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Tag: last mile

InPost Acquire Delivery Company Yodel

Posted on by David Priestman

European e-commerce logistics provider InPost has announced its acquisition of parcel delivery company Yodel, aiming to accelerate its expansion in the UK market.

InPost stated that the acquisition will unify out-of-home and doorstep delivery solutions under a single brand, enhancing its operational scale, broadening its service offering, and delivering greater convenience for both retailers and customers.

As part of the deal, InPost has acquired 95.5% of the share capital of Judge Logistics Ltd (JLL), the parent company of Yodel Delivery Network. PayPoint will retain a minority stake of 4.5%.

Following the transaction, InPost UK’s market share has grown to around 8%, positioning it as the third-largest agnostic e-commerce logistics carrier in the country. This move builds on InPost’s previous acquisition of Menzies Distribution in October 2024, which granted it full control over its logistics operations in the UK.

Rafał Brzoska, founder and CEO of InPost Group, described the deal as a major milestone in the company’s strategy to transform the UK delivery landscape and strengthen its pan-European presence. He noted that the acquisition accelerates what would have taken five years of organic growth and underlines the company’s long-term commitment to the UK, a market with significant growth potential.

Neil Kuschel, CEO of InPost UK, called the acquisition a transformative step for the company’s UK operations. He highlighted the integration of doorstep deliveries with InPost’s extensive locker network as a key advantage that will allow the company to offer increased reliability, flexibility, and efficiency to customers and e-commerce retailers. “By combining Yodel’s trusted to-door service with our market-leading out-of-home offering, we are creating a carrier that genuinely responds to how people want to send and receive parcels in today’s fast-paced, convenience-focused world,” Kuschel said.

With this acquisition, InPost aims to realize several strategic objectives. It anticipates rapid growth in the UK, delivering over 300 million parcels annually and serving more than 500 e-commerce merchants. The company’s market share has already reached approximately 8%, supported by 10,000 automated parcel machines and over 18,000 out-of-home delivery points.

The acquisition enables InPost to offer a unique and comprehensive service, combining next-day home delivery with a vast out-of-home network under one brand. It also diversifies InPost’s business both geographically and by customer segment, with the UK now contributing around 30% of the Group’s total revenue. From a financial standpoint, the deal is seen as a strategically sound investment, significantly boosting InPost’s presence and long-term growth in the UK market.

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Last Mile Parcel Locker Collaboration

Posted on by David Priestman

With a strong ambition to grow its existing footprint, smart locker network Bloq.it has a product portfolio and company culture to fuel that growth. Peter MacLeod caught up with its founder.

Portuguese smart locker company Bloq.it is catching the eye with its leading-edge smart locker solutions and enlightened approach to the market. As it enters a year when it is aiming to strengthen its position in the unattended delivery solutions sector, its Founder & CEO Miha Jagodic spoke with Logistics Business’s Editor Peter MacLeod to tell him more about the company and what looks like an exciting future.

Logistics Business (LB): Miha, please tell me more about Bloq.it, its background, capabilities, growth, and its offerings.

Miha Jagodic (MJ): Bloq.it was born from a simple beach smart locker concept and evolved into a logistics powerhouse by seizing opportunities created by the Covid pandemic and the eCommerce surge that followed. Founded in 2019, our mission is to reshape the eCommerce parcel delivery experience through smart locker technology. Our end-to-end solutions modernise and enhance last-mile logistics, making parcel deliveries more efficient, cost-effective, and convenient.

Over the past year, we have experienced exponential growth, with deployments skyrocketing from 1,289 in 2023 to 4,789 in 2024, representing a 279% increase. Our locker network expanded from 2,300 locations to 6,700, reflecting a 290% growth. This rapid expansion is also supported by our flagship product, Bloq.it NEXT, which has set a new benchmark in the industry with its
advanced off-grid, battery-powered, and uncompromised capabilities. NEXT offers unprecedented flexibility with its autonomous functions, featuring advanced elements such as 10” colour touch screens, QR and barcode scanners, and label printers, making it a game-changer for deployment in areas without complex infrastructure needs. With revenue growth of over 101% year over-year, Bloq.it has established itself, in such a short time, as the backbone of this industry.

LB: Where has that growth come from?

MJ: Our growth is fuelled by our ability to innovate and adapt to market shifts, such as transitioning from beach lockers to logistics solutions in response to the eCommerce boom during the pandemic. A significant milestone in our journey was the Vinted Go partnership, which started with installations in Paris in 2022 and has now expanded to over 4,000 lockers across France. The pilot in France has been so successful that an expansion to other countries is in the works for 2025. Additionally, the rise in consumer demand for convenient and sustainable delivery options has
accelerated the adoption of smart lockers, positioning us as a key enabler of eCommerce logistics.

LB: Who are your customers, and how do you work with them to achieve success?

MJ: We began working with leading global logistics providers early on. Heavy hitters such as DHL eCommerce and Vinted Go have been in our portfolio since 2022, and we have recently announced our partnership with GLS, one of the major parcel services providers operating in Europe. Our approach is deeply collaborative – we work closely with our partners to design customised solutions that optimise their delivery networks and enhance the end-user experience. By leveraging real-time data analytics, AI-driven routing, and seamless API integrations, we empower our customers to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainability goals.

