Marks & Spencer recently awarded the management of its China Hub operation to Damco.
Around five million items a year from vendors all over South East Asia are sent to M&S international stores, including franchises and joint ventures.
The hub, previously located in Hong Kong, was moved to Mainland China to better support the growth of the retail business in China and to take advantage of cost and space efficiencies. Diverting cargo away from the UK network and more directly through the international hubs is strongly in line with M&S’ high-profile sustainability programme: Plan A. In moving the hub, and awarding the business to Damco, productivity gains have already been identified and implemented, with record high shipments to stores in April.
Richard Morgan, Chief Commercial Officer in Damco UK and Ireland says: “We were delighted to win the tender to create and manage this International Hub for Marks & Spencer. Their international business is a key growth area for Marks and Spencer and this hub operation will provide them with a strong supply chain platform to support that growth along with a competitive supply cost. To win this business on top of our existing Asia – UK Supply Chain Management contract with Marks & Spencer is a fantastic indicator of how well our two companies have been working together.”
About Damco
Damco is one of the world’s leading third party logistics providers specialising in customised freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, offering a broad range of services to customers all over the world. The company has 10,500 employees in over 280 offices across 90 countries and representation in 120 countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, Middle East, and Latin America. In 2010, the company had a net turnover of over USD 2.7 billion, managed more than 2.4 million TEU of ocean freight and supply chain management volumes and air freighted more than 75,000 tons.
Damco is an independent business unit within the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group.
