Since 2007, Lower Normandy’s logistics clubs have been reunited within the FCL-BN (Federation of Lower Normandy Logistics Clubs). Today, the association in charge of coordinating the network offers the sector’s SME-SMIs, from traders to distributors, a quick and concrete diagnosis to assess and optimise their organisation, thanks to a programme entitled Opte’Log. Introduction.

A new president for the FCL-BN

A new president for the FCL-BN
During its last general meeting, the FCL-BN renewed its board. Jean Yves Geffroy (Legallais-Bouchard) was elected President for the forthcoming term of office. He will be taking over from Dominique Marchal (Managing Director of Normatrans), after the latter’s two year term of office. Thomas Michel (Chairman of the Pays d’Auge Logistics Club, from Euro Logistic) and Tony Buhot (Chairman of the Manche Logistics Club, from Dialog) were both re-elected Vice-Presidents, Stéphane Auvray (Secretary of the Flers Argentan Logistics Club, from Derichebourg) was elected Treasurer, and Yann Leriche (representing the Alençon Logistics Club) was elected secretary.

Opte’Log is aimed at accompanying SME-SMIs with less than 250 salaried workers, to help them improve the organisation of their logistics operations in order to increase their competitiveness. Logistics is moving into top gear. Fully aware of the challenge of territorial competitiveness and attractiveness, the sector is organising its efforts around the FCL-BN (Federation of Lower Normandy Logistics Clubs), one of the missions of which is coordination on a regional level ⁽¹⁾.
The association is now the key contact with regional authorities and benefits from both State and Regional support, aimed at implementing action to develop the logistics sector. Today, the FCL-BN is launching Opte’Log (Objectif Performance de l’Entreprise par la Logistique – Developing business performance via logistics), a coaching programme over a few days aimed at revitalising logistic organisation within industrial companies, from traders to distributors, with less than 250 salaried workers. This collective 15-month programme (scheduled to assist 30 SME-SMIs) is co-funded by the Lower Normandy Regional Council and the DRIRE (Regional Directorate for Industry, Research and Environment). “Logistic operations are often dealt with internally (outsourcing representing only 20%). Consequently, improving, optimising or reforming these operations can obviously have a positive impact on competitiveness,” explains Jean-Yves Geffroy, independent director of Legallais Bouchard and the FCL-BN’s new President . “Over several months now, the economic crisis has led businesses to look for ways of cutting costs. Improving their logistic skills is but one of the possible levers. Today, competitiveness is synonymous to stability.”
Reducing costs and delays, lowering stocks, traceability, improving workflow… are all potential areas for businesses to improve on their competitiveness. A comprehensive diagnosis of their organisation Provided that the company can successfully assess its own organisation. “Opte’Log relies on a set of guidelines on good logistics practice (Global MMOG/LE) and takes into account the company’s client-supplier relationships, together with its development priorities,” explains Catherine Launay, Regional Delegate for the FCL-BN. “We offer business leaders a comprehensive diagnosis of their organisation, conducted in less than six days by experts from the CRITT’s “Transport Logistics” team, in partnership with ASAPP Consulting, a specialised consultancy.” The cost of this assessment can be partly funded thanks to Impulsion Conseil grants awarded by MIRIADE⁽³⁾, subject to the company’s eligibility (up to 80% of the total cost, with a threshold of 6,500 Euro, excl. VAT). The FCL-BN’s President believes that, “Opte’Log is a genuine opportunity that businesses should seize.”
Following the assessment, the business leader is provided with a short-term plan enabling him/her to take action and to engage in a continuous approach towards improvement. “After this initial analysis phase, coordinators from throughout the region’s clubs will be available to assist and accompany business leaders, for they are perfectly familiar with the local economic fabric and the companies targeted by the Opte’Log initiative,” adds Jean-Yves Geffroy. But the FCL-BN is not going it alone. “We have signed a partnership agreement with the ARIA-BN, a regional association representing businesses from the automotive sector,” informs Catherine Launay. The agreement aims at bringing the two associations closer together and at offering increased exposure for coaching and assistance programmes.” In logistics too, united we stand.

(1) Via five logistics clubs (Caen, Argentan, Pays d’Auge, Alençon et Manche), the FCL-BN reunites professionals interested in developing logistics throughout the region: transport and logistics providers, industrial and trading companies, service providers… i.e. over 120 potential businesses, to which can be added associated economic development bodies and training organisations. The FCL-BN and logistics clubs offer a propitious environment for collaboration and partnership aimed at reinforcing territorial attractiveness and encouraging competitiveness, in order to efficiently and rapidly seize market opportunities.
(2) CRITT: Regional Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre.
(3) Miriade is a Local Public Establishment created by the Lower Normandy Regional Council within the framework of its mission for economic coordination, as per the French decentralisation laws of 2004.

> Catherine Launay
Tel: 02 31 35 52 86
E-mail: c.launay@fcl-bn.com

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