Norbert Dentressangle wins major new logistics contract with ASOS

JOC Staff |
• New, £100 million+, three year logistics contract with global on-line fashion retailer ASOS
• Appointed to manage ASOS’ global e-fulfilment centre in Barnsley, which provides more than 1.1 million sq ft of floor space and employs over 1,200 people
• Recognising Norbert Dentressangle’s proven e-commerce expertise
• Further reinforcing Norbert Dentressangle’s position as one of the UK’s leading logistics and transport providers.
In one of Europe’s largest logistics deals, global on-line fashion retailer, ASOS, has awarded a three-year contract for the management of its worldwide distribution centre to Norbert Dentressangle.
ASOS offers over 60,000 branded and own label product lines across womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewellery and beauty, with approximately 1,500 new product lines being introduced each week. With 6.5 million active users, ASOS.com is the world’s most visited fashion web site, per day, by 18-34 year olds, and ships to customers in 241 countries and territories from the global distribution centre in Barnsley. In the three months to the end of May 2013, ASOS achieved sales of £194 million – a 45% increase on 2012.
The new contract recognises Norbert Dentressangle’s proven online and multi-channel retail experience and capabilities, along with its ability to support ASOS’ continued, exponential growth on a global basis.
Norbert Dentressangle took over responsibility for the management of ASOS’ global fulfilment centre during August. At the heart of ASOS’ distribution operations, the Barnsley warehouse currently provides more than 1.1 million sq ft of floor space and is the size of six football pitches. To support its continued growth and expansion, ASOS has also submitted a proposal to extend the facility by 25%, effectively doubling storage capacity at the site.
Under the new contract, all 1,200 staff employed by ASOS’ former service provider, Unipart Logistics, were offered the opportunity to transfer to Norbert Dentressangle.
Mark Holland, ASOS’ Supply Chain Director said: “The partnership with Norbert Dentressangle will 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.
“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 that this new contract marks the beginning of a long-term, strategic partnership between our two companies.”
ASOS joins Norbert Dentressangle’s growing roster of major online and multi-channel retailer customers, which also includes House of Fraser, Marks & Spencer, Shop Direct Group and Surfdome.
For more information about Norbert Dentressangle’s services, visit www.norbert-dentressangle.com or email info@norbert-dentressangle.com
Notes to Editors:
About Norbert Dentressangle
Norbert Dentressangle is an international transport, logistics and freight forwarding company, with annual turnover of €3.9 billion in 2012. Norbert Dentressangle develops high added value solutions in its three sectors, across Europe, America and Asia, and places sustainable development at the heart of all its activities. It is established in 26 countries, employs 32,500 people and generates 59% of its turnover outside France. Norbert Dentressangle, which is listed on the CAC Small et CAC All Tradable, is headed by Hervé Montjotin.
NYSE Euronext Paris (Category B)/NYSE Euronext London, GND, Code: ISIN FR0000052870
About ASOS
ASOS is a global online fashion and beauty retailer selling over 60,000 branded and own label products to fashion forward twenty-somethings through our website asos.com. We ship, for free, to 241 countries and territories from our 1.1m sq ft global distribution centre in the UK.
We tailor the mix of own label, global and local brands sold through each of our eight local language websites: UK, USA, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Australia and Russia; with 65% of our sales now coming from outside the UK.
ASOS.com attracts 23.2 million unique visitors a month has 12.1 million registered users* and 6.5 million active customers**. We connect with our customers across a wide range of social media channels including our 2.4m Facebook, 500k Twitter and 2m Google+ followers.