Europe has one of the most sophisticated networks of groupage services anywhere in the world. Even the recession has not reduced the appetite of new players to enter the market.
The freight forwarding and haulage industries provide the market with an impressive choice of groupage services between all the main commercial centres of Europe. In many cases three tier services are on offer ranging from express overnight delivery, 48 hour delivery and economy delivery for customers where price is the overriding factor.
The type of players operating the services also reflects the structure of the industry. Multi-national companies have put together vast networks in every European country based on both organic growth and the acquisition of other businesses. At the other end of the scale are operators specializing in either niche markets or niche commodities where personal service and knowledge of a customer's individual requirements are paramount.
Road freight is the predominant means of transport for European groupage services. The flexibility of the road vehicle to effect door to door distribution has resulted in the elimination of rail from this particular market although environmental considerations are leading to a revival for the depot-depot haul. The construction of the Channel Tunnel has also meant that many groupage operations carried out by air have know switched to road transport.
To ensure a level regulatory playing field for both customers and operators all European groupage transport is conducted in accordance with the CMR Convention which sets out the rights and liabilities of all parties. This Convention was introduced in the 1960's but its text, together with many court judgments relating to specific cases, means that it continues to be relevant in today's market place.
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