Art Marketing has selected Import Services to handle the delivery of art work and clocks to Laura Ashley, John Lewis and some 2,000 galleries and small shops throughout the UK and Ireland, while it concentrates on the core business of design and sourcing the highest quality goods from China.
Art Marketing operations director Geoff Heald said that outsourcing the fulfilment operation was a major change for the company which was set up 28 years ago and operates from bases on the Isle of Wight and in Hertfordshire.
"We felt that our logistics were better placed with specialists leaving us the time we need to ensure the highest quality products for our customers to sell,'' said Geoff.
"A serious amount of research went into selecting the right logistics company and we were extremely impressed with the professional way in which Import Services assessed our operation and put forward a solution.''
Art Marketing imports goods through Southampton from China and Mr Heald said the fact that Import Services operates its 250,000 sq ft operation close to the container port was a factor in the new appointment.
"We looked at logistics companies around the country but Import Services offered us the best all round deal for our requirements,'' he said.
Work for Import Services will involve fulfilment throughout the year with particular peaks towards the busy Christmas period and in January/February as stores restock for the Spring months.
Client services director at Import Services, Mike Thomas, said: "We are thrilled Art Marketing has entrusted its logistics to us to manage. We will support all aspects of its supply chain involved in handling Art Marketing's world class products to its customers throughout the UK and Ireland. It will be particularly rewarding to provide Art Marketing with the scale of logistics required to support further development and to play a key role in its continued success.
"The great team at Import Services, our excellent facilities and web-enabled systems assist us in managing high volume order processing to tight deadlines. This is why we are already established as a premium service logistics provider within the retail business environment in which Art Marketing excels."
Based in Southampton, Import Services is a leading portcentric logistics specialist. The company provides PO tracking and inbound shipping, CFSP, high volume order processing, pre retail services (such as labelling), pick, pack and distribution services to retailers throughout the UK and Continental European.