The French Modalis Group is rebranding to MODAL Group. The identity change reflects the Group’s widening spectrum of service offerings as it moves towards a more integrated model, which includes its own new rail business.
Modalis offers intermodal equipment rental and trading, as well as consultancy services. Over time, the Group’s portfolio has grown beyond these services, prompting the rebranding. Its stated objective is to support clients and partners in the freight transport energy transition, incentivise the adoption of multimodal solutions and massively reduce carbon emissions on a global scale.
To that end, MODAL Group announced that it had completed several major projects to enhance its scope of expertise, the Group says. For example, it has launched MODALIS Intermodal in the United Kingdom for intermodal equipment leasing. It also established Air Flow Shanghai Logistics, which specialises in air gas intermodal logistics.
MODAL Group also acquired SOMAP Technologies F13. This company specialises in the maintenance, inspection and reconditioning of pressurised equipment, such as cylinders and containers for industrial and cryogenic gases.
MODAL Group at a glance, according to the company itself:
- 250 employees representing 27 nationalities across 8 countries
- One of the market’s most diverse leasing equipment fleets:
- 7,000 TEUs (transport units)
- 2,000 intermodal wagon platforms
- Turnover exceeding €100 million in 2025
- Specialises in managing large-scale, complex logistics projects in France and internationally
A new rail business – TRAIX
If that was not enough yet, the Group is also launching its own rail traction company that will go by the name TRAIX. It is scheduled to start operating in 2026 to offer “a smoother, integrated rail transport solution.”
Lastly, says MODAL Group, it is strengthening its presence in the French region Lorraine through subsidiary Terminaux Multimodaux. It has won the contract to manage logistics at five ports in the area on behalf of Voies Navigables de France (VNF), alongside its partners Rhenus Logistics, Dunkerque Port and MGE.
MODAL Group underlines that it has set course towards an integrated business approach. It wants its service to cover the entire freight journey: engineering, intermodal terminals, intermodal transport units, future energy logistics, maintenance and rail traction.
These steps are accompanied by the establishment of a Board of Directors, consisting of Bernard Meï, Group Chairman and Founder, Pierre Fiat, Air Flow Managing Director and four external directors: Sylvie Perrin (De Gaulle Fleurance), Bob Fast (former TIP Chairman), Simon Hamilton (Chetwode) and Daniel Chapiro (GL Events). This should bring the needed expertise to enable secure structural investments, external growth operations and international development.