TRUCKING INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE * Europe

* European Freight Forwarding index up in March

Brussels,Belgium -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -6 April 2011: -- The European Freight Forwarding index published by Danske Bank shows a further positive trend, moving up from 63 in February to 64 in March. And those contributing to the index’s findings reveal themselves optimistic for the months to come. In a little more detail, it is above all maritime freight which is making progress, while road freight remains fairly stable, along with air freight...

* Germany - ‘TimoCom to go’ service available en route

Düsseldorf,Germany - Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -6 April 2011: -- German company TimoCom has been offering users of its freight exchange TC Truck&Cargo a new service named ‘TimoCom to go’ since April 5th. It enables information on available space and loads to be consulted while on the road. The service has been very successful on the Czech market, which is why it has now been extended to the whole of Europe and offered free in 24 languages.

* France - GEFCO acquires 70% of Gruppo Mercurio

Blyes,l'Ain,France -Transport Intelligence -6 Apr 2011:  -- GEFCO, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, has signed an agreement with the Italian fund Venice to acquire its 70% share of Gruppo Mercurio, the leading Italian vehicle transportation and distribution company...  Mercurio has a significant worldwide presence, notably in fast growing markets Mercosur, India, South-East Asia and Central Europe. The company generated revenues of €127m in 2010...  The acquisition of Mercurio is subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities, amongst others factors...

* Netherlands - Neele Logistics opens in Romania

Rotterdam,Hoogvliet,The Netherlands -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -18 March 2011: -- Dutch logistics supplier Neele Logistics has opened a new installation in Oradea, Romania. With this new installation Neele Logistics will be able to serve the two Balkan states of Romania and Bulgaria in an optimal fashion. The Rotterdam company is now offering daily departures to all of the Balkan destinations. The Rumanian depot will operate around 50 vehicles. It will be under the management of Dutchman Paul Rovers.

* The Netherlands - Vos Logistics extends its EDC at Goch

Oss,The Netherlands -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- Vos Logistics has decided to extend its Goch logistics centre by 5,500 m2 (giving 11,000 extra pallet spaces), bringing it up to 20,500 m2 with an option for a future expansion. This evolution is within the framework of the prolonging of the strategic collaboration between Vos Logistics et Akzo Nobel. Vos Logistics has been managing the Decorative Coatings business unit distribution centre for Akzo Nobel since 2004, for supplying the German market...


* Austria - Hödlmayr takes over part of activities of Tatschl & Söhne

Schwertberg,Austria -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- Logistics supplier Hödlmayr Logistics Austria, specialising in car transport, is taking over part of the activities of Tatschl & Söhne Speditions und Transport. In more detail, this takeover involves 90 vehicle transport road units and 100 members of staff, with a volume of around 15,000 vehicles per year...

* France -  Acquisition of TDG by Norbert Dentressangle finalised

Saint-Vallier, Drôme, France -Truck Europe, by Claude Yvens -29 March 2011:  -- Norbert Dentressangle has announced it has finalised the acquisition of TDG for 241 million EUR (6 million EUR more than what it expected to pay in November)...  The dossier involving the takeover of TDG (via holding company Laxey Logistics Ltd) by French group Norbert Dentressangle, had finally been approved by the European Commission on March 21st...  Norbert Dentressangle had announced its intention to buy at the end of November 2010. According to our information, the French group wished to receive the green light from the Commission before the end of last year, but it had not presented a sufficiently detailed dossier. A second dossier was thus given to the Commission...  The Commission estimated that the takeover would not distort competition, even in the UK where Norbert Dentressangle already has a substantial presence via the activities of the former Christian Salvesen...(Photo from wikipedia.org: Renault Premium Norbert Dentressangle)

* Germany - CargoLine volumes up in 2010

Dietzenbach,Germany -Truck Europe, by Michel Buckinx -4 April 2011: -- The CargoLine network recorded an increase in its volume of activities in 2010, up by 13.3 % to 11.1 million shipments generating turnover of 1.3 billion Euros (+ 10.5 %). There are now fifteen partners in the network...