Good revenue growth at Norbert Dentressangle

Norbert Dentressangle has reported an "encouraging" increase in revenue for the first nine months of 2013 for its Logistics divison, while its Transport business returned to growth in the third quarter after seeing a fall in income for the previous six months. 

Group revenues rose 2% to €2.96bn (£2.5bn) in the first nine months of this year, with Transport seeing sales fall "a modest" 2.0% to €1.5bn and Logistics rising 7.3% to €1.4bn, partly helped by continuing expansion of its activities outside France. On a like for like and constant exchange rate basis Transport fell 1.3% and Logistics rose 5.2% in the first nine months. Logistics had a particularly good third quarter, seeing revenue rise 10.4% on a like for like basis, while Transport rose 1%.

UK revenue for the first nine months was €892m, 30% of total consolidated group turnover.

ND chairman Hervé Montjotin (pictured) said:  "In line with expectations, Norbert Dentressangle is reporting an encouraging increase in its business activities for the first nine months of 2013, primarily driven by a return to growth in the third quarter. In particular, our group is taking advantage of its now significant exposure to economies which are growing at a faster rate than that of France. The Transport business returned to growth in the third quarter. The Logistics business reported robust growth which is accelerating thanks to a sound commercial momentum in its European markets, the launch of the businesses with our customer Danone in Saudi Arabia and in Russia, and the consolidation of Fiege’s businesses in Italy and Spain. Based on this performance, we are confident in our ability to maintain our operating income (EBITA) at a level comparable to that achieved over the past few years."