Transports Capelle Powers Through Market Headwinds

Transports Capelle, a first-time exhibitor at Breakbulk Europe, is a leader in exceptional and conventional transport, with a presence across eight European countries and a fleet including more than 1,200 tractors and 2,500 versatile trailers. We caught up with Romain Le Guen, Capelle’s communications and marketing director, to find out more the state of Europe’s heavy-lift sector and the company’s plans for future growth.

Q: How would you describe the current state of the heavy-lift transport market in Europe? Are there any particular trends or challenges you’re seeing across the continent?

Le Guen: The heavy transport sector in Europe is continuously facing challenges that significantly impact how we operate. The components we move are becoming increasingly large, regulations are tightening, and both local and international policies are having a stronger impact.

To overcome these challenges, we must work closely with both domestic and international clients to develop tailored multimodal, cross-border solutions. This includes optimizing road transport flows through route planning, deploying innovative technical approaches such as 2D/3D transport studies combined with route surveys, and mastering the regulatory environment in each country to design the most efficient routes for our customers.

Q: Which sectors are currently generating the most demand for your services?

Le Guen: We operate across a wide range of industries. Energy – especially wind power and transformers – generates significant demand. The construction sector, with rolling machinery and equipment, is also very active. And the broader industrial sector presents many opportunities, often involving complex technical challenges.

Q: Has the regulatory landscape in Europe changed in recent years, and how is Transports Capelle adapting to these changes?

Le Guen: Regulations are becoming stricter, and local and international policies increasingly influence our operations. For an international company like ours, it’s crucial to anticipate and manage convoy permits, adapt to route-specific constraints, and develop efficient multimodal networks, including river and maritime transport. We’ve restructured our teams to meet these evolving requirements.

Q: Can you share any plans for future growth – whether through fleet expansion, entering new markets, or strategic partnerships?

Le Guen: We are making targeted investments in versatile equipment that can handle conventional transport, exceptional loads, and even modular configurations like K25 lines. This year, we’re opening a new branch in Lisbon, Portugal. We’re also planning to strengthen our presence in the UK and maybe in Spain, with Germany representing a medium-term development goal.

Q: Transports Capelle is exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe for the first time this year. What do you hope to achieve at the event, and what conversations are you looking forward to having?

Le Guen: Through our participation, we aim to highlight our international reach – eight countries, 45 branches, and over 3,000 transport resources – and showcase our expertise in heavy and oversized road transport. We represent all the brands of the Capelle Group: Transports Capelle, Augizeau TE, Van Egdom, and DeLange. This unified presence allows us to deliver a strong, consistent offer tailored to the specific needs of our European clients.

We look forward to connecting with new partners – carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers – across land, sea, and air transport. With our network and capabilities, we are a key player at the European level. We’re here to make it known – and above all, to prove that you can count on us. Come and discover your future partner in oversized and heavy haulage!

Breakbulk Europe 2025 is happening on 13-15 May at Rotterdam Ahoy. Meet the Transports Capelle team at Stand 2E84-F85.