UK now 32% of total Norbert Dentressangle turnover

A “satisfactory” fourth quarter left French logistics giant Norbert Dentressangle with group turnover of €3.88bn (£3.32bn) during 2012 – up 8.5%.

The group’s transport division accounted for just over €2bn of this (up 3.7%), despite reduced volumes from some customers; with its contract logistics work adding just under €1.8bn (up 12%), thanks mainly to a strong performance in the UK, Italy and the Netherlands. The firm’s burgeoning freight forwarding activities, meanwhile, generated revenues of €143m (up 67%).

Although ND’s total turnover failed to grow on a like-for-like, constant exchange rate basis, chief executive Hervé Montjotin said the group had “maintained its growth dynamic throughout the year, despite a worsening and more volatile economic environment”.

Just under 60% of group revenues are now generated outside France, said Montjotin. The UK is the group’s second biggest market, accounting for almost 32% of total sales.

Norbert Dentressangle’s full annual results will be announced on 27 February.