Last week, the Belgian freight transport and logistics group saw nearly all of its French operations liquidated by the Lille commercial court on March 31, after a very brief receivership period and only a few very partial acquisition offers.
Major Operations Wound Down
Judges terminated the parent company in France, Ziegler France—1,436 employees across 51 agencies—and subsidiary Satra, which employed 71 people at its agencies in Lesquin, Bapaume, and Aulnay-sous-Bois.
Some Subsidiaries Still in Play
Two other subsidiaries, Ziegler Services (55 employees in Bressuire) and Dornach France (55 employees in Roncq), obtained continuation of their collective proceedings until April 28, hoping for an acquisition solution. Another subsidiary, Transco, is due for review on April 13.
Impact on Subcontractors
Ziegler France’s difficulties predated the recent energy crisis. “Beyond the direct impact on company employees, this situation has dramatic consequences for hundreds of subcontractors, mainly very small and small businesses, already weakened by a very difficult economic context,” declares transport organization Otre.
“We expressly demand that invoices owed to subcontractor carriers be treated as priority in the liquidation proceedings. These receivables, arising from services actually performed, cannot be relegated to second place without endangering an already extremely vulnerable economic fabric.”