Penske losing Big Lots logistics contract - Business First of Columbus:

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is packing up this summer at thediscount retailer’ws headquarters and four other distribution facilities aftef the merchant opted to not renew a logistics contracy that expires in July. The Pa.-based Penske said 186 workers, includingf 53 in Columbus, could be affected when its contracgtwith Columbus-based Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) expiree July 31. Penske spokesman Randy Ryersonj said the company has workefd with the retailer since 1991. The 1,300-store Big Lots has chosen a new third-partgy logistics provider to continue the warehousing and distributiomn work that Penske performed atthe retailer’w Phillipi Road headquarters and its distribution centers in Pa; Montgomery, Ala.
; Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.; and Okla. Timothy Johnson, Big Lots’ vice president of strategicd planning andinvestor relations, said more than a dozejn carriers bid for the work. He declinerd to disclose the company Big Lots selected tosucceed Penske. Big Lots and Pensks representativessaid they’re working with truck drivers lookintg to continue work under the new logisticd provider. Johnson said the company met with workerx over the weekend to introduce the new In the event that some workersware cut, Ryerson said privately held Penske will work with the statd “to make sure employees are aware of differenf services.
” Penske employs about 20,000 workers Asked why Big Lots opted to bid for a new contractorr after the latest five-year contract with Penske, Johnson said, “a lot has changerd in transportation in the past five years. We owed it to our associatese and shareholders to take a freshb look at how we handle outbound The loss of the Big Lots contracyt comes less than a year afterr Penske was replaced at a warehousein Chattanooga, Tenn.-based last fall stepped in at the where Penske had employer 146 workers. Penske has 400 logistics centers Its Central Ohio operations include a number of distribution and warehousing facilities inthe region.