Supply Chain Analysis news

Fourth quarter results round off a positive year for Unilever with operating margin at 13.8% on a turnover of EUR 51.3bn. A number of supply chain projects implemented last year, have helped boost the manufacturer’s performance. Full year performance Unilever delivered growth in all of its categories which led to turnover increasing by 10.5% to EUR51.3bn. The company’s performance in e...

The French yoghurt manufacturer, Yoplait, has agreed to extend its contract with logistics company, NFT, according to press reports. Current operation General Mills owned Yoplait currently uses NFT's storage and distribution solution to serve UK retailers. Operated from a site in Daventry, NFT packs and boxes products to meet UK requirements before delivering to customers within 24 hours o...

Asda is close to completing its regional transport project that has significantly improved supply chain visibility according to press reports. New transport solution Asda has implemented Paragon TTS, an off the shelf solution that has been tailored to the retailers needs. The retailer will combine the routing, scheduling and resource optimisation that comes with Paragon TTS with Isotrak’...

RFID (Radio-frequency identification) is to be extended to all M&S' retail departments including clothing and home products according to press reports. RFID extension M&S has strengthened its relationship with packaging supplier, Avery Dennison, with its decision to extend its RFID tagging programme. The extension is expected to be complete by spring 2014 and will be in use across all re...

ICA Norway has formed a collaborative partnership with fellow retailer Norgesgruppen to share sourcing and distribution operations within the country. Operational efficiency The agreement between ICA Norway and Norgesgruppen’s wholesale arm, Asko, will lead to the sharing of distribution and logistics activities, helping to drive operational efficiency. The agreement comes into effect o...

As part of Walmart’s three part plan to help jump start the US economy the retailer has pledged to source an extra $50bn of US merchandise. Domestic sourcing Walmart’s initiative to support US manufacturing will be driven by increasing the volume of products it already buys from the US in categories such as sporting goods, storage products and paper products. Additionally the retailer wil...

Sales operations director for Unilever Benelux, Vincent Carton, is leaving the company to join ECR Europe as managing director. New appointment Vincent Carton, who has been with Unilever for 14 years, joins ECR Europe in the position of managing director. At Unilever Carton moved through a variety of roles starting in brand management and account management before moving up into sales dir...

Waitrose is re-structuring its distribution centre (DC) network and will exit its Bardon DC, according to press reports. Exit later this year Waitrose will exit the Leicestershire based operation later this year after deciding not to renew its contract with Kuehne + Nagel. The contract was due to expire on 31 May 2013 but has been extended to 1 September 2013. This will mark the end of ...

Bankrupt online service provider, Eye’at, has been bought by Leclerc. Developing health and beauty distribution The EUR300,000 acquisition of Eye’at will enable Leclerc to draw on the service provider’s expertise in lens and drug distribution. The service provider used to manage the online operations of contact lens maker Candelens and pharmacy Santessima. Leclerc will take advantage of this ...

Packaging company, Meadwestvaco (WMV), has announced the launch of a new security solution which aims to prevent theft throughout the supply chain. WiFi enabled locks MWV’s new solution is a disposable lock which utilises wireless technology. When placed on products it renders them useless until deactivated at the point of sale following payment. This will benefit luxury branded goods s...