Barely a month ago, industry rumours whispered that XPO was set to sell its European division. However, the last 24 hours indicate that the company is keen to strengthen its position in the continent.
Firstly, XPO revealed that they would be launching a new global distribution centre in the Netherlands in partnership with Danone.
It also plans to acquire Kuehne + Nagel’s Drinkflow Logistics Holdings Limited having been given the green light from the British Competition and Markets Authority yesterday.
Distribution centre in the Netherlands
The aforementioned distribution centre spans 56,000-square-metres and will be located next to Danone’s factory in the eastern village of Haps. XPO will operate the facility using automated guided vehicles, layer picking robot technology and XPO Smart data management analytics.
The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2021, when XPO and Danone will strive to create what it calls a “Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)”. Moreover, both parties are aiming for a “very good” sustainability rating on the way towards making the site carbon neutral in the coming years.
Acquisition of Kuehne+Nagel’s UK contract logistics portfolio is approved
Kuehne + Nagel have also entered into a definitive agreement to sell a major part of its UK contract logistics portfolio to XPO Logistics. The scope of the transaction included the drinks logistics, food services and retail & technology businesses.
These operations generated a turnover of approximately CHF 750 million (approx GBP 620 million) in 2019 and were supported by 7,500 employees. The acquisition required the green light by the British Competition and Markets Authority, which XPO gained yesterday.
Photo credit @ XPO UK