Ocean Trading plans expansion into Europe

Tina Milton

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A new global computer system has spurred Ocean Trading to take its first steps into Europe at Amsterdam Schiphol

The Nuance Group's distribution business Ocean Trading is planning to expand its operations into Europe after implementing a global computer system.

About 98% of its current business is with UK-based clients, but Ocean Trading will build new business in Europe by working with Nuance's operations at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. Its new computer system will allow Ocean Trading to order stock from its logistical base in Eastleigh, UK for delivery to Amsterdam, and to process orders from elsewhere in Europe at its UK warehouse.

The company's European business will initially offer a distribution service only, but there could be scope for a full added-value operation to overseas locations supported by its own staff, Ocean Trading general manager Martin Efford told RavenFox.com.

"We are currently UK-focused and this limits the opportunities for expansion," he said. "We've often discussed the options for moving further afield but this has only become a possibility with the implementation of a global computer system. This will enable Ocean Trading to use Nuance's overseas warehouses in exactly the same way as we use Nursling on the outskirts of Southampton."

Efford said a number of suppliers have already expressed interest in using the European service.

See DFNI July 15 for further details.