Hermes-OTTO International Launches ASTRA Supply Chain Services
Chicago – May 28, 2015 – Hermes (www.hermesworld.com), a leading provider of end-to-end e-commerce services for fashion and lifestyle brands, announced today that Hermes-OTTO International (H-OI) launched ASTRA Supply Chain Services Ltd., a new service unit, in April 2015. ASTRA offers bundled services related to auditing and quality control as well as IT-based supply chain solutions. ASTRA’s primary focus is the textile industry.
Since the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka in 2013, assuring adherence to safety and compliance standards has been a major global issue. H-OI, a supporter of social and quality audits, regularly checks suppliers in its network. In so doing, the firm has developed extensive auditing expertise over the years. Through ASTRA, H-OI seeks to provide these services to clients, particularly in the textile sector.
As an auditing company, ASTRA is accredited by WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), an independent, objective, nonprofit team of global social compliance experts dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane and ethical manufacturing around the world through certification and education. Beyond auditing, ASTRA provides quality control and IT-based supply chain management services and maintains inspection centers in key sourcing regions including Dhaka, Shanghai, Qingdao, Bangkok, Tirupur, Mumbai, Istanbul and Izmir.
Sandra Vollmert, managing director of ASTRA, says, "We offer a depth of experience difficult to find elsewhere when it comes to products, quality and compliance. We start with a solid understanding of our clients’ needs and an appreciation of the growing significance of transparency across the global supply chain. ASTRA offers the right approach."
About Hermes
Hermes provides international logistics services to the retail industry. Headquartered in Hamburg, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Otto Group. The company is a leading specialist in retail-related services and partners with numerous distance sellers in Germany and internationally. The range of services provided by the twelve Hermes companies embraces the full length of the supply chain: sourcing, quality assurance, transport, fulfillment, home deliveries and two-man handling. In 2014, the Hermes Group grew its consolidated revenue to 2.230 billion euros and increased the number of employees to 12,470. Hermes operates worldwide and has established country companies in the UK, Russia, Italy and Austria. For further information, please visit newsroom.hermesworld.com