How Can Transcausse Stay Competitive Against International Integrators?
The SeaRates and Digital Freight Alliance teams are happy to be part of the growing success of the global shipping industry. We take pleasure in exchanging insightful teamwork experiences that aid companies around the world in hitting their targets and boosting revenue.
For today's interview, we invited Christine Balandreau, Business Development Director of Transcausse, from the Balguerie Group, a DFA Premium Member from Marseille, France.
Our gratitude goes to Christine Balandreau for the valuable chance to converse and gain insights into the unique aspects of the Transcausse and its potential contributions. Stay with us to forge new partnerships and grow opportunities essential for the growth of your logistics venture.
Tell us a bit about your company
Transcausse is part of a 100% family-owned group, the Balguerie Group, whose origins date back in 1930. Our strength in international freight and logistics specialization is backed by 1320 employees in France and revenues of €500 million. Our expertise has long been honed by practice and the urgent needs of a world and industries that are constantly changing. Since 1930, we have been evolving and adapting to the constantly changing world of transport.
Our expertise strategy is based on significant resource integration (transport means, dry and temperature-controlled warehouses, IT traceability, customs expertise), a high-quality network of international agents, all national and European locations of the BALGUERIE Group, and a certification policy adapted to our specialties (Authorized Economic Operator, ECOCERT, etc.).
An expanded network of freight services, international coverage, and methods of efficiently providing individualized logistics services to our customers are the triad of our ongoing success and expansion prospects.
We have a network of offices in French ports and airports where you can always meet us to not only share your immediate logistics and trade needs but also to effectively agree on strategies to improve your business processes. You can also contact us online to get a convenient consultation to ensure that you get the best possible results for your individual needs.
What services do you provide to ensure your customers' satisfaction?
Completion of the acquisition of Bolloré Logistics' activities in French West Indies, French Guiana, and Polynesia: a major step in the sustainable growth strategy of the Balguerie Group
Balguerie Group announces the completion of the acquisition of Bolloré Logistics' overseas activities, marking a key step in its development. Following the signing of a purchase agreement with CMA CGM, Balguerie Group now integrates Bolloré Logistics operations in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, French Guiana, and Polynesia, as well as teams based in mainland France, between Le Havre, Rouen, Orly and Dunkirk. This agreement follows a competitive process led by CMA CGM and the approval granted by the European Commission and the competition authorities in France and Polynesia.
Antoine THOMAS, CEO of BGP, the holding company of Balguerie Group, who will now lead the overseas entities, stated: "We are very pleased to integrate and welcome the teams and overseas activities of Bolloré Logistics into Balguerie Group. This acquisition marks a new key step for us; it strengthens the solidity of our family group while aligning with our sustainable growth strategy."
About Balguerie Group: Led by Patrick THOMAS, Balguerie Group is a major player in transport and logistics. Independent and family owned for over 90 years, the Group offers a full range of services in maritime, air, land, and multimodal logistics. The Group, which now employs 1,320 people across 49 locations, is recognized for its expertise and as a trusted partner for companies seeking customized and innovative logistics solutions. Balguerie Group is actively committed to societal and environmental initiatives, striving to reduce its carbon footprint and promote responsible solutions for its clients.
How has being a member of the DFA improved your business operations?
We would like to emphasize our main privilege, which is the quick and efficient formation of partnerships with essential industry players under common needs and plans. For example, with the DFA Premium Membership, promptly finding direct access to local key parties and building proper partnerships allows us to consolidate efforts in regional ports, pool resources, compare procurement, and benefit from synergies. Thus, we gain a significant competitive advantage in the entire market, as Transcausse is very responsive to our customers' needs and finds the best solutions to transport their various cargoes via the most profitable routes.
In addition, the annual meetings in Dubai, namely this year's Global Freight Summit 2024, are important for meeting partners and strengthening ties. We are happy to be a part of such a community and to easily communicate with partners and make new valuable contacts.
Finally, we would like to highlight more useful features, such as DFA Payment Protection & Liability Insurance services, which we have actively implemented in our business, as they allow us to do business with unknown agents with a guarantee of receiving payment and meeting even the smallest conditions.
How has being part of the DFA enhanced trust and credibility with your clients, leading to more bookings?
As a DFA Premium Member, a growing audience of carriers, shippers, freight forwarders, and other logistics providers has come to know us as a conglomeration of efficient services that are united in a supply chain control tower.
Our development and prosperity are strengthened by the well-established system of the Alliance. Transcausse promptly responds to all our transportation requests and advises on local French regulations, ensuring transparent logistics in the main European region.
What are the advantages of your tariffs?
Let us elaborate on the competitive advantages of our freight rates compared to other providers, particularly in terms of reliability and cost-effectiveness:
Transcausse offers each world destination general cargo. Moreover, our teams benefit from the prices negotiated by our group, and we have a procurement cell specifically for import flows from Asia. To give you an idea, we control 210,000 TEUs per year, 20,000 tons of air freight, and 22,000 reefers. We check the "on-ship" rates daily, which are sometimes very advantageous, and negotiate personalized prices for our clients.
Are there any specific services or specialties that your company offers that you would like to highlight for potential clients?