We have been active also in the postal sector, working with operators such as PPL in the Czech Republic, and LockerItalia, in Italy. This year, we are also launching our entry into the Open
Network segment, with DeinFach (formerly known as OneStopBox), in Germany. While our customers initially choose Bloq.it for our industry-leading smart locker solutions, our ultimate goal is being met with them choosing us also for our company culture, collaborative attitude, and forwardthinking philosophy.

LB: How do you collaborate with your partners, and to what effect?

MJ: At Bloq.it, collaboration is at the core of our success. We believe that working alongside industry players, including those traditionally considered competitors, drives mutual growth and
innovation. A good example is when a major operator in Europe wanted some very customised lockers to be deployed in rural areas. Where most might go to look for solutions elsewhere, here at Bloq.it we are confident to dive in no matter the circumstances, and our customers are well aware already. Our partnerships are built on trust, flexibility, and shared goals. Whether it’s developing
customised locker solutions for Vinted Go or integrating with DHL eCommerce existing logistics operations, we ensure that our technology seamlessly complements their existing infrastructure, delivering tangible benefits such as faster deliveries, quicker diagnostics, and growing customer satisfaction.

LB: How does Bloq.it balance working with competitors while maintaining a unique value proposition?

MJ: We recognise that the logistics industry is an interconnected ecosystem where collaboration can drive overall efficiency. And that is crucial in our mind on the end-goal of bettering urban logistics and bringing it to the 21st century. Our technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with various logistics providers without compromising our competitive edge. Our focus on neutrality, scalability, and data-driven insights allows us to support all players in achieving their goals while maintaining our distinct market position.

LB: Can you share an example of how Bloq.it has successfully collaborated without compromising another client working within the same segment?

MJ: A great example is our partnership with multiple logistics providers in key European markets. Despite competing interests, we’ve implemented shared locker networks that allow multiple
carriers to benefit from our technology. This form of cooperation has led to increased operational efficiency, cost savings, and generated more interest for all stakeholders involved.

LB: What are the key challenges in collaborating with multiple clients from the same segment, and how does Bloq.it address them?

MJ: One of the biggest challenges is ensuring a level playing field where all partners feel they benefit equally. Bloq.it addresses this by providing transparent, data-driven insights and a modular approach that allows partners to scale operations independently while leveraging shared infrastructure. Our commitment to neutrality and technological flexibility ensures that collaboration is mutually beneficial.

LB: What geographic territories do you service?

MJ: Our smart locker solutions are deployed across multiple European markets, present in countries such as France, Czech Republic, Italy, and Portugal. We are now entering the Open Network segment by launching with DeinFach in Germany, starting in Berlin. Our most recent partnership with GLS will enable our presence in Spain, with plans also for a wider footprint in Italy. Our partnership with Vinted Go will also be expanding to other markets very soon. With our expanding partnerships and increasing demand, we are continuously growing our footprint to new regions, ensuring our solutions are accessible to a wider audience.

LB: What is Bloq.it NEXT’s differentiator, and how has its launch been received?

MJ: Bloq.it NEXT, announced last year at Deliver Europe and showcased in Parcel+Post Expo, represents the pinnacle of off-grid smart locker technology, offering enhanced security, modularity, and seamless scalability. It features state-of-the-art IoT capabilities, a user-friendly interface, and advanced reporting tools, making it the preferred choice for major logistics providers. Since its launch, NEXT has seen widespread adoption; even though coming in relatively late in the market, it managed to garner the interest of major logistics operators who were waiting patiently for a better solution to arise. This was the case of Vinted, which opted for NEXT although other locker providers had their autonomous solutions in the market for over a few years already. With over 12,000 NEXT lockers planned for deployment in 2025, this will contribute significantly to our overall market expansion.

LB: What stands Bloq.it as a company apart from other operators in the space?

MJ: What truly sets us apart is our end-to-end approach, combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of logistics operations. Our rapid deployment capabilities, data-driven insights, and commitment to always go beyond the norm make us a trusted partner for logistics companies worldwide. By offering superior technology, our unique approach ensures that customers resonate with Miha Jagodic showcased Bloq.it NEXT at the Parcel+Post Expo our values, attitude, and philosophy. We really do work hard to create long-term relationships based on trust, innovation, and our standard of excellence. Another differentiator that definitely impacts our leads is our flexible production network, with manufacturing units across Europe, allowing us to rapidly scale production based on market demand while maintaining quality and efficiency.

LB: Finally, what are your ambitions for 2025?

MJ: What a year it was in 2024! But that is already in the past and all of our attention is on the next few years. Looking ahead to 2025, of course we aim to consolidate our position as the world’s largest provider of unattended delivery solutions. Our focus will be on expanding our network further in Europe, enhancing our technology stack, and forging new strategic partnerships. As we continue our exponential growth trajectory, we want to ensure that customers not only recognise us for our products, but also embrace Bloq.it for our mindset, adaptability, and dedication to shaping the future of last-mile, thus becoming the backbone of the whole industry.

