Johnson & Johnson awards European Distribution contract to TNT Logistics
30 March 2006 - 12:15 CET
US Healthcare Corporation Johnson & Johnson has awarded a five - year contract to operate a new European Distribution Center (EDC) to TNT Benelux & Multi Country Logistics.The distribution center will be located in the Belgian town of Courcelles near Charleroi, and will go live in the 3rd quarter of 2006. The EDC is predicted to create between 120 - 160 new jobs by 2008.
Johnson & Johnson is investing 33 million Euros in this 19,000sqm state of the art facility. The aim in the longer term is to have this new EDC as the hub at the centre of a reduced and streamlined European distribution network. Patrick Rainforth, Executive Director of Distribution for Johnson & Johnson said "The distribution expertise and infrastructure within the Walloon region combined with its central location, and the opportunity to work with the regional Government and TNT Logistics were the key factors in influencing this important investment decision. We expect this EDC to play a future key role in supporting the growth of our business, and in extending our service to patients and doctors across Europe".
Onno Meij, Managing Director of TNT Benelux & Multi Country Logistics: "We are very pleased with the relationship with Johnson & Johnson. This partnership brings one of the most successful logistics companies together with one of the most innovative healthcare corporations in the world and we are very excited by the possibilities that this will create within the complex European healthcare sector. It fits in our healthcare strategy and enhances our already strong position in this sector. Furthermore, our IT-capabilities and the unique TNT Transportation Management System (TMS) will enable us to support this strategic partnership with excellent operational performance. After the recent opening of our multi-user warehouse in Willebroek this is another sign of our strong commitment and growth in Belgium."
Today the European distribution network supported by Johnson & Johnson is extensive because it has developed as the Corporation has gone through successful rapid growth and acquisition. This has resulted in some duplication of effort within the supply chain. The new DC in Courcelles will enable Johnson & Johnson to begin the process of aligning its distribution services across its many companies in Europe to fit the patient needs of the future. The Courcelles DC will be operated by TNT, and will be the flagship site serving a smaller number of other Johnson & Johnson European warehouses.
