A.P. Moller-Maersk has signed an agreement to operate Columbia Sportswear's UK and Ireland Pick & Pack warehousing and distribution from a dedicated facility within its multicustomer site in Tamworth, near Birmingham. The move replaces a French-based distribution arrangement and marks a shift toward localised, market-responsive supply chains for outdoor and lifestyle retailers serving the region.

Maersk is a Danish integrated shipping and logistics group headquartered in Copenhagen, listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen under AMKBY. The company posted EBITDA of $12.1 billion for full year 2024, its strongest financial performance outside the pandemic period.

The agreement, first reported, sees the Tamworth operation take over from Columbia's previous UK and Ireland distribution base in Cambrai, France. The new site will support Columbia's full product range, spanning footwear, apparel, accessories and equipment, across retail, wholesale and e-commerce channels.

Columbia Sportswear is a US outdoor and lifestyle apparel company headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and listed on Nasdaq under the ticker COLM. The company reported net sales of $3,368.6 million (€2.9 billion) for full year 2024, down 3 percent on the prior year.

The structural driver is Columbia's shift from a single centralised French base to a market-dedicated UK facility, reflecting a wider move among global consumer brands to localise fulfilment rather than serve multiple markets from one distant hub.

Matthieu Schegg, senior vice president and general manager of 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."

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 fulfillment closer to the end market, we can support faster delivery times, improved flexibility and a more resilient supply chain."

For the sector, the deal illustrates how consumer brands are consolidating regional logistics under single dedicated providers to shorten delivery times and reduce complexity.

Source: Parcel and Postal Technology International / Columbia Sportswear / A.P. Moller-Maersk