Albert Heijn & Norbert Dentressangle shorten fresh supply chain

Albert Heijn and Norbert Dentressangle have signed a memorandum of understanding for a new fresh centre. They have thus established a long-term partnership to realise a major Shared Fresh Centre (SFC) that will service more than 900 Albert Heijn stores. This new joint SFC for suppliers and Albert Heijn will be managed by Norbert Dentressangle. Its realisation will ensure that a large volume of fresh products will find their way to shelves more rapidly and efficiently. The SFC will be centrally located in Nieuwegein and is expected to become operational in Q2 2015.

Last year, Albert Heijn announced its intention to speed up the supply chain for a large number of fresh products, including deli products, cheese, salads, meat, fish, convenience meals, fresh juices and pastries. Recent years have seen the number of Albert Heijn stores grow together with the number of fresh products they stock. In light of this development, the fresh supply chain needs to be optimised in order to create opportunities for future growth, and to have these products reach the stores in an even fresher state. For this reason, Albert Heijn decided last year to start working with Shared Fresh Centers (SFCs)., to which suppliers can transport their products directly after production. This will reduce the number of stock points and transportation, and make it possible to deliver fresh products to stores sooner. In addition, stores will receive these products grouped according to category, making it easier for employees to stock shelves. Fast running fresh products, such as fruit and vegetables, have not been included in this project as their distribution processes have already been optimised.

In due course, the new SFCs will replace the current National Fresh Centres in Nieuwegein and Utrecht. Albert Heijn’s employees at the National Fresh Centres have been promised job security and a social plan has been agreed with the unions

“The fresh products department is the pride of our stores,” says Sander van der Laan, CEO of Albert Heijn. “We are pleased to be working with a very experienced logistics service provider. This collaboration will enable us to offer our customers even fresher products in our stores.”

For more information:
Faye Baker/Phil Rennett
Quiet Storm Consultants
Tel: 01530 276550 Fax: 01530 276551
E-mail: faye@q-storm.co.uk or phil@q-storm.co.uk