Penske losing Big Lots logistics contract - Nashville Business Journal:

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is packing up this summer at thediscountr retailer’s headquarters and four other distributioh facilities after the merchant opter to not renew a logistics contrac t that expires in July. The Reading, Pa.-based Penske said 186 workers, includinvg 53 in Columbus, could be affected when its contracwith Columbus-based Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) expires July 31. Penskde spokesman Randy Ryerson said the companhy has worked with the retailersince 1991.
The 1,300-storw Big Lots has chosen a new third-party logistice provider to continue the warehousinyg and distribution work that Penske performed atthe retailer’ Phillipi Road headquarters and its distribution centerx in Tremont, Pa; Montgomery, Ala.; Ranchoo Cucamonga, Calif.; and Durant, Okla. Timothyt Johnson, Big Lots’ vice president of strategic planningt andinvestor relations, said more than a dozenm carriers bid for the work. He declined to disclosde the company Big Lots selected tosucceed Penske. Big Lots and Penske representativesdsaid they’re working with truck driverzs looking to continue work under the new logistics provider.
Johnsoj said the company met with workers over the weekend to introduce thenew contractor. In the eventy that some workersare cut, Ryersoj said privately held Penske will work with the statee “to make sure employees are awars of different services.” Penske employs aboutg 20,000 workers worldwide. Asked why Big Lots opted to bid for a new contractorr after thelatest five-year contract with Penske, Johnson “a lot has changed in transportation in the past five We owed it to our associated and shareholders to take a fresh look at how we handlse outbound transport.
” The loss of the Big Lots contracgt comes less than a year afte Penske was replaced at a warehousde in Lockbourne. Chattanooga, Tenn.-based last fall stepped in at the facility, wherew Penske had employed 146 workers. Penske has 400 logistics centersw worldwide. Its Central Ohio operations include a number of distribution and warehousing facilities inthe