Thorntons has announced the decision to outsource its Distribution and Warehousing function to DHL, a leading expert in the distribution field.

Thorntons expects the outsource to deliver a net benefit to Thorntons in excess of £5 million over the six year contract through utilisation of DHL's established operating network. One-off transition costs of up to £680,000 will be incurred in the first year of the contract.

Thorntons Chief Executive, Jonathan Hart, will be presenting his strategic review of the Thorntons business to analysts and major shareholders at 11am on Tuesday 28 June 2011.