Gymshark extends partnership with e-fulfilment specialist Bleckmann
British active apparel brand Gymshark has extended its partnership with e-fulfilment specialist Bleckmann for a further eight years to support its rapid growth.
The businesses first partnered four years ago and now some 11,000 m2 of space at Bleckmann's new high-quality distribution centre in Magna Park, in Lutterworth in the Midlands, is dedicated to Gymshark operations.
Bleckmann provides warehousing services and final mile distribution for Gymshark from the warehouse at Magna Park as well as in Belgium and Australia. The brand has grown exponentially from 2 million units in 2017, to 22 million units in 2021 and expects to sell 50 million units worldwide by 2024.
The space at Magna Park has the capacity to grow along with Gymshark and as a result of the move to the new facility earlier this year the online order cut-off times for Gymshark customers have been extended to midnight for next-day delivery 7 days a week.
Reinardt van Oel and Gymshark's Steve Hewitt sign the new contract
Steve Hewitt, Executive Chairman of Gymshark, said the brand "could not be more excited" about extending the partnership until 2029. “The experience a Gymshark UK customer now receives is truly world class and this is key to our execution strategy as we continue to strengthen the proposition in our home territory. Without Bleckmann this would not have been possible and we could not be happier,” Hewitt said.
Reinardt van Oel, Chief Operations Officer Belgium & UK at Bleckmann, added: “It has been such a pleasure being part of the Gymshark family in their journey of exponential growth. When organizational cultures are so much aligned and there is mutual trust, it naturally becomes a true partnership where you can really create synergy and build on each other’s expertise. Together we have been able to reach extraordinary results and we are delighted to continue our partnership by extending the UK contract with another 8 years.”
Founded in a garage in Birmingham in 2012 by entrepreneur Ben Francis, Gymshark has gone on to become a global force in activewear and is particularly popular with a millennial audience. It now sells to consumers in 180 countries around the world. Last August the business was valued at more than £1 billion after private equity house General Atlantic took a 21% stake.
Bleckmann has a long history in logistics having been founded as a transport company in 1862. It has gone on to become a global expert in e-fulfilment with more than 4,000 staff and revenues of more that €350 million.
