Assembly and transport mission in Bouches-du-Rhône: school kits

School kits in Bouches-du-Rhône: a mission for Viaposte

What are school kits?

In 2017, the Bouches-du-Rhône departmental council, or ‘CD 13’, wanted to do something for the department's pupils. In order to contribute to the back-to-school costs which families face, and in the interests of equality between pupils, all secondary school pupils received a bag containing school supplies. This is now a regular feature of the new school year, benefiting all secondary school pupils in the Provence region.

The kits contain all the items needed to help the pupils succeed at school. For all pupils, the supplies include pens, A4 sheets, a notebook, an eraser and a plastic ruler.

Pupils in Grade 7 also receive additional supplies to support them throughout their years at college: a calculator, coloured pencils, a pencil sharpener, a compass, a square and a protractor.

This year, 108,800 bags will be distributed to the department's 198 colleges.
 

Transport and logistics

The call for logistics partners was made via an invitation to tender. After submitting its bid, Viaposte won the 4-year partnership, which officially began in 2020.

Garry Mallier explains: ‘This involves receiving all the supplies from the various suppliers at our platform in Cavaillon. For example, the supplier for erasers is Maped, and Clairefontaine for exercise books.

Viaposte then assembles the individual bags with the various supplies, distinguishing between bags for Grade 7 pupils and those for other pupils.

Finally, Viaposte takes care of delivery by road and motorway to the 198 secondary schools in the department. Trucks are chartered to leave the Cavaillon site, and then light vehicles cover the last few kilometres to deliver to schools in the towns (Marseille, Arles, Aubagne, etc.).

Logistics and transport by Viaposte: strengths and assets for school kits

Proud of its commitment to the department's pupils, to education and to equal opportunities, Viaposte is making it a point of honour to meet the requirements of this ‘school kits’ operation and to ensure the success of this mission.

Challenges to be met

The mission began in September 2020, at a time when the whole world was struggling to emerge from the Covid crisis. As the years went by, the various orders were increasingly anticipated, and by 2024, Viaposte was well ahead of schedule, delivering to 29% of secondary schools even before they closed for the summer. The remaining 71% were delivered to starting from Monday 19 August.

The Viaposte advantage

When we asked Garry Mallier about Viaposte's strengths, he replied: ‘We make it possible! Viaposte's motto comes to life here, as we always try to find a solution for every problem our customers encounter. Last year, for example, there was a problem with the delivery of the bags. To ensure that everything was ready for the start of the new school year, Viaposte decided to take charge of the transport, collecting the bags and storing them in its own warehouses.’

Garry Mallier also emphasised the values shared by Viaposte and CD 13. This autumn, for example, school kits are being distributed to Maisons Familiales et Rurales [Rural and Family Centres]. Viaposte's transport partner has also decided to provide free transport to the classrooms of the Timone Hospital in Marseille, because it feels moved by the plight of children in hospital.

All the secondary schools in the department will therefore receive their school kits, from metropolitan Marseille to the small villages of Provence. It's a task involving logistics and transport, and one to which Viaposte is committed.

A story to illustrate this enthusiastic participation? ‘Viaposte recruits students for the logistical tasks involved in this mission, which takes place in the summer. Viaposte employees often invite their young family members to apply! It's the kind of family involvement that's so important to Viaposte!’

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