Norbert Dentressangle wins Comet logistics contract

Norbert Dentressangle (ND) has won a £100m, five-year deal with electrical retailer Comet to handle its UK warehousing and distribution.

The contract involves ND managing store picking, dispatch and returns management at Comet’s RDCs in Skelmersdale, Lancs and Harlow, Essex. It will also bulk pick product for trans-shipment into Comet’s network of 12 home-delivery platforms.

Using a dedicated fleet of around 50 tractors and 160, mainly double-deck, trailers, ND will be responsible for all distribution leaving the two RDCs, as well as two further sites in Scotland and the South-West, which serve Comet’s 241-strong store network and home delivery sites throughout the UK. It will also manage Comet’s existing collection service, managed by a centralised team based in Northampton.

ND says the complete operation will employ a core staff of more than 400 employees.

Simon Rigby, Comet supply chain director, says: "We are very much looking forward to working with Norbert Dentressangle, who we recognise as a strong partner, being able to support us not only with our day to day operations but also with their overall strategic thinking and planning processes.”

Last year Wincanton signed a deal with Comet to be its sole warehousing and distribution partner, in a deal scheduled to last three years. Wincanton was not immediately available for comment.