Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that Belk, Inc., the largest privately owned mainline department store company in the U.S., has selected Hong Kong-based MOL Consolidation Service Limited (MCS) as its freight forwarder and consolidator throughout China, India, Cambodia, Vietnam and other locations around the world where Belk sources the manufacturing of its private brand merchandise.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. operates more than 300 fashion department stores in 16 contiguous Southern states and reported sales of $3.5 billion in its past fiscal year. Belk said it selected MCS because of its track record in providing international freight forwarding and consolidation services and its global service network and cargo information service.

Diane Hartjes, Belk, Inc. director of private brands operations, said, 'During a recent visit to Asia, I was very impressed with MCS's ability to work with our overseas factories and assist us in implementing critical new programs aimed at improving vendor performance. As we continue to evaluate and optimize our supply chain, MCS turned out to be the perfect fit for our overseas consolidation and freight forwarding services. We are excited about entering this new partnership.'

Creating more efficient transport service
MOL has provided buyers consolidation services since its start in 2003, with its MOL Consolidation Service (MCS) group company playing a core role. In 2008, MCS was selected as MOL's brand name for the consolidation service.

MCS's buyers consolidation service transports products purchased by European and U.S. retailers and apparel companies from suppliers in China and Southeast Asia via ports in Asia. The company's STARLINK cargo information service and other value-added services such as product inspection and bar code reading are available throughout those regions.