In a recent development, Maersk has signed a new deal with Columbia Sportswear Company, which is a global leader in outdoor, active, and lifestyle products, to go ahead and offer UK warehousing and distribution services when it comes to its Pick & Pack operations in the UK as well as Ireland.
As per the terms of the deal pertaining to UK warehousing and distribution, Maersk is going to take over the UK and Ireland Pick & Pack operation of Columbia from its current multi-customer facility in Tamworth, close to Birmingham, UK. The new arrangement will replace Columbia’s existing distribution setup, which services the market out of Cambrai, France, and will support a more localized and responsive supply chain as far as the UK&I region is concerned.
It is well to be noted that the Tamworth operation is going to serve all sales channels – be it retail or wholesale—as well as e-commerce and also go ahead and support a wide range of product portfolios that include footwear, apparel, and accessories as well as equipment.
According to Senior Vice President and General Manager, Columbia Sportswear EMEA, Matthieu Schegg, “Over the years, we’ve developed a strategic partnership with Maersk, and it is super important for us to partner up with professionals in the field of logistics due to the complex nature of our supply chain. We’ve reached the level of business in the UK where we can now set up a facility dedicated to this market to serve the consumers and the customers faster.”
As per the Chief Operating Officer, Maersk Contract Logistics, Jason Walker, “This agreement reflects the continued momentum in our partnership with Columbia Sportswear and highlights the value of integrated logistics solutions. By moving fulfillment closer to the end market, we can support faster delivery times, improved flexibility, and a more resilient supply chain.”
The operation starts with base volumes of about 1.6 million inbound and outbound units per year. The facility will serve all channels – e commerce, retail as well as wholesale—and will offer a full range of value-added services backed by an inventory of roughly 25,000 SKUs – stock keeping units and adequate space to store inventory across various fulfillment streams. This new Maersk facility is important to support the growing market of Columbia in the UK.
As per a five-year contract, the exclusive space at Maersk’s site in Tamworth will be around 8,000 square meters.
Apart from warehousing and distribution, Maersk will offer Columbia a wider range of logistics & services solutions in the UK, which will include customs handling, inland transportation, and cross-docking, as well as final-mile delivery when it comes to retail and wholesale shipments.
Interestingly, the new agreement strengthens the long-term collaboration between Maersk and Columbia Sportswear, advancing the common ambition of the companies to streamline and enhance global supply chains by means of integrated, holistic logistics solutions.
