Exel extends its relationship with Carrefour with a new operation in France
Exel, the world leader in supply chain management, has today announced an extension of its business with Carrefour, one of the world’s leading retailers. The new dedicated operation at Beziers in South West France, will provide warehousing and distribution services for Carrefour’s fresh products, and will add to the already extensive services that Exel provides for the retailer in Belgium, Spain and, most recently, South Korea.
The new build site, which was project managed by Exel, became operational at the beginning of November 2002. The multi-temperature facility will provide chilled and ambient storage, processing and distribution of fresh products, including: flowers, plants, pastry products, fruit and vegetables, meat and seafood for 15 Carrefour hypermarkets, managing an annual volume of 14,500 million cases.
In addition to fresh produce, Exel also manages the processing of primary and secondary packaging. The new site employs over one hundred people, all of whom were recruited and trained by Exel. It is a 24-hour, six days per week operation, which runs on Carrefour’s Logistar Warehouse Management System.
Commenting on this new venture, Carrefour France remarked: “Carrefour was looking for a partner with a strong understanding of retail distribution in a developed European market. Exel was able to demonstrate both a strong track record in this area as well as a good understanding of our business and supply chain needs.”
Alain Ripoche, Exel’s Commercial Director in France, commenting on this latest win, highlighted the importance of the contract as part of Exel’s overall relationship with Carrefour throughout the world: “The new contract strengthens our longstanding relationship with Carrefour by providing essential supply chain support in one of Europe’s largest retail markets. We look forward to building on this success by extending our services to support Carrefour’s expansion in France, as well as other new markets around the world.”
