Norbert Dentressangle’s sales rose 28 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 to 958 million euros, compared to 750 million euros in the same period last year.
Its transport business recorded revenues of 522 million euros in the first quarter of 2012, up 19 per cent on the 2011 figure largely due to the effect of integrating TDG activities. The increase of 0.9 per cent at like-for-like exchange rate and consolidation scope is linked to the rise in the cost of fuel over the quarter.
Logistics recorded revenues of 422 million euros for the first quarter, up 35 per cent, also impacted by the integration of TDG activities. At like-for-like exchange rate and consolidation scope, the business maintained growth of 2.8 per cent.
Freight forwarding revenue tripled to 32 million euros compared to €10 million in Q1 2011, following the integration of APC Beijing International.
Organic growth amounted to 1.4 per cent in a business context that saw volatility in customer demand at the beginning of 2012. The proportion of revenue achieved outside France represented 57 per cent of total business.
François Bertreau, chief executive officer, said: “The first quarter confirms the market situation that we expected at the start of the year, i.e. business without much visibility but tending to firm up after the slight slowdown seen at the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. Norbert Dentressangle generally held up well this quarter in terms of business and rigorous cost management.”