Saint-Omer logistical appeal in Multimodal limelight at NEC
Saint-Omer and its region are situated in northern France, at the crossroads between the UK, Belgium and Germany. Saint-Omer Développement, the regional development agency for St-Omer, will take part in the Multimodal 2011 trade show, which will take place in Birmingham (England) between 5 and 7 April. The St-Omer stand will showcase all that the region has to offer in the field of transport and logistics - and more.  "Saint-Omer: A logical choice for logistics" - the motto adopted by Saint-Omer Développement, the agency for the promotion of the region of St-Omer, stems from the region's position at the heart of north-western Europe, close to England. The region will be showcased at the Multimodal trade fair, to be held at the NEC in Birmingham (England) from 5 to 7 April 2011 (Hall 4, Stand 523).  Aware of its facilities and potential, British companies have been moving into the region: ENTYRECYCLE is a good example. The company is an innovative specialist in tyre recycling and has confirmed its intention to expand its activities in the region. The main motivation on the part of ENTYRECYCLE's management for doing so relates to the region's logistical potential, linked itself to the existence of a comprehensive network of inland waterways across this part of France. ENTYRECYCLE also values the presence of quality human resources and of university teams that are able to support the development of its R&D department. Finally, the British specialist company knows that it can rely on locally based businesses to support its expansion. This project should create over 240 jobs, with the activity due to start in earnest in late 2011. There are several enterprise zones and high-tech parks in the region of St-Omer, which can facilitate the development of a project aiming at developing a business activity across northern Europe and Britain from this centrally situated location. From a British perspective, St-Omer can underpin flows of goods into, as well as out of, the UK, depending on the company's focus.  The St-Omer region constitutes an ideal alternative, in business and logistical terms, for British companies that are looking for land that is immediately available and attractively priced: at €15 per square metre, the region is highly competitive as compared to real-estate prices found across Southern England.  For a British business, setting up a logistical hub in St-Omer can, for instance, enable the company to manage stocks easily and cheaply: the goods will be warehoused in St-Omer, at lower cost, while awaiting delivery to the end-user in the UK. Conversely, being based in St-Omer can help a British company to launch its activity across Europe from what is, effectively, a forward base on the Continent.  The St-Omer area enjoys a strategic location at the heart of north-western Europe, with a market of 100 million consumers within a 300km radius. A 30-minute drive from the Channel Tunnel, St-Omer is connected to a dense network of motorways including the A26, A25 and A16. This very good transport infrastructure is a key aspect of the region's appeal.  Whether it is inland waterway transport, with the Port of Arques and its container and bulk terminal, road haulage, or even local courier companies, the St-Omer region offers excellent facilities. Transport and logistics are key sectors, employing over 2,200 people. The region's infrastructure base goes beyond the availability of reasonably priced land and the high level of development of the transport network, which links St-Omer to other parts of northern Europe. The array of complex local services that is on offer ensures that costs are reduced too, and this includes warehousing and packaging facilities (for processing and storage) as well as call centres, among others.  The presence of large industrial businesses and shippers in the fields of glass, cardboard, paper, packaging and the agri-foodstuff industries has underpinned and strengthened the establishment of a significant transport and logistical hub at the heart of the St-Omer region. Two types of logistical activities deserve a special mention: long-distance courier services and local courier-services providers, such as Audo-Express, Mory Team, etc.   Saint-Omer Développement has chosen to renew its participation in the Multimodal trade show, together with Transports Saint Arnould (TSA), in order to promote the region with the British business community.  The attractiveness of the St-Omer region is illustrated by the presence of various businesses that have made it their base for operations across northern France, the British Isles, and the north of Europe.  ▪TSA is based near St-Omer and is a specialist in the transportation of part-loads between France and Britain. One of its key clients is the well-known Saint-Omer Brewery. ▪The KUEHNE + NAGEL Goup has been established in the region of St-Omer