18 May 2008

Recent Investments

French sportswear company Decathlon has set up its global logistics center at Barcelona's port, with new facilities offering 48,000 square meters and an investment of 33 million euros. The new platform, which is to supply Decathlon's 18 regional warehouses and more than 400 stores worldwide, will have a workforce of 300 employees. Sports goods distribution is expected to reach the equivalent of 22 cargo ships.

Decathlon CEO Michael de Humières said that his company picked Barcelona because of its central location in Europe and the promising future of its port facilities. Spain is also the company's second most important market, with 20% of global revenue. Last year, Decathlon Spain posted revenue in the area of 900 million euros.

Barcelona's Port Authority (BPA) believes that one of the keys to its future growth lies in the strengthening of its logistics activitiy zone. BPA is currently negotiating future facilities for Peugeot's Gefco unit and Spanish brewer Damm.

Source: El País, 15/5/2008