The service and repair company is understood to have beaten rivals UTL, Brightstar and DHL in the tender
ANOVO has won a multi-year, multi-million pound contract from rivals UTL to manage all reverse logistics and handsets returns for Three.
The service and repair company, which was acquired by Ingram Micro for a reported £80 million in February 2015, is understood to have beaten a number of rivals for the deal including UTL – which had held the contract since 2003 – Brightstar and DHL, following a competitive tender.
Neither Three or ANOVO would comment at press, but sources close to both firms say the contract will be managed at its headquarters in Norwich and will lead to the creation of more than 50 new jobs. ANOVO employs more than 1,200 staff across its five UK hubs, the remaining four of which are located in Coventry, Enfield, Knutsford and Thetford.
“Since being acquired by Ingram, ANOVO has gone from strength-to-strength in the market,” said our source. “Its portfolio of services offered to the market, as well as its ever widening reach is generating great appeal and traction.”
The deal adds to an already long list of major contracts held by the firm,which includes O2, Samsung, HTC, Tesco, BT and TalkTalk.
UTL win
Three has, however, decided to renew its contract with UTL for forward logistics, packaging and distribution of its products to retail stores, online and end users until 2019.
UTL also provides logistics,repair, returns and distribution services to a number of technology and retail customers, including Sky, Virgin, Waterstones and Kimberly-Clark. It insists despite the contract loss to ANOVO, there will be no changes to its current 300 plus staff count.
UTL said: “Three have renewed their contract for forward logistics, kitting and distribution services until 2019.
Three head of supply chain Dan Halsey added: “Together we will continue to drive innovation and service for Three’s customers.”