#Zoom: Gaussin, a key player in innovation for transport and logistics solutions, is looking for a buyer

Placed into receivership on September 24^th of this year, Gaussin is looking for a backer with the aim of putting forward a business continuity plan, or a buyer in view of the sale of its business. The receivers, AJRS, represented by Maître Philippe Jeannerot, and BCM, represented by Maître Charles-Henri Carboni, have launched a call for tender with a deadline for offers set at 12 p.m. on the 4^th of November 2024.

Established in 1880 and now headed by the fourth generation of its founding family, Gaussin, an engineering company listed on the stock exchange, has diversified over the years to keep up with logistic and mobility needs in the modern world.  

Today Gaussin specializes in designing high technology vehicles, particularly in the seaport and logistics sectors. The company’s expertise is underwritten by years of know-how and is strongly anchored in the “Made in France”, which has made it a key player on the international stage.

Based in Héricourt in the Haute-Saône region, at its height Gaussin employed 320 people, and has deployed 50 000 vehicles to 2 500 clients. Today it employs 68 people at its head office, with turnover of 25 M€ (2022).

Technology leadership on two markets: seaport terminals and logistics

With a team of approximately 30 engineers, Gaussin develops vehicles capable of transporting containers, moving goods inside warehouses, and rationalizing logistics flows, catering to the needs of 150 000 logistics hubs worldwide with almost 1 billion containers transported (in 2022) on the seaports market.

Technology leadership in its market

With its cutting edge technology, Gaussin is a key player in the manufacture of Made-to-Order (MTO) vehicles, its core business, which means that it can offer solutions that are fully adapted to the specific needs of its clients. Equally capable of producing self-driving vehicles (Automated Guided Vehicles – AGV), Gaussin offers its clients increased automation, particularly useful in a seaport setting, leading to improved effectiveness and security, as has notably been the case on the Port of Singapore.

Gaussin also stands out for its technology leadership in electric and hydrogen solutions. In 2012 the company made the strategic shift towards the electrification of its vehicles, in partnership with the CEA (the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission). This collaboration has resulted in the launch of the ATM, the first fully electric tractor for use in seaports and logistics hubs.

The company offers a range of innovative solutions such as the battery swap (fast battery replacements) and fast charge, enabling operations to continue 24/7. These innovations have helped cement Gaussin’s reputation in the industrial and logistic sectors, switching as it did to electric well before any of its competitors.

Thanks to a modular platform, it can adapt its vehicles to the specific needs of each client and to varying geographical constraints.

A know-how that is “Made in France”, and a global reach

Essentially the only French player in its sector, Gaussin is proud to be Made in France, with vehicles that are fully designed and assembled in France. This expertise was further highlighted at the most recent Made in France Summit, held at the Élysée, and at which Gaussin was recognised for its role in promoting innovation and sustainable mobility.

Gaussin’s reputation spreads far beyond the borders of France, however. With subsidiaries in New York, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand the company has a strategic presence in North America, South Asia, the Middle East, and, of course, Europe, which has enabled it to sign contracts with global companies including Qatar Airways Cargo, Maersk APMT, UPS, Amazon… and, at the end of 2023, to boast an order book worth 150 M€.

Significant market opportunities

Despite its cutting-edge technology and international reach, recently Gaussin has been facing financial difficulties, partly down to the massive investments it has made in innovation, and which have temporarily weakened the company’s cash-flow.

Placed into receivership on September 24 of this year, Gaussin is looking to the future and continues to invest in sustainable and autonomous mobility solutions.

In the seaport and logistics sectors the transition to more sustainable solutions has become a priority and the market therefore offers significant opportunities. Gaussin has identified 40 000 diesel-powered vehicles that will need to be replaced in the short term with emission-free alternatives.

By re-focusing on its strengths and optimising operations, Gaussin is taking the necessary steps to meet the objective of taking advantage of its technology leadership in order to strengthen its position on the seaport and logistics markets, and at the same time expanding into other sectors such as urban mobility and critical infrastructure.

Now looking for a buyer, a call for tender has been launched by its receivers, with a deadline for offers set at 12 p.m. on November 4, 2024.

By Mayday