Behind every order delivered on time, every innovative solution, and every challenge overcome are dedicated, passionate, and often unassuming people. That’s why we’ve decided to regularly introduce you to the people who keep Sud-Fresh running every day. They are key employees who, each in their own way, embody our values and vision.
To kick off this series, we’re heading to Aubange, where Sud-Fresh puts its logistics expertise to work. And at the helm on site is a familiar face: Laurent Noel, logistics manager.
But who is Laurent, anyway?
Laurent is the father of two children, ages 9 and 14. He is a sports enthusiast, a travel lover, and has an insatiable curiosity about historical and archaeological sites. When he’s not exploring new cultures or lifting weights at the gym, he spends his time on the things that matter most to him: his family, his friends, and his work—surrounded by the people he loves. And as he goes about his daily work in food logistics, he fondly reflects on those simple, heartwarming moments—like a barbecue with friends—that give meaning to his work.
Laurent, logistics manager, joined Sud-Fresh Aubange in March 2024 to manage a brand-new project from start to finish for Scapest, France’s largest retailer. This project, entirely focused on value-added logistics such as order picking, receiving, and shipping, gave him the opportunity to demonstrate the full range of his logistics skills.
What motivates Laurent most of all is his passion for his profession. In a rapidly growing logistics sector, where it can sometimes be difficult to stand out, he immediately seized the opportunity to join a forward-thinking company with innovative projects.
When I met Laurent, I asked him if the daily commute was a burden for him. Laurent lives not far from Charleroi and commutes nearly two hours to work every day. This effort speaks volumes about his motivation. “Logistics can become the only job you want to do once you’ve gotten a taste of it. I had the opportunity to work closer to home because other players in the market approached me. But the certainty that I could launch a great project with Scapest—like the one presented to Sud-Fresh—was the deciding factor,” he replies.
”“One of my fondest memories is meeting my team for the first time; I knew right away that we got along well and that we would work well together.”
According to him, this project was very rewarding and aligned with his professional ambitions. But that’s not what he’s most proud of. For Laurent, the success of this project also lies in the hands of his employees, whom he encourages every day to improve. Communication, understanding, and professionalism within the team are important aspects for him. I’m convinced that listening and trust are the keys to doing good work. I communicate transparently, involve everyone on my team in this project, and make sure I give them all the support they need. It’s important to me that everyone feels valued, motivated, and fully equipped to carry out their mission as well as possible.
At Sud-Fresh, transportation is at the heart of our business, but it’s the people who make our company so special. Beyond the kilometers traveled and the goods delivered, it’s the teams that keep the company running every day. Every employee is treated with respect, listened to, and encouraged to grow. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere creates a great workplace—a real boost to performance and team cohesion.
Finally, Laurent shares with us his most memorable moment from the past year: the very first positive feedback Scapest received. It was a memorable moment, not only for him, but also for the thirteen people on his team who work on this project every day.
It is therefore with a thoroughly positive attitude that Laurent Noel is carrying out this project at Sud-Fresh, ensuring professionalism and a good working relationship at the Aubange facility. His future at Sud-Fresh? He sees it as new challenges he must tackle every day, and this is a long-term goal.
