Salvesen, Venda and Parcelforce in mega-fulfilment partnership
Christian Salvesen, not hitherto a significant player in the home shopping and e-fulfilment market, has joined forces with solutions house Venda to set up a one-stop shop multi-channel logistics service. A third main player in the operation is Parcelforce Worldwide, which has been appointed by Salvesen to handle most of the actual deliveries.
The move is seen by some as marking an important stage in the evolution of multi-channel fulfilment, demonstrating that this is a sector the traditional logistics market now takes seriously.
Initially the service is expected to operate out of Salvesen’s Buxton warehouse, but managing director Stewart Oades says that in theory it can take advantage of any of the company’s 200-odd UK bases.
Explaining the rationale behind the company’s move into this sector, Oades says: ‘Not to be taking a step like this would leave a gap in our portfolio that I’d be unhappy with.’ He points out that major retailers – companies with which Salvesen already has a supplier relationship – are increasingly moving into the multi-channel sector, and Salvesen wants to be able to grow with them.
‘Such companies have realised that they simply have to take the multi-channel sector seriously,’ he says. ‘But existing fulfilment services have sometimes creaked under the strain. The kind of companies we work with want the reassurance of working with suppliers offering value, efficiency and global reach.’
Having only recently rejoined Salvesen after a long absence, Oades acknowledges that the new service was developed before his arrival, but at the launch he emphasised that it had his full support. ‘I’ve been very encouraged by the willingness of the three companies to work together,’ he said. ‘It’s a highly scaleable operation.’
Venda, the brainchild of dotcom entrepreneur Dan Wagner, has built up an enviable client list for its web and e-commerce portfolio, including names such as Austin Reed, BT, Granada Learning, Mothercare, Virgin Megastore and Wickes. Its technology will integrate with Salvesen’s to provide users with full stock visibility, tracking and reporting throughout the fulfilment process.
The companies are working together in a loose ‘partnership’ arrangement, not under a formal joint venture, and there is initially no specific branding for the service. No customers were named at the launch, but negotiations with several were said to be well advanced – mostly from amongst Salvesen’s existing client base.
