John Dee trims plans
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• The John Dee Group has disposed of its majority stake in Belgian firm Dee Line and has shelved plans to expand into the Italian market.
During the past four months the group has also slashed more than 200 jobs and closed several depots in its operations — both in transport and warehousing.
John Davison, who owns Ferryhill-based John Dee, has sold his controlling stake in Dee Line to another European transport company. He originally set up the venture with Chris Van Eekhout of Belgium. Dee Line at one time had five sites which supplied a range of transport services, including a just-in-time delivery service for Volkswagen car parts.
Andrew Cowie, recently appointed managing director for John Dee, says: "Dee Line was not a very profitable operation. It was making only marginal returns. There are more pressing things to do in this company."
John Dee had also formed an Italian firm to co-ordinate the group's attack on the Italian distribution market. However, since the departure of former managing director Alan Potter, this plan has been dropped. Just under a year ago the group shut down its 12-month old Eurofreight subsidiary, based in Dover and Ramsgate.