Asos has appointed a new logistics provider as it looks to further global expansion.
The fashion pureplay has awarded Norbert Dentressangle a three-year contract worth some £100m to manage its global, 1.1m sq ft e-fulfilment warehouse in Barnsley. More than 1,200 people work from the warehouse, handling deliveries of a product range that stretches above 60,000 lines, both branded and own-label.
Norbert Dentressangle took over running of the centre in August from Unipart Logistics.
Asos currently ships to customers in 241 countries and territories from the distribution centre. It launched a new website for the Russian market in May and is soon to launch an edited site for the Chinese market.
In April Asos said it had won permission to extend its Barnsley warehouse by 25%, giving it the capacity it needs in order to meet its sales target of £1bn by 2015. The move, it now adds, will effectively double storage capacity at the site.
Mark Holland, Asos’ supply chain director, said the new logistics contract would “continue to drive the Asos global service proposition, creating an efficient customer-focused experience and supporting our mission to become the world’s number one online destination for young fashion.”
Martin Palmer, Norbert Dentressangle’s business development director, said: “We have a proven track record in taking on and improving complex, high volume e-fulfilment operations and look forward to working with Asos to introduce new strategies and solutions to support continued volume growth and geographical expansion.”
The 1,200 warehouse staff have been offered the chance to transfer to Norbert Dentressangle.
Palmer said: “Our experience in successful major TUPE transfers also comes into play and we have worked closely with all parties to ensure a smooth transition, both for Asos and those working on the contract. Both we and Asos operate on an increasingly global basis and we are confident this new contract marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between our two companies.”
Norbert Dentressangle also counts online and multichannel retailers including House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Shop Direct Group and Surfdome among its customers.
