CPCS acquires France-based port consultancy 1407

CPCS, an Ottawa-based global management consulting firm specializing in transport, logistics and trade-enabling infrastructure, has acquired France-based port and maritime management firm 1407.

The acquisition expands CPCS’s port and maritime advisory capabilities, strengthening its ability to serve governments, port authorities, terminal operators, shipping lines and logistics stakeholders on trade-enabling infrastructure projects worldwide.

As part of the transaction, 1407 founder and president Matthieu Desiderio and chief executive officer Mathew Paul will join the CPCS Group as global practice leads for port and maritime advisory. Both will also serve as vice-presidents overseeing multimodal transportation activities across continental Europe and the Middle East and North Africa.

“1407 brings depth and real-world industry experience. They know the ports space inside and out. This acquisition fits perfectly with our global work in transportation, rail, major projects, freight, logistics and trade corridors. Together, we’ll help clients run greener, smarter, resilient and more profitable ports and maritime operations,” said CPCS co-chief executive officer Marc-André Roy.

CPCS co-chief executive officer Jean-François Arsenault said the deal reinforces CPCS’s role as an end-to-end transportation advisor.

“Complex projects are by nature interconnected. Logistics and supply chains do not rely on a single mode. The acquisition of 1407 reinforces CPCS’s position as an end-to-end strategic transportation advisor,” Arsenault said. “The additional practical and strategic experience of 1407 in the port and maritime sector will complement our group’s strong freight rail expertise, thus bridging the ‘interface gap’ often faced in complex projects and initiatives.”

Founded in 2016, 1407 is a specialist advisory firm focused on ports, terminals and multimodal logistics systems, with project experience across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.

“I founded 1407 to bring hands-on, operational expertise to port authorities, terminal operators, and maritime and inland waterway stakeholders. By joining CPCS, we are expanding both sides of the equation — enhancing CPCS’s capabilities in our core activities while opening our networks to CPCS’s full spectrum of services,” Desiderio said.

Paul said the acquisition broadens 1407’s reach across transportation sectors.

“By joining CPCS, we significantly expand our ability to help a broader range of clients improve operations across ports and maritime, but also across the full spectrum of transportation sectors,” he said.