Joseph Joseph expands XPO deal to cover China-UK freight

Joseph Joseph has expanded its relationship with XPO Logistics, adding global forwarding services for inbound freight moving from China to the UK.

The arrangement covers shipments from suppliers in China through to delivery at XPO Logistics' warehouse in Rugby, Warwickshire, which serves as Joseph Joseph's UK e-fulfilment hub.

The companies have worked together for six months as Joseph Joseph adjusted its logistics strategy to support growth across direct-to-consumer and business-to-business channels. The partnership also covers retail and eCommerce operations.

Under the expanded scope, XPO will manage purchase orders and related supplier information, coordinate freight movement from China to the UK, and oversee delivery into the Rugby facility.

End-to-end scope

The companies are positioning the expanded contract as a single supply chain service from origin through to customer delivery. It links upstream forwarding with domestic warehousing and fulfilment, giving Joseph Joseph a single operational thread for inbound flows and outbound distribution.

The forwarding element adds planning and execution to the existing UK logistics footprint, bringing customs processes and international transit milestones into the same framework as domestic fulfilment.

XPO's technology platform provides visibility across goods movement and associated documentation. Its portal tracks orders and purchase orders alongside container movements, customs steps, arrivals, and final distribution.

The move reflects a broader trend in consumer goods supply chains. Brands with multi-channel sales models are seeking tighter coordination between global inbound flows, inventory availability, and delivery performance-especially where ranges rely on Asian manufacturing and long lead times.

Customs automation

XPO said automation supports customs clearance by validating shipment data and identifying discrepancies before cargo reaches the border. The process also streamlines documentation.

Customs handling has become a more prominent concern for UK importers in recent years, given the potential for delays at entry points. Earlier checks and structured data management are now common features in many forwarding offerings.

For Joseph Joseph, the expanded scope adds more control over supplier-facing processes and inbound delivery schedules, while increasing reliance on a single provider for international transport and domestic warehousing performance.

Sacha Vaughan, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Joseph Joseph, described the decision as a continuation of the existing working relationship.

“We've been delighted with the progress we've made with XPO Logistics since our partnership began six months ago. So, expanding the partnership to include our global forwarding needs was an obvious choice. The dedicated account management team we're working with are experts in their field, whether in global forwarding or integrating their excellent technology with our own. I'm happy to know that all our logistics needs are being taken care of by such a highly experienced partner,” said Sacha Vaughan, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Joseph Joseph.

Service footprint

XPO Logistics operates a network across Europe, with sites in 14 countries and a fleet of trucks and trailers. Its European headquarters are in Lyon, France. The group also has a North American business through XPO, focused on less-than-truckload freight transportation.

In Europe, it offers forwarding alongside domestic transport and warehousing services, as well as multimodal transport, 4PL, and control tower services for companies seeking centralised oversight of multiple logistics partners.

The Rugby warehouse plays a central role in the expanded arrangement. As an e-fulfilment hub, it acts as the handover point between international inbound transport and domestic distribution. This structure can reduce fragmentation at hand-offs, provided inbound scheduling and inventory processes stay aligned.

Christophe Verot, Senior Vice President, Forwarding - Europe at XPO Logistics, said the company will extend its existing role into international shipping management.

He highlighted the portal as a single view across milestones, alongside account management-particularly where supply chains span multiple suppliers and shipment types.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our existing partnership with Joseph Joseph into global forwarding, an area we excel in. Our portal offers not just real-time tracking but the assurance that every logistical aspect is always in hand, something we can promise thanks to our expertise across all aspects of logistics. This means our shared vision for exceptional customer service is consistently built on solid foundations,” said Verot.

The expanded partnership sets out a framework that integrates inbound shipping visibility and customs handling with UK warehousing and fulfilment, with the Rugby site as the main receiving point for China-origin freight.