Groupe SEB awards retail operation to Ahlers Logistics in Russia /01 Sep 2009/

Groupe SEB entrusted Ahlers logistics with the incorporation of its Retail business.
This retail operation was located in Moscow and will now be closed and moved to ALC.
Main challenge in this redesign is to guarantee the Moscow shops at least the same service level as if the goods would be shipped out of Moscow.

Trendsetting
This strategic decision of Groupe SEB might be the start of a new trend. Possibly other consumer goods manufacturers might follow this drastic change in the supply chain design.

New jobs
Spring this year Ahlers Logistics opened a new warehouse at ALC (Ahlers Logistic Centre) designed especially for Groupe SEB. By the end of 2009 ALC will handle all orders on pallet, box and piece level. Out of ALC shipments for export destinations like Kazakhstan & Ukraine are handled. The new contract extension will increase the number of orders for direct deliveries on shop level, directly or through X-dock platforms. The direct deliveries include customer specific modifications (VAS) for the retail customers. ALC will also handle the marketing material for the Russian market. Ahlers Logistics started new hiring’s to ensure a smooth switch.

History
In 2003 Ahlers logistics won its first contract with Groupe SEB.

Renaud de Butler, General Manager Groupe SEB CIS says: ”Consolidating logistics with a specialized partner will improve our customer service. Especially in this challenging economic situation the need for a reliable and agile logistic partner is high. Over the past years Ahlers Logistics and Groupe SEB have grown strong together in the Russia.”

Christian Leysen, chairman of Ahlers adds: “The redesign of the retail logistics is a program of strategic importance for Groupe SEB and we are honored to be given the trust to support this important step. We have been preparing the implementation of the consolidation in a joint project team during the last months. This teamwork gives the cooperation an excellent position to deliver efficient logistics services to Groupe SEB’s customers.”

Ahlers has been operating in Russia since 1993 in forwarding and customs clearance (Ahlers Forwarding). Since 2005, Ahlers Logistics is also active in Russia in the field of contract logistics, running its own warehouses. In Russia, Stefan Van Doorslaer is heading up a 200-strong team working across 2 locations.

To Ahlers Logistics, the ALC has been the most significant investment to date. In addition, the company also runs warehouses in Ghent (Belgium); Kharkov and Dniepropetrosk (Ukraine).