Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion and lifestyle brand founded by the designer, has expanded its partnership with supply chain specialist Bleckmann, opening a second European fulfilment operation at one of Bleckmann’s distribution centers in Zaragoza, Spain.
The operation went live in April and is dedicated to serving Karl Lagerfeld’s European outlet channel, handling warehousing, pick-and-pack services and B2B delivery to outlet stores. It is in addition to the brand’s existing European fulfillment hub, operated by Bleckmann in Almelo in the Netherlands. Bleckmann has supported Karl Lagerfeld with end-to-end warehousing and fulfillment across Europe since 2021.
Zaragoza serves as a central node within Bleckmann’s Spanish logistics network. A truck leaving the city can reach many major European cities within one to two days, and the area is home to Spain’s second-largest cargo airport, with sea freight connections via Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. Most of Spain’s key commercial centers are within a 350km radius of Zaragoza.
The move from approval to go-live took three months. Bleckmann’s integrated inventory management system coordinates stock across both warehouses, which the companies say avoided adding operational complexity.
“This type of dual-hub fulfillment model is something we’re very used to doing,” said Fernando Sainz Martinez-Vara de Rey, business development director at Bleckmann in Spain. “We have the systems set up, we have the integrations ready and we’re connected with the rest of the activity for Karl Lagerfeld. Now that the operation is up and running, we’re already looking at what we can improve to be more efficient.”
The expansion is the latest development in a five-year logistics partnership between the two companies.
“Our ongoing relationship with Bleckmann has enabled us to deliver high service standards that our global consumers expect while simultaneously achieving meaningful operational efficiency gains,” said Timothy Dreijer, senior vice president of retail, supply chain and operations and legal affairs at Karl Lagerfeld. “The recent expansion in Spain is the latest step on that shared journey.”
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