SDV International Logistics

SDV's history dates to 1885, when the French freight-forwarding business was formally established under a name associated with SCAC, Société Commerciale d'Affrètement et de Combustibles, and Delmas Vieljeux. Its early commercial role centered on freight routes between France and Africa. This origin gave the company a distinctive connection with African trade lanes and later with the wider international logistics activities developed under the Bolloré Group. A major ownership turning point occurred in 1986, when SDV became the main logistics subsidiary of the Bolloré Group. The relationship placed the company within a diversified corporate group and provided a platform for expanding beyond its historical France-Africa orientation. Over time, SDV developed into a global logistics organization offering transport coordination, customs services, warehousing, distribution, industrial-project logistics, and supply-chain management. During the 2000s, the company pursued geographic and capability expansion through acquisitions. In 2004, it acquired the Geis network in Asia and created SDV Geis Germany. In 2005, it acquired SWG Logistics in India. In 2007, the purchase of JE Bernard in the United Kingdom was followed by the consolidation of the activity into SDV UK Ltd. SDV also acquired a majority stake in Getco, an Italian multimodal transport operator based in Milan. Collectively, these transactions extended SDV's presence across Asia, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, while strengthening its multimodal offering. The company was organized into five geographic regions: Europe; Africa, where its activity was associated with Bolloré Africa Logistics; Asia-Pacific, headquartered regionally in Singapore; the Middle East, with regional centers identified in Dubai, Delhi, and Doha; and the Americas, with a regional headquarters in New York City. The reference material describes a network of approximately 600 agencies and around 35,800 employees in 102 countries. Its operating model was built around five main segments: multimodal transport; customs and regulatory compliance; logistics; industrial projects; and supply chain. SDV served business customers in oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare, cosmetics and perfumes, fashion, telecommunications, and high technology. These sectors typically require coordinated international movement, specialized documentation, controlled handling, or project-based delivery planning. The supplied sources do not provide a conclusive account of SDV's later corporate history, current legal status, or whether the brand continued independently after the period described. No current website, ticker, financial figures, or named executives are established by the available material. The brand should therefore be understood primarily as the historical international logistics business documented in the cited reference, with its present status left unresolved.

• 2007

  Creation of SDV UK Ltd

  [1]SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org

  Following its acquisition of JE Bernard in the United Kingdom, SDV placed the activity within a single organization called SDV UK Ltd.

• 2005

  Acquisition of SWG Logistics

  [1]SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org

  The company acquired SWG Logistics in India.

• 2004

  Expansion through the Geis network

  [1]SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org

  SDV acquired the Geis network in Asia and created SDV Geis Germany.

• 1986

  Becomes Bolloré's principal logistics subsidiary

  [1]SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org

  SDV became the main logistics subsidiary of the Bolloré Group, supporting its subsequent international expansion.

• 1885

  Formal establishment in France

  [1]SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org

  SDV was formally established as a freight forwarder specializing in trade routes between France and Africa.

An integrated, internationally networked business-to-business logistics provider serving cross-border transport, customs, distribution, industrial projects, and sector-specific supply-chain requirements.

• Transportation service

  Multimodal Transport

  SDV coordinated freight across multiple transport modes as part of its international forwarding and logistics offering. The capability was particularly relevant to customers moving goods through complex cross-border routes and to the company's expansion through multimodal operator Getco in Italy.

• Trade-compliance service

  Customs and Regulatory Compliance

  The company provided customs brokerage and regulatory-compliance support to help business customers manage the documentation and border requirements associated with international shipments. This service formed one of SDV's five principal operating segments.

• Logistics service

  Warehousing and Distribution

  SDV's logistics activities included warehousing and distribution, linking inbound transport with storage, order handling, and onward delivery. These services supported sector customers requiring coordinated movement through international supply chains.

• Project logistics

  Industrial Projects

  The industrial-projects segment addressed logistics requirements associated with large or specialized business projects. The available material identifies oil and gas and aerospace among the sectors served, but does not specify individual projects or technical offerings.

• Supply-chain service

  Supply Chain Management

  SDV offered supply-chain management as an integrated business service, combining transport, compliance, logistics, and distribution capabilities for customers operating across multiple markets.

• 2007

  Acquisition and consolidation of JE BernardM&A

  Background

  SDV aimed to consolidate its British operations under a unified structure.

  Action taken

  The company acquired JE Bernard and formed a single operating organization under the name SDV UK Ltd.

  Aftermath

  The transaction created a unified SDV operating organization in the United Kingdom.

  Source

• 2005

  Acquisition of SWG LogisticsM&A

  Background

  SDV continued its regional expansion in the Indian logistics market.

  Action taken

  SDV acquired SWG Logistics in India.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition added an Indian logistics operation to SDV's international network.

  Source

• 2004

  Acquisition of the Geis networkM&A

  Background

  SDV sought to broaden its Asian network and strengthen its European operating footprint.

  Action taken

  The company acquired the Geis network in Asia and created SDV Geis Germany.

  Aftermath

  The transaction expanded SDV's presence in Asia and Germany.

  Source

• 1986

  Integration as Bolloré Group's main logistics subsidiaryStrategy

  Background

  SDV operated as an established French freight forwarder with a historical France-Africa focus before becoming part of Bolloré's logistics structure.

  Action taken

  SDV became the Bolloré Group's principal logistics subsidiary.

  Aftermath

  The relationship provided the corporate framework for SDV's subsequent international network development and acquisition-led expansion.

  Source

1. 1SDV International Logisticsen.wikipedia.org