Supply Chain Analysis news

Norbert Dentressangle has reported an increase in sales and profitability on the back of international expansion through acquisitions. Positive results Norbert Dentressangle announced that its turnover increased by 8.5% to €3.9bn while net income improved by 18% to €74.7m in 2012. Organic growth remained stable throughout the period with growth coming from its acquisitions. Notable ac...

UK based fixed price discount retailer, Poundland, has announced plans for a new distribution centre (DC) in Harlow to serve the south-east, according to press reports. £40m investment Poundland will invest £40m to redevelop the former Pitney Bowes and GlaxoSmithKline sites in Harlow. Construction will begin on the 32,500 sqm facility once planning permission has been approved. The re...

Road haulage firms will be subject to new taxes introduced by the French and UK governments. Eco-tax on French trucks Starting on 01 October 2013, French transport companies are to be taxed for road usage within France. The tax will be a percentage of the cost of transport – added to all transport invoices. The tax will vary by region however there will be a flat rate of 4% for transp...

Leclerc has signed an agreement with automation company, Witron, to provide automation for a new distribution centre (DC) in Chalons-en-Champagne, France. Further automation for Leclerc This new development for Leclerc’s regional buying company, Scapest, demonstrates the retailer’s growing appetite to utilise automation within warehouse operations. Towards the end of 2012 Scapalsace also s...

German ERP software company, SAP, has acquired SmartOps. SmartOps specialises in inventory and service-level information software. Integrating technology SAP intends to add SmartOps inventory optimisation capability to its S&OP product, SAP HANA, in order to develop a ‘real-time supply chain’ solution. SAP’s head of customer engagement and strategic projects, Abdul Razack, said: “With th...

Brewer, SABMiller, is to invest in a new malting plant in South Africa in order to decrease exposure to volatile international markets and support the local economy. New facility To process the increased quantity of barley it intends to source from South Africa, SABMiller, the second largest brewer in the world by volume, is constructing a new plant in Alrode, Guateng. The new facility wil...

Asda is investing £70m on a new multi-temperature distribution centre (DC) in Bristol, UK, according to press reports. Replacing depot in Portbury Asda’s new facility is to be comprised of 45,000 sqm of chilled and frozen space and a 12,000 sqm service centre. It will serve 123 stores in the southwest and replace the retailer’s depot in Portbury. It is scheduled to open later this year an...

DHL has implemented fleet performance and journey management technology to support its operational contract with UK symbol group, Nisa. Improving customer service The solution has been rolled out for its fleet of 279 vehicles which are used across four depots in the UK for its Nisa contract. It will integrate with Nisa’s delivery schedules and provide detailed customer service information....

Tesco is to close three and open two distribution centres (DCs) following a network review. The retailer will close DCs in Weybridge, Harlow and Chesterfield, according to press reports. Network reorganisation Tesco is to reduce the number of DCs it uses to serve the UK. Two new DCs will be built in Reading and Dagenham while three will close in Weybridge, Harlow and Chesterfield. ...

Following a year of focus on availability and distribution centre efficiencies, Walmart has reported an improvement on operating income and sales. For the year to January 31, 2013, the retailer has achieved consolidated net sales growth of 5.0% to $466.1bn. Costs rise slower than sales Walmart’s results enabled it to make progress on its five year plan to reduce operating expenses by 100 b...