Home shopping giant JML in port boost

Mar 3 2010 By The Journal

HOME shopping company JML is to relocate its entire retail shipping operations to the Port of Tyne in South Shields, and hopes to add to the 100 jobs it has already created since moving to the North East in 2008.

London-based JML has moved its remaining retail fulfillment operations from a third-party company in Dartford to its premises at the port, which will see it increase the number of pallets it has at the site at any one time from 1,500 to 9,000.

The move will create a huge increase in traffic at the port, with the number of JML containers expected to arrive at the port rising from 350 a year to 1,500.

The multi-million-pound expansion is expected to create around 30 jobs at the port, which currently employs around 450, with JML planning to add to the 100 workers it employs directly at its on-site warehouse and call centre.

Although JML said it will continue to base its direct sales operations and TV studios in London, it hopes to add to its clients by combining its retail business in the North East, which include ASDA and Boots. As well as serving retail customers in the UK, the Port of Tyne helps to export JML’s household products to almost 80 countries, including Philippines, Russia, Brazil, Australia, South Africa and the Netherlands.

Chief executive at the Port of Tyne, Andrew Moffat (pictured above), said: "The fact that JML has decided to base its entire retail operations here at the port is fantastic for the North East. They have obviously been impressed with the facilities here and we look forward to helping them grow in the region."