Wincanton workers transferred to ND
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By Hayley Pink
MORE THAN 400 Wincanton employees have transferred to Norbert Dentressangle (ND) following the latter’s £100m, five-year contract win with electrical retailer Comet.
ND won the deal after a supply chain review by Comet’s parent group OpCapita, which took over the 241-store retailer earlier this year.
Wincanton, which has worked with Comet for 12 years and was appointed sole logistics provider for national transport and warehousing in April 2011, says it was unable to agree commercial terms with OpCapita and confirmed the contract transferred to ND on 30 April.
A Wincanton spokeswoman says the TUPE transfer of all affected staff went smoothly following a 90-day consultation period. “Inevitably, there was some disappointment and concern about the transfer. We would like to emphasise that this is not a reflection on the professionalism and commitment of our colleagues, who have delivered exceptional service to the Comet business over the past 12 years.” The new contract awarded to ND involves store picking, dispatch and returns management at Comet’s regional distribution centres in Skelmersdale, Lancs, and Harlow, Essex.
The logistics firm will also bulk pick product for trans-shipment into Comet’s network of 12 home-delivery platforms.
Using a dedicated fleet of about 50 tractors and 160, mainly double-deck, trailers, ND will be responsible for all distribution leaving the two RDCs, as well as two further sites in Scotland and the South West, which serve Comet’s retail outlets and homedelivery sites throughout the UK.
It will also manage Comet’s existing collection service, managed by a centralised team in Northampton.