Jobs under threat as Marks and Spencer pulls plug on another DC

Marks and Spencer is closing its Hardwick distribution centre on Hardwick Grange, near Warrington, putting 450 jobs at risk. It has also appointed DHL to run its new south east DC at Welham Green, Hertfordshire, which is set to open in 2019. 

The moves are the latest in the struggling retailer’s five-year transformation programme, which includes creating a single-tier Clothing & Home logistics network. M&S is in the process of automating its DC in Bradford and it can now handle more capacity. That lead to the decision to close the Hardwick DC which currently handles Clothing & Home products for stores in the North West and Scotland. It will cease operations in September and work will transfer to other sites across the M&S network. It is operated by third party logistics specialist XPO Logistics with transport operations provided by DHL. Both XPO and DHL have now entered a period of consultation with the circa 450 colleagues who work on site.   

Gordon Mowat, Director of Clothing & Home Supply Chain & Logistics, says: “Closing Hardwick will help to remove some complexity from our network and speed up our supply chain. However, it was not a decision we took lightly and it is not in any way a reflection on the hard work and dedication provided by the teams on site. We will do all we can to support our partners through the consultation process. On our new site at Welham Green, DHL is the right partner for us. They delivered the best response to the tender, they have a strong track record at other M&S sites and are best placed in terms of costs and speed of operation to help us realise the benefits of our new DC.” 

The Clothing & Home distribution network currently comprises of 18 sites including large DCs in Castle Donington, Bradford and Swindon. The previously announced closure of the DC in Neasden is due to be completed early next year.