TDG buy puts ND UK logistics in top spot

The head of Norbert Dentressangle’s (ND) UK logistics believes 2012 will see the operation cement its number one spot in ND’s overall international operations as the business shifts into another gear following the integration of TDG.

In ND’s latest results, the UK outperformed all other countries to become its logisitic division’s key revenue contributor in 2011, generating 41% of the total.

ND Logistics UK MD Malcolm Wilson tells MT.co.uk: “We’re in a great place; the business has a renewed scale following the TDG integration and a superb customer base.”

He says the TDG integration went smoothly, with no fallout of customers; many are receptive to the shape of the new business and are “open-minded about providing increased levels of business activity to ND in an organic environment”.

However, Wilson is under no illusions about the economic climate, expecting 2012 to be tough.

“That environment suits ND. It suits our business in the UK. It allows us to differentiate ourselves from more established logistics service providers as we are fresh-thinking,” he says.

Wilson is expecting a year of strong organic growth as customers use services across the whole of the group, as well as revealing that some significant business wins are already in the pipeline for this year.

So far this year, the division has started work on two major logistics contracts with Carlsberg and House of Fraser.

ND’s logistics division saw a 27.6% rise in operating profit from €63m in 2010 to €80.4m in 2011.

The transport business posted a 7.5% rise in operating profit to €47.4m from €44.1m the previous year, although the UK’s performance was com-paratively weaker. Group revenue was up 27% to €3.6bn, with EBITDA up 22.6% to €130.4m.