The people behind the process: Carole Ploux

How a tailor-made refrigerated service supported customer growth and market innovation. 

At Hillebrand Gori, innovation often starts with listening. When our customers identify new market opportunities, we work together to create the services they need to grow. That’s exactly what Carole Ploux, Trade Lane Manager in France, did when she supported Madame Saké, a brand of Saulnier Blache Consultants, to bring premium Japanese saké to Europe.

The challenge: growing demand for premium saké in Europe

Saké has been steadily gaining attention among European consumers, with restaurants, importers and distributors seeking authentic, high-quality products. Madame Saké, founded by Adrienne Saulnier Blache, sources traditional saké from small family breweries across Japan. To meet the growing demand, they needed a way to move small, regular volumes under strict temperature control, while navigating complex customs requirements.

The solution: a refrigerated LCL service between France and Japan

Carole and her team recognised that this wasn’t a standard trade lane challenge, it was an opportunity to create something new. Working closely with the customer, they developed a tailor-made refrigerated LCL (Less than Container Load) service between France and Japan, supported by refrigerated storage in Paris and customs clearance expertise.

This flexible model allows importers like Madame Saké to: Ship small quantities regularly in temperature-controlled conditions Store beverages safely and efficiently Rely on professional customs guidance and document handling

The result: a scalable solution for an emerging market

Thanks to this collaboration, Madame Saké and other importers alike, can continue to grow their brand and reach new audiences across Europe, while maintaining product quality and compliance. What started as one customer’s ambition has now become a proven solution for others looking to explore this growing category.

Talk to one of our people working behind the process

At Hillebrand Gori, we go beyond transportation. We listen, collaborate and develop logistics solutions that make growth easy for wine, beer and spirits importers around the world. With experts like Carole Ploux, we help turn customer opportunities into new services that move the industry forward.