Geodis Acquires IBM's Global Logistics Operations

In the first of its kind logistics deal, Geodis, which is part of the French transportation company SNCF, has announced that it will acquire IBM's internal global logistics operation. The deal means that Geodis will manage IBM’s 1 Billion Euro logistics function. This includes all of movement of IBM’s hardware and software as well as asset recovery and its service parts operation.

For Geodis this transaction means that they will have access to the vast experience and best practices that IBM has developed over the years, while it also allows IBM to focus on core businesses. As global businesses, such as IBM, continue to try to reduce supply chain costs, this deal between IBM and Geodis may be the first of a growing trend in 2009.