Stef
Expertise
HR
Industry
Logistics
Introduction
STEF, Europe’s leader in temperature-controlled transport and logistics, has long placed employee safety and operational efficiency at the heart of its strategy. In an industry where workplace accidents and long-term absences can disrupt performance, the Group partnered with Ayming to strengthen its occupational risk management. This collaboration has helped STEF reduce accidents, optimize the cost of work stoppages, and reinforce a culture of prevention across its logistics and transport operations.
The Challenge
STEF, Europe’s leader in temperature-controlled transport and logistics, operates in a sector historically marked by high workplace accident rates. Despite a strong prevention policy, the company faced challenges with:
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Managing long-term sick leave,
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Understanding disability rates, and
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Optimizing the financial impact of workplace absences.
In 2019, STEF wanted to go further by creating a Work Stoppage Management Program (PAT) to both reduce the cost of absences and strengthen employee support and prevention.
The Approach
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Built on a long-standing partnership (since the early 2000s) focused on Occupational Risk Management (MRP).
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Launched a pilot PAT program in the GMS business unit, combining prevention with cost optimization.
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Deployed structured support through:
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Analysis of questionable work stoppages,
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Maintaining contact with employees during absences,
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Designing tailored reintegration processes,
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Reducing financial costs linked to work stoppages.
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Added a third mission: managing Third-Party Liability Accidents (AFAAT) across France, recovering costs when another party was responsible.
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Ensured close monitoring and ROI visibility via regular exchanges and an annual steering committee to adjust actions continuously.
Key Figures
reduction in workplace accident frequency in 5 years
dedicated program (PAT) delivering both cost optimization and employee reintegration
years of partnership with Ayming on occupational risk management
The Impact
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Accident frequency reduced by half in five years, with the downward trend maintained.
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Significant financial savings through optimized absence and accident management.
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Improved prevention culture and better reintegration of employees after absences.
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A structured, transparent partnership delivering long-term value and recognized internally by HR leadership as a best practice.
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According to Benoît Havez, HR Director of STEF GMS:
“The relationship with Ayming is structured and effective… This close monitoring gives us real visibility and encourages us to continue the mission.”
About STEF
STEF is the European leader in temperature-controlled transport and logistics. A key player in the food supply chain for over 100 years, the group now operates in eight countries with one core mission: to guarantee food supplies for millions of Europeans.
By 2025, the Group plans to generate more than half of its revenue outside France, with a team of over 20,000 employees.
