Following the death of Open Modal’s founder, Jean-Claude Brunier, earlier this year, two of his children have taken the helm at the French group whose activities span the entire combined transport chain. Antonin and Clémence Brunier have taken up the posts of chairman and CEO respectively. Both have worked at the group for a number of years, holding various positions. Their sibling, Jeanne Brunier, is Open Modal’s director of Development.
In an interview with French media, she revealed that the group’s annual turnover was expected to reach around 145 million euros this year compared to 135 million euros in 2024. Open Modal employs just over 350 staff. “We are emerging from a rather complex period but are forecasting positive (financial) results after several difficult years. We remain vigilant in the face of challenging market conditions.”
Brunier also noted the “considerable uncertainty” caused by political instability in France. “Without visibility with regard to the state budget, it is difficult for us to plan ahead as a company. With the government looking to make savings, there is a real question mark as to how it will be able to maintain its support for the sector. The quality of the rail network remains an issue too.”
New state-of-the-art terminal
Nevertheless, combined transport is gaining momentum in France with new operators and shippers entering the market, she added. The groups short-term focus is on increasing services between eastern and northern France – Nancy, Lille and Paris-Bonneuil – and the south-east of the country, by early 2026.
It follows the opening in April last year of the Terminal Ouest Provence, a multi-user, state-of-the-art intermodal terminal for swap bodies and containers in Miramas, on the outskirts of Marseille. “We are now in a position to comfortably handle an increased volume of traffic at the terminal.”
International expansion
Open Modal is also planning to consolidate its Italian route which resumed in the spring when the railway line re-opened (following its closure for a period of 19 months due to a major rockfall, Brunier explained. But the ramp-up, with an increase in round trips, has been hampered by a few unforeseen challenges related to weather conditions on the line.
International expansion also focuses on forging a strategic partnership in Eastern Europe. Open Modal, is understood to be in exclusive negotiations with SNCF Réseau to acquire and modernise an existing road-rail combined transport terminal located at Fenouillet, in proximity to Toulouse. The group’s activities span the entire combined transport chain, through several subsidiary companies: TAB Rail Road (road haulage), T3M (combined transport operator), BTM (multimodal terminal operator) and rail company Combirail.