TNT Express has announced plans to sell the Dutch unit of its fashion logistics business by theend of 2013 as part of its Deliver! strategy to align its business portfolio.
A company spokesperson told CEP-Research: “TNT Fashion is a leading player in the fashionlogistics market. It is a solid and profitable business, with a good customer portfolio, attractiveassets and skilled employees. Nonetheless, TNT Fashion’s wide range of logistics services doesn’tfit with TNT Express’ strategic focus. We need to prioritise investments and manage attentiontowards our core delivery services infrastructure.”
Headquartered in Oldenzaal, in the Dutch province of Overijssel, TNT Fashion Group BV is theDutch market leader in fashion, retail and lifestyle supply chain management employing 660 staff.It offers a wide range of services including storage, packing/repacking, distribution and retailingservices focusing mostly on large-volume accounts and high-end designer labels.
“The possible sale of the Dutch operations of TNT Fashion will be designed to ensure servicecontinuity. The sale process will not affect the terms and conditions of existing agreements withcustomers and suppliers. We are absolutely committed to providing excellent service to thecustomers of both businesses throughout the process,” the spokesperson added.
TNT Express will continue to offer delivery services to the fashion and lifestyle industry whichis one of the fastest-growing industry segments for the company.
As already announced on July 29, TNT Fashion’s activities in the UK, including 329 staff, willbe integrated with TNT Express UK & Ireland operations to capture the synergies between the twobusinesses. TNT Fashion also employs 30 people in Asia.
The possible sale is in line with the company’s plans to increase revenues by 2% and theoperating profit margin by about 8% in Europe by 2015 with the focus on getting the costs downduring the second half of this year and in 2014.
