Transports Jourdan expands in Provence and invests €2 million

Transports Jourdan, based in Normandy just a stone's throw from the Mont-Saint-Michel, is ramping up its business in Provence. This family-owned company has been leasing the facility for three years, but now it is shifting into high gear with a €2 million investment in the town of Charleval. Philippe Petit and his son Alexandre, who has been tapped to succeed him as president of the firm, just celebrated the official grand opening of its new warehouse alongside elected officials and Provence Promotion staff. The economic development agency awarded Transports Jourdan the "Invest in Provence" label to highlight the company's commitment to the region. 

Transports Jourdan specializes in agribusiness and industrial freight forwarding with operations that radiate out from Normandy across all of France. After an initial expansion to the Paris area (Aulnay-sous-Bois), the SMB is turning to the south, giving a real boost to its growth outside of the capital.

The company has been leasing a warehouse at Plan d'Orgon since 2012, but it quickly became a victim of its own success as its 500 m2 were not sufficient. It just invested €2 million to purchase two hectares of land and build a logistics center in Charleval. The town is developing the Leï Rouompidou complex, which combines 21 hectares of residential and business properties overlooking the Luberon mountains. "We saw that the local market was responding well, so we decided to make a permanent commitment to Provence. We settled on this town, which had land available. In just six months, we built 2,000 m2 of covered warehouse space and 1,000 m2 of loading docks," reports Alexandre Petit, CEO of Transports Jourdan.

The branch opened for business in January. The economic development agency Provence Promotion helped the firm recruit local workers. "The majority of our 19 employees live in Provence. Our medium-term goal is to double our workforce and our volume. Our Charleval office is already earning more than our Paris branch," Alexandre Petit notes with surprise.

Working with a fleet of 160 engines and 380 vehicle registrations, Transports Jourdan, member of Groupement Flo, operates several daily road shuttles that depart Charleval for Saint-Hilaire du Harcouët, Lyons, Orléans and Toulouse.

A logistics company and a forerunner in environmental protection

Transports Jourdan, which specializes in grouping and regional, national and international distribution, leverages the railway network. "Every day, we load swap bodies on the Avignon-Dourges line for around 15 clients," explains Philippe Petit.

The president of Transports Jourdan made an early commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by focusing on road-rail transit, outfitting his vehicle fleet to comply with Euro V and VI standards and training his drivers in economical driving. 
"We are among the first 14 French freight companies to earn the CO2 Label," boasts Alexandre Petit, speaking of the certification announced last year by the president of ADEME.

The company was founded in 1952 by his grandfather, Lucien, to deliver livestock to the Paris region. In the late 1970s, it began focusing on industry, especially telecommunications cables. Today, the second generation has been so successful in growing the family business that it now earns €20 million in sales and can open a new operating base in southwestern France.