Swiss logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel says its branch in France has entered into a strategic partnership with Conforama, a PPR company, and a retailer of home appliances and furnishings.

The partnership will entail the use of a new 65,000-square metre distribution centre in Chatres, designed and operated by Kuehne + Nagel in collaboration with Conforama.

Previously the retailer had used four regional distribution centres plus a national one in Chatres, south of Paris to take care of its logistics needs

Kuehne + Nagel has stationed 150 employees at the Chatres distribution centre to be responsible for all warehousing and order management operations to service Conforama stores in France. Items managed in the facility, include home furnishings and decorative items, large and small home appliances, consumer electronics and PCs.

The facility can receive and manage up to 150 full truck loads and containers each day. It is expected to handle five million cases this year, a Kuehne + Nagel statement said.

In addition to the warehousing operations in Chatres, Kuehne + Nagel is acting as a preferred partner for Conforama, managing container consolidation in Asia and transportation by barge from Antwerp and Le Havre to Conforama warehouses in France and Switzerland.

Kuehne + Nagel has also been assigned a pilot role for the implementation of new processes and systems before they are extended to other Conforama logistics centres.