GEODIS REPORTS LOW GROWTH FOR 2001

GEODIS REPORTS LOW GROWTH FOR 2001    Geodis, the large French trucking and forwarding group, reported a 2.4-percent rise in group consolidated net sales for 2001, to 3.5 billion euro ($3 billion), despite a fall in sales in its home market.
   Sales in France dropped by 5.2 percent last year, to 2.4 billion euro ($2 billion). By contrast, sales in Europe except France, and outside Europe, increased last year.
   On a comparable basis, fourth quarter net sales were down 6.8 percent compared to the same period in 2000, Geodis said. In Europe, Geodis is closing down its U.K.-based subsidiary United Carriers.
   “The world economy permitting and on a constant group structure, Geodis forecasts a slight increase in business in 2002,” the group said. The group has not yet released its profit results for 2001.