The Heppner Group
Heppner is a specialist creator of transport and logistics solutions and an independent leader in international transport from and to France. Our robust, powerful overland transport networks connect more than 40 European countries, with deliveries in 24–72 hours to the main European cities. With strong international business connections, our exclusive partnership agreements also enable us to handle ocean and air transport to and from 157 countries around the world.
With a turnover exceeding €1 bn and almost a century of accumulated business experience, we currently employ more than 3,570 people, 111 of them enrolled on work-study programmes, in close to 80 branches in France and 14 in Germany, with a direct presence in the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Senegal, and more than 10,000 customers. Every day, Heppner works to Foster the Enterprising Spirit of its employees, partners, customers and suppliers in all its areas of business.
Nearly a century of entrepreneurial adventure
1925
Jean Schmitt buys a transport company, "Jules Heppner Successeurs", based in Strasbourg.
1931
The first branch is opened, in Kehl, Germany.
Postwar
Business is resumed and the nationwide network is expanded: Paris (1942), Marseille (1946), Nancy (1954), Metz (1956) and Forbach (1959).
After 1965
The network is expanded in Germany, with offices opened in Saarbrücken (1965), Stuttgart and Frankfurt (1969), and Neu-Ulm (1977).
Early 1980s
Acquisition and development of our network with Transports Lesage (1980) and Lambert & Valette (1984).
Early 1990s
Development of the Overseas activity with worldwide coverage.
2004
Acquisition of XP France and our own national distribution network.
2005
Creation of the European parcel network Système Alliance Europe.
2017
Acquisition of Hacas in the Netherlands, Eurobeta in Spain and acceleration of international expansion.
2018
Acquisition of Hamacher Logistik GmbH, located on the border between Northern Germany and the Netherlands.
2019
Partnership with Gebrüder Weiss to accelerate growth in France and Europe in ocean freight, air freight and customs. Branch opened in Senegal.
2020
Publication of the first CSR report, highlighting in particular our energy transition commitments.
2021
International growth: ABC-Logistik in Germany, DINA Logistics in Belgium and SAFRAM in Switzerland, with a new area of expertise, hazardous goods.
Our Raison d'Être
Foster the Enterprising Spirit of our employees, partners, customers and suppliers, and citizens of all generations in all the territories where we operate.
Our Raison d’Être : beyond the business model, our project to contribute to society.
Our Raison d’Être is the link between our historical roots, the strategic vision of our business and, more broadly, the project to be part of a positive-impact corporate project with all our employees and our ecosystem of stakeholders.
For more informationThe company
- €1.029 bn in turnover in 2022
- 72% of sales generated outside France
- 10,000 customers
- 3,570 employees
- 80 branches in France, 14 in Germany, with a direct presence in the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Hungary, the United Kingdom and Senegal
- 157 countries served
Heppner expertise
- 72 million parcels/year
- 16 million overland shipments
- 27,500 tonnes of goods transported by rail/waterway
- 21,500 containers/year by ocean freight
Our values
The enterprising spirit that underpins our values is the common thread running through our actions. For us, it's a way of thinking and acting, a frame of mind that has been part of Heppner's DNA since the very beginning, and a key factor in the Group's economic growth. That's why we've included "Foster Enterprising Spirit" as a raison d'être in our Articles of Association.This enterprising spirit has driven our values from generation to generation :
Loyalty
Faithfully and uprightly represent and defend the interests of all those who have placed their trust in us.
Boldness
Boldly dare to innovate to stand out from the crowd and prepare for the future.
Responsibility
Make decisions and accept responsibility for them at all levels of the company, so that we succeed together.
Commitment
Commit and mobilise to achieve the performance levels agreed with our customers and our teams.
Excellence
Constantly improve and strive for perfection to meet the growing demands of our environment.