[ Katon Natie opens Decathlon inspection centre ]

In mid-July the Katon Natie/Seaport Terminal group celebrated the offi
cial opening of its BF 400 million inspection centre at the Vrasene Do
ck. The new centre for the French market and distributor of sports art
icles. Dedication, was purpose-built for Katoen Natie by the specialis
t firm of Blockmens of Hoogstraten.
The main activity carried out in the new logistics centre for Dedicati
on by Logisport BVBA, a Katoen Natie subdidiary, is the inspection of
incoming goods. These goods come primarily from the Far East and are c
ollected from Hossentie, Noord Natie and Seaport Terminals. The import
ed goods are removed from the containers in the centre.
Every article is then individually unpacked and examined for defects i
n the product itself, the wrapping or in the order numbers. Such care
reveals the dedication of the Decathion philosophy, which ensures the
rapid detection and remedying of any defects caused in the country of
origin, in order to back up the guarantee given to the consumer that t
he article meets the highest quality standards.
The products received and inspected in the Logidport Centre are then s
ent to 5 distribution centres in Frnace. At present all overland haula
ge is done by road, although the intention is to switch to rail within
a few months.
The opening of this inspection centre will result in the creation of 3
00 jobs. Moreover Dedication intends to open a giant sports supermarke
t in the disused General Motors building on the Noorderlaan in early 1
997, which will result in the creation of a further 100 jobs. The grou
p’s Belgian offices will also be opened on this site, and should lead
to the creation of a further 40 new jobs. Decation, it may be added,
also hopes to open shops in all of Belgium’s main shopping centres.