Claes Retail Group, known among others for JBC, centralises logistics operations with Paxon
Employment to be maintained
Claes Retail Group, the parent company of brands such as JBC, CKS and Mayerline, announced today that it will centralise its logistics operations with Paxon, part of the logistics group Bnode. These activities will be consolidated in a new distribution centre in Beringen. CRG logistics employees will have the opportunity to transfer as part of the transition.
The decision by Claes Retail Group follows an in-depth analysis of the existing logistics structure and the company’s future plans. Further expansion of in-house logistics operations would require significant investments from Claes Retail Group, both in infrastructure and expertise. “The rapidly changing retail landscape and its many challenges also require expertise and speed in logistics. These are two crucial elements that are currently not achievable at the Houthalen site,” CEO Bart Claes of Claes Retail Group says.
Therefore, the company will fully outsource its logistics to Active Ants, becoming Paxon, the brand under which Bnode will soon consolidate all of its logistics activities. Paxon specializes in end-to-end logistics solutions for complex, high-value supply chains, helping brands optimize their logistics operations and distribution.
Maximising job retention
Preserving employment is a key priority. “We are offering our approximately fifty logistics employees the opportunity to transfer to Paxon as well. In line with Collective Labour Agreement No. 32bis, this transfer will take place automatically, ensuring the continuity of their employment. This also allows us to retain as much knowledge and experience as possible. We deliberately chose a solution that allows them to continue developing within a specialised logistics environment,” Bart Claes explains. “By choosing a new distribution centre in Beringen, Claes Retail Group also remains firmly anchored in Limburg.”
End-to-end solution through Paxon
Under the new partnership, the logistics flows of the various brands such as JBC, CKS and Mayerline will be consolidated into one centralised model. A new distribution centre in Beringen will be operated by Paxon.
“With this development, we are taking our existing partnership with Claes Retail Group to the next level,” says Rainer Kiefer, CEO 3PL Europe & Staci Americas at Bnode. “They will benefit from a tailor-made end-to-end solution for their entire supply chain. We will manage the full range of logistics processes for their brands, allowing them to further strengthen their core business. This will be done in close collaboration. It’s a strong example of how all our logistics services, brought together under the Paxon brand, complement each other.”
The transition to the new logistics structure will be implemented in phases to ensure operational continuity. The first implementation phases will start in autumn 2026, with full integration planned by spring 2027. With this step, Claes Retail Group confirms its ambition to operate in a flexible, sustainable and long-term-oriented way within a constantly evolving retail landscape.
Press Relations
Amber Geuens
About Claes Retail Group
In 1975, Jean-Baptiste Claes founded the family business JBC, which has since become a well-established name in the Belgian fashion sector. Fifty years later, we have grown into Claes Retail Group, a strong family holding with three Belgian brands: CKS, JBC and Mayerline.
Our mission has always remained clear and unchanged: to create affordable, fashionable and high-quality clothing for the entire family in the most sustainable way possible, from design to production. We think big while staying locally connected and engaged. Or, as we say: ‘Think global, connect local’. We support families through every stage of life – across generations – and remain close to them through our 360° approach.
Our core values? Proximity, sustainability, local engagement, and a passion for our products and customers. Claes Retail Group’s sustainability report and sustainability strategy ’Pass it On’ are available at Working at CRG? | CRG Jobs.
