Maersk will take over Columbia Sportswear’s UK and Ireland Pick & Pack operations from a new 8,000 sq m operation in Tamworth, bringing inventory closer to customers and supporting faster, more responsive fulfilment.
Maersk has expanded its logistics partnership with Columbia Sportswear Company through a new five-year warehousing and distribution agreement covering the UK and Ireland.
Under the agreement, Maersk will manage Columbia’s Pick & Pack operations from its existing multi-customer warehouse in Tamworth, near Birmingham. The operation will replace Columbia’s current distribution model serving the UK and Ireland from Cambrai, France.
The move is designed to create a more localised supply chain, reducing the distance between inventory and the end market while improving delivery speed and flexibility.
The Tamworth operation will handle footwear, apparel, accessories and equipment across Columbia’s e-commerce, retail and wholesale channels.
Initial volumes are expected to reach approximately 1.6 million inbound and outbound units annually, with the facility managing an inventory of around 25,000 SKUs.
Approximately 8,000 sq m of Maersk’s Tamworth facility will be dedicated to Columbia under the five-year contract, with capacity to hold inventory across multiple fulfilment streams.
The agreement comes as Columbia looks to strengthen its logistics infrastructure to support growth in the UK market.
Matthieu Schegg, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Columbia Sportswear EMEA, said: “Over the years, we’ve developed a strategic partnership with Maersk, and it is super important for us to partner up with professionals in the field of logistics due to the complex nature of our supply chain. We’ve reached the level of business in the UK where we can now set up a facility dedicated to this market to serve the consumers and the customers faster.”
Beyond warehousing and fulfilment, Maersk will provide Columbia with customs handling, inland transportation, cross-docking and final-mile delivery services for retail and wholesale shipments.
The expanded relationship reflects a wider supply chain focus on positioning inventory closer to demand while consolidating logistics activities with fewer providers.
Jason Walker, Chief Operating Officer for Maersk Contract Logistics, said: “This agreement reflects the continued momentum in our partnership with Columbia Sportswear and highlights the value of integrated logistics solutions. By moving fulfilment closer to the end market, we can support faster delivery times, improved flexibility and a more resilient supply chain.”
The agreement builds on their existing partnership and supports their aim of simplifying and optimising supply chains through integrated, end-to-end logistics services.
