French Europe region: Air and sea freight in balance
75 employees in Belgium, France and Switzerland focus on Food & Beverage.
Antwerp has been a fixed star in a. hartrodt's international network from the very beginning. Shortly after the company was founded in 1887, Arthur Hartrodt opened one of the first subsidiaries in his city of birth – and thereby demonstrated foresight. Since 1983, the family-owned company has established its headquarters for the fast-growing French Europe region with Belgium, France and Switzerland at today's second most important port in Europe. Regional Managing Director Jens Roemer emphasizes "a strong balance of air and sea freight" as a special feature. In Belgium, for example, there are airport offices in Brussels and Antwerp-Deurne.
First three offices established in Belgium
The region's latest branch opened at Zurich Airport at the beginning of May. Now a. hartrodt has six offices in French-speaking Europe with 75 employees. After three Belgian offices had been established, the Swiss company was launched in the year 2000 with headquarters in Basel. In France, a. hartrodt initially established a representative office in 1998, before a wholly owned company took over operations in 2002.
LCL reefer consolidations and climate-related transport solutions
"In all countries, we have a focus on Food & Beverage and the global cool chain," says Jens Roemer. Mikael Poncet, Managing Director at a. hartrodt France, highlights weekly LCL reefer consolidations from Le Havre to Singapore and Hong Kong: "The most precious wines and other delicacies arrive at 15 degrees Celsius without the smallest loss of quality." While customers from the chemical industry appreciate the dangerous goods expertise in Belgium, the landlocked situation is a challenge for the Swiss team: "Climate-related changes lead to disruptions in transportation on the river Rhine, but we offer resilient solutions," says Managing Director Gabriela Aebi-Tövishati.
The region's next office will open in France in the fourth quarter: "With the strategic development of our air freight services in mind, we will move to the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport hub, " comments Jens Roemer on the growth plans.