Transcausse strives not only to cover more needs but also to improve the quality of our services by providing comprehensive and customized solutions for global industries:
- Careful and timely medical supplies, taking into account temperature requirements and specific cargo characteristics
- Embodiment of a supply chain control tower for profitability, securing industrial projects, and abnormal loads
- Ensuring impeccable temperature conditions for the transportation of foodstuffs
- A reliable Ro-Ro solution for transportation (Roll-on/Roll-off), which involves regular transportation of hazardous goods and much more, can be applied instantly
- In-port assistance is the specialized logistics backup for your dockside operations and ship resupply from the Transcausse team
- Custom and bespoke logistics services for fairs and exhibitions requiring supply are provided by Transcausse's subsidiary, NATT (Nouvelle Agence de Transit Transport)
- Global supply chain service coverage and maintenance to support your expansion into new markets
What new services do you offer that are not available from other forwarders?
Experienced Transcausse teams focus on specific market niches where competitors are not present or less efficient, for example:
- the transport of specialized goods such as perishable products (medicines, foodstuffs), dangerous goods, or oversized equipment
- our Ro-Ro services to the Maghreb in trailers are the fastest alternative to containers
- and much more
Furthermore, we are trusted leaders in last-mile delivery on rugged islands like Corsica or Reunion! Transcausse can offer a level of personalized service that giant companies cannot always match. This includes tailor-made solutions for clients, more direct communication, and the ability to quickly adapt to clients' changing needs.
The following are the major categories of freight services in Corsica:
- Transport in batch courier or charter mode
- Specialist distribution
- Air freight
- Car transporting
Moreover, Transcausse covers sea, air, and inland transportation of goods of various specifics as a bespoke International haulage provider who offers a comprehensive set of services:
- Sea transport designer
- Air transport designer
- Inland freight designer
- Customs expertise
- Multimodal Platform
- Multimodal haulage
- Consolidation and Groupage
What guarantees do you offer your clients? How does your company handle issues that may arise during transport?
It's "simple". Transcausse meets the obligations of a freight forwarder, namely comprehensively organizing and coordinating the transport of goods from start to finish. We ensure safe and timely delivery for your business's specific needs. This includes advising and informing the client, remaining vigilant to risks related to the goods, complying with laws and regulations, and addressing safety and environmental matters. We have an obligation to result; it's very important to remember. If one of the transport chain links fails, we must find a solution and know that our role is crucial. No, it's not "simple," but we are here to put your mind at ease with proven logistics solutions and freight services.
How has the use of innovative technologies, such as our tools, contributed to your company's growth and efficiency?
Investing in modern technologies is a challenge for freight forwarders like Transcausse. We hear about blockchain for traceability, artificial intelligence for route optimization, and advanced fleet management systems that could help SMEs improve their operational efficiency and competitiveness. Our clients increasingly demand that we be equipped with the latest tools. Therefore, we invest in developing our own tools and rely on the services of the port, shipping companies, airlines, or other platforms like DFA.
Exploring the example of our last-mile delivery services in Corsica, you can learn about transportation's digitalization thanks to IT logistics technologies. The ability to get real-time cargo tracking and accurate updates in the supply chain has always been the most sought-after in the industry.
Transcausse's customized solutions can be found on our website in the “Corsica” section, one of which is the software that allows us to easily consolidate the actual data on our customers' shipments from the moment they arrive at our warehouses to the moment they are successfully delivered.
How do you envision the growth and success of your company in the future, especially in light of your partnership with the DFA?
Our answer will be quite short — our plans for cooperation with DFA are very ambitious and exciting. We see real opportunities to strengthen our wide range of services with even more offerings for our valuable customers, such as specialized logistics, customs services, and multimodal transport.
We are well on our way to meeting the broader needs of our global customer base and creating additional revenue streams, opportunities for prosperity, and fruitful cooperation with DFA Members.
Why should clients choose your company for their shipments?
What you will see and experience is focused on operational excellence and quality of service. These are the components that help Transcausse build a solid reputation, attract loyal customers, and develop long-term relationships with you by providing reliable and high-quality solutions.
And finally, we never tire of improving ourselves, delighting you with a new level of simplicity and unique benefits. We invest in the continuous training of our employees to make them more versatile and competent in using new technologies and best practices in our industry.
Thank you for your trust in our services. See you soon to solve any logistical issue you are concerned about!
We appreciate the opportunity to showcase Transcausse and express our sincere wishes for your company's prosperity and development. SeaRates and the Digital Freight Alliance look forward to the possibility of meeting you soon and contributing to your success.
For any logistics and trade needs, please feel free to contact us at sales@searates.com. To reach Transcausse, refer to the contact details provided below:
Contact details
Feel free to contact Transcausse for unique and quality freight services to handle any of your cargo requirements and make shipping easier with flexible and all-out freight services for shippers worldwide.
Christine Balandreau
Business Development Director
+33(0)491131601
Mobile: +33(0)760639702
Head office Marseille Office
TRANSCAUSSE S.A.S.
ZAC Saumaty Seon
22, rue Gaston Castel
CS 10179 – 13322
MARSEILLE CEDEX 16, France
+33(0)491131515
+33(0)661085014
