Our group

Groupe CAT:
Automotive Logistics across Europe

Since 1957, Groupe CAT has been moving vehicles and cargo across Europe. The company, Compagnie d'Affrètement et de Transport, is today the European leader in finished vehicle logistics and spare parts distribution, and a major player in multimodal transport. Below are the details of the governance and the milestones behind that network.

Groupe CAT Governance

We Are Groupe CAT

History

The History of Groupe CAT: Almost 70 Years of Expertise in Automotive Logistics

2010 – Today
Consolidation and European Leadership

Groupe CAT intensified its acquisition strategy to control the entire value chain, from road transport to short-sea shipping.

2025: Acquisition of SEMAT (Spain), strengthening technical expertise in remarketing and expanding operational capacity in the European market.
2024: Opening of the Killingholme terminal (UK), which has become the largest operational port in the network, optimising flows between the United Kingdom and the continent.
2017: Acquisition of Sintax, the remaining 50% of CVT, and finally STVA.
2016: Acquisition of WWL Germany with its own fleet, notably the Hakenstedt, Zülpich and Aligse centres.
2013: Acquisition of 50% of CVT, first owned fleet in the UK.
2012: Acquisition of Toquero, developing owned centres and fleet in Spain.
2010: Acquisition of Trial and of Groupe CAT’s first owned trucks.

2025 – Acquisition of SEMAT
2024 – Opening of Killingholme terminal (UK)
2016 – Acquisition of WWL Germany and its fleet

2000 – 2009
Independence and Client Diversification

The turn of the millennium marked a strategic shift with the acquisition of the group by an international consortium.

2009: Groupe CAT became 100% owned by TCL.
2001: Groupe CAT became an independent company.

1980 – 1999
The conquest of Europe

Over two decades, Groupe CAT accelerated its geographical and technical expansion, opening to new markets and transport modes.

Eastern Europe: From 1994 onwards, the group anticipated logistics needs in Central Europe with subsidiaries in Poland and Slovenia.
European Expansion: Successive establishments in Germany (1982), Italy (1984), Great Britain (1987), and Portugal (1990)

1985 – Cargo operations expand at Gennevilliers, France.
1993 – Renault launched the Twingo. Groupe CAT has been handling the manufacturer’s logistics for over 30 years.

1957 – 1979
Origins and Expansion of Services

The journey began on September 4, 1957, when Renault founded CAT to export the famous 4CV to North America, quickly becoming the logistical arm of the French manufacturer.

1974: Launch of spare parts logistics through the TED subsidiary (now Cargo Logistics).
1970: Start of international expansion with the creation of CAT Belgium.
1967: Diversification into vehicle storage and preparation with the Gennevilliers compound.
1963: Opening of the first shipping centres at strategic plants (Flins, Sandouville, Le Mans).

1957 – organisation and coordination of the sea transport of the Renault 4CV prototype sent to the United States.
1959 – Groupe CAT transports Renault Dauphine cars by freight train to the port of Le Havre.
Transport of the Renault Dauphine model by roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel.
1959 – CAT delivers the Renault Dauphine cars to the port of Toronto, Canada.
1973 – Yellow and black CAT convoy loaded with restyled Renault 6 models.
1974 – Launch of spare parts logistics through the TED subsidiary (now Cargo Logistics).
1978 – CAT transports Renault's UK vehicle lineup.