain and shared performance indicators: upstream, with the purchasing supply chain and downstream, with omnichannel distribution on sales. That is why we are developing our four businesses in parallel: road transport, foreign transportyescustoms management and contract logistics warehouse solutions.
Transport is a particularly polluting sector. However, the challenges of sustainable development are now unavoidable. How do you approach this topic?
The reduction of emissions and waste is one of the great challenges for the next 10 years in the world of transport. Magical trucks or boats do not exist, they consume energy and inevitably pollute. On the other hand, within the BBL Group, we are convinced that freight forwarders have a positive impact by becoming partners in better transportation intelligence. This requires, in particular, the strengthening of grouping logics. Many empty transports can be avoided. We are also developing a circular logistics and returns management offer. In addition, we are attentive to all innovations that allow the reduction of polluting emissions or the reduction of waste. In alliance with vehicle manufacturers, we are developing contractual offers for the management of regional distribution rounds with B100 (Biodiesel) or 100% electric engines.
The growth of the BBL Group is very fast with the recent acquisition of Share Logistics in the Netherlands. What is your driving force and what are your international growth ambitions?
In five years, we have multiplied our turnover by six with a turnover goal of more than 840 M euros in 2023, while our workforce has multiplied by three with a strong internationalization of our teams. The BBL Group is made up of a federation of specialists built around four core supply chain businesses: trucking, transportation Exterior, customs, contract logistics. Today, we seek to develop the complex on the scale of the European continent. Hence the acquisition of Share Logistics, a company present in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain, a territory from which we were still absent. From now on, the BBL group is present in 17 countries in the Europe-Mediterranean area. Enough to allow us to offer highly integrated services between our different businesses, with extensive European coverage and the support of extremely agile and motivated teams that maintain their brand and preserve their know-how.
This content was produced with SCRIBEO. The BFM BUSINESS editorial team was not involved in the production of this content.
Source: BFM TV
