Electrical retailer Comet has awarded two major contracts to Exel, which will see the 3PL managing a new 41,850sq m regional distribution centre (RDC) in the North-west as well as operating Comet’s entire UK transport network. The two and a half year transport contract began in February.
Comet has also selected Exel to operate its entire mainline, national fleet from Harlow, Corby, Westbury, Golbourne, and Airdrie. Exel will distribute almost all of Comet’s range of goods including televisions, videos, audio equipment and cooking appliances, providing a seven-day service to 250 retail outlets and 15 home delivery hubs.
The second contract lasts for three years with Exel developing and managing the new 41,850sq m RDC in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, which is scheduled to open in July. Exel will be responsible for a range of warehousing services at the RDC which will serve nearly half of all Comet stores and home delivery hubs in the UK.
Steve Pooley, head of supply chain at Comet, says: “This represents the latest phase of our distribution strategy and will provide the additional capacity we require to deliver premier levels of customer service to our customers.”
The two contracts build on a 15-year relationship between Exel and Comet. Exel currently operates two 26,040 sq m white goods RDC’s Golborne in Lancashire and Harlow in Essex and a 26,040sq m national distribution centre for brown goods at Corby in Northamptonshire which also processes Internet and call centre orders for direct home delivery.
