Netherlands-based retailer Albert Heijn and logistics specialist Norbert Dentressangle have announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new, shared, fresh centre.
The two companies have established a long-term partnership to realise a major Shared Fresh Centre (SFC) that will service more than 900 Albert Heijn stores.
This new joint SFC for suppliers and Albert Heijn will be managed by Norbert Dentressangle, centrally located in Nieuwegein with an expected launch date of Q2 2015. Its creation will ensure that a large volume of fresh products find their way to shelves more rapidly and efficiently.
It follows on from last year's announcement by Albert Heijn that it intended to speed up the supply chain for a large number of fresh products, including deli products, cheese, salads, meat, fish, convenience meals, fresh juices and pastries.
In light of growing volumes of fresh stock at the retailer, the supply chain needs to be optimised in order to create opportunities for future growth, and to have these products reach the stores in an even fresher state. For this reason, Albert Heijn decided last year to start working with Shared Fresh Centers (SFCs), to which suppliers can transport their products directly after production.
This reduces the volume of stock points and transportation, and makes it possible to deliver fresh products to stores sooner.
In due course, the new SFCs will replace the current National Fresh Centres in Nieuwegein and Utrecht. Albert Heijn’s employees at the National Fresh Centres have been promised job security and a social plan has been agreed with the unions
“The fresh products department is the pride of our stores,” says Sander van der Laan, CEO of Albert Heijn. “We are pleased to be working with a very experienced logistics service provider. This collaboration will enable us to offer our customers even fresher products in our stores.”
CEO of Norbert Dentressangle, Hervé Montjotin, added: “We are delighted that Albert Heijn has selected us as its fresh logistics partner for the SFC in Nieuwegein. It shows confidence in our strong expertise in both the retail industry sector and temperature-controlled logistics. This agreement is fully in line with our ambition to become a leading supply chain management partner that is able to collaborate with clients on their strategic development.”
