DRAKKAR Logistics and WIPTEC pick, pack & ship create partnership and conclude a mutual participation aimed to support the transformation of retail and promote e-commerce in Canada

MONTREAL, May 16, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - DRAKKAR Logistics (a subsidiary of Drakkar & Partners), a company specializing in outsourcing operations in the transportation, retail, aerospace and defense sectors, and WIPTEC pick, pack & ship, a nationally recognized leader in order fulfillment for the retail and e-commerce markets, have concluded a strategic partnership agreement and a mutual participation in their respective capital shares.

DRAKKAR Logistics and WIPTEC pick, pack & ship combine forces and expertise to enhance their complementary service offerings. A common project immediately emerges from this union: make Greater Montreal a must in order fulfillment due to the construction of a major order assembly center. This project represents a major investment of over $150 million, covering over 1 million square feet, and creating 1000 job opportunities. Construction is scheduled for the end of 2019.

Inspired by the current WIPTEC pick, pack & ship facilities in Sherbrooke, this new fulfillment center will offer world-class services to manufacturers, traditional retailers and e-commerce. It will house a wide variety of clients who will leverage mutual best in-class technologies and infrastructures. Greater Montreal will be able to diversify its operational and technological e-com fulfillment offering and attract more local, national and international clients.

"This share exchange with WIPTEC pick, pack & ship is a testament to the long-term growth of our logistics ecosystem in Greater Montreal, across Canada and in North America. We were looking for a renowned player with strong expertise to further the development of our logistics activities. WIPTEC has established itself through their excellence in technology, systems and processes as well as their corporate values. By combining forces with WIPTEC, a private Quebec company as ours, can confirm our desire to grow, innovate and standout in a world-class logistics hubs and centers. This alliance is perfectly in line with DRAKKAR's DNA and culture, it clearly represents a major turning point for our organization", Michel Blaquière, President and Chief Operating Officer of Drakkar & Partners, and Michel Girard, Vice-President, Strategy and Corporate Development of DRAKKAR.

"We are proud to bring to DRAKKAR Logistics the expertise, knowledge of our passionate team, our LEAD WMS integrated management software and our state-of-the-art equipment to grow our service offering. This agreement highlights our commitment to meeting the growing needs of our current and future clients. As well, it marks our determination to maintain our strategic positioning and to remain a leader in the digital and technological transformation currently affecting the retail sector. Faced with perpetual changes in the market, we have everything to gain from joining a company whose values we share and whose business objectives are in line with ours. By partnering with DRAKKAR, in business for almost 30 years, we are aiming for an accelerated expansion of our current operations in Sherbrooke and a greater expansion internationally", added Martin Ball and Sébastien Ball, respectively President and Executive Vice-President of WIPTEC pick, pack & ship.

About DRAKKAR (www.drakkar.com)

Co-founded over 25 years ago by Denis Deschamps and Michel Blaquière, DRAKKAR is a renowned, Montreal based company with offices in Canada and the United States. Recognized for specializing in outsourcing logistics, manufacturing and digital solutions, DRAKKAR offers targeted industry expertise that supports operations for major customers in a variety of industries including retail, aerospace, defense and transportation. DRAKKAR has an effective and determined team of over 2500 employees whose efforts and hard work are the backbone of the company. Their knowledge, supported by innovative solutions, contributes to the operational success of its clients working in various cutting-edge sectors in North America. Its logistics activities, managed under the DRAKKAR Logistics entity, consists of fulfillment management, fleet and dock management, and freight management services.

About WIPTEC pick, pack & ship (www.wiptec.ca)

WIPTEC pick, pack & ship is a Quebec founded company since 2002. For the past 16 years, the company has stood out as an expert in order fulfillment for B2B (retail) and B2C (e-commerce) markets. Situated in Sherbrooke, its modern and technological infrastructure spans a surface of over 600 000 square feet where, over 300 employees work on a daily basis, shipping over 25000 parcels per day. A leader always in search of innovative solutions, WIPTEC offers companies all over the world, comprehensive, efficient, integrated and highly strategic solutions, from support of post-production products to shipping to point-of-sale or residential addresses. Its operations also include assembling activities, kitting, inventory management and process engineering. Owner of its own software technology, LEAD WMS, WIPTEC combines quality, productivity and advanced technology in its numerous fulfillment centers.

SOURCE DRAKKAR & PARTNERS