With exciting projects in the pipeline that we can’t name just yet, and with already planned launches with GLS and DeinFach, and the expansion of the Vinted Go network powered by Bloq.it, we are confident in our ability to continue growing and impacting more and more the development of urban logistics in Europe, and soon worldwide.

LB: Thank you, Miha, and good luck for the future.

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Packfleet and Who Gives A Crap ship over 9m rolls

Posted on by David Priestman

All-electric courier Packfleet and Who Gives A Crap have ended crappy deliveries for Londoners, with over nine million toilet rolls delivered across the capital. 

It’s not just customers that are benefitting, it’s the planet too, with the brand saving approximately 54,500kg of carbon emissions thanks to Packfleet’s ultra-efficient, all-electric fleet.

These figures will only continue to increase, with Packfleet on course to ship over 10 million rolls by the end of 2024.

From working with Packfleet alone, Who Gives A Crap is set to reduce the total carbon emitted by its UK-EU region by 0.6%.

To mark the new partnership, the Who Gives A Crap team recently became Packfleet delivery drivers for the day – bringing ‘random acts of crappiness’ directly to customers’ doorsteps.

Londoners were treated to free cupcakes alongside their toilet roll, with furry friends being offered branded dog biscuits.

As a result of the partnership, Who Gives A Crap has seen a 25% drop in customer queries on the whereabouts of their orders, thanks to the introduction of Packfleet’s transparent, user-friendly recipient experience.

Packfleet’s delivery failure rate is 10x less than traditional couriers, resulting in over 98% of Who Gives A Crap customers receiving their bog roll on time – an over 4% improvement on the UK industry average – cutting down on resource-intensive redeliveries.

The two B Corp certified brands teamed up in October 2023, and have been disrupting their respective sectors together ever since.

Tristan Thomas, CEO of Packfleet, said: “We’ve achieved a lot in the short time Packfleet has been working with Who Gives A Crap, with both customers and the environment seeing the upshot. 

“Our close relationship with the Who Gives A Crap team has allowed us to do some amazing work, including letting them experience what it’s like to be a Packfleet driver first hand. 

“Whilst we can’t promise to deliver toilet rolls directly to the bathroom door, we are confident we can maintain the high standard we’ve achieved and continue to put a stop to crappy deliveries.” 

Phillipa Taylor, Head of European Supply Chain at Who Gives A Crap, added: “We chose to work with Packfleet due to their carbon neutral deliveries, tech platform and customer focus.

“Deliver and Delight is one of our core values at Who Gives A Crap. Packfleet have consistently lived up to this, with reliable and excellent service, week in, week out – driving down our customer tickets. 

“The Packfleet team continually comes to the table with proactive ideas and opportunities on how we can further improve our customer experience. 

“Surprising our customers on delivery day was a real highlight for us. We couldn’t have done this without Packfleet’s trust and cooperation. They have been great to work with and have enabled us to get closer to our customer experience. Thank you, Packfleet.”

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Last Mile Solution Centre

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Fortna, a leading automation and software company for the full logistics value chain, has announced the development of the FORTNA Last Mile Solution Center. By leveraging a team of industry experts, the Last Mile Solution Center will support parcel and distribution businesses in automating last mile operations to improve processes, increase productivity and reduce costs.

Backed by over 15 years of experience in last mile automation and an installed base of more than 450 automated systems, the FORTNA Last Mile Solution Center is committed to maximizing last mile networks and operations with proven modular and bi-directional conveyors and sorters. The FORTNA Last Mile Solution Center introduces modularity and standardization of last mile automation to help organizations meet an operation’s needs for scalability, flexibility and simplified maintenance.

Additional benefits include a portfolio of solutions designed to fit any site-specific requirements in the network, future-proof operations and provide built-in ability to keep pace with business growth.
Downstream optimization is crucial to increasing throughput and driving cost reduction in a system. A recent statistic from the United Nations estimates that by 2030, the population living in big cities will increase by 55%, making last mile delivery critical for logistic companies. Last mile logistics centres are becoming even more crucial to the effectiveness of the entire distribution network. By optimizing downstream capabilities, companies can improve overall efficiency by reducing cycle times, optimizing delivery processes and tracking and visibility of parcels by using intelligent parcel data. This ensures a fast and reliable delivery experience for end consumers.

“FORTNA is an experienced partner to our customers with a comprehensive solution portfolio and deep knowledge and understanding of their needs,” says Antonio Amadasi, FORTNA Vice President, Last Mile Solution Center. The Last Mile Solution Center brings additional value to our mission and further helps to optimize downstream operations and reach positive business outcomes. The team will also address any further and dedicated product improvement in order to perfectly fulfil our customers’ needs”.

The FORTNA Last Mile Solution Center will partner with parcel and distribution companies globally by offering complete network solutions, including operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.

Logistics Sector “hits the skids”

Posted on by David Priestman

The latest UK Government data shows a generally perky July for most business sectors, but transport & storage companies reported gloomier results. Home delivery expert ParcelHero warns transport businesses are the barometer for the economy and July’s rosy picture could be masking future problems.

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show British businesses had a generally upbeat July, with all sectors reporting increased turnover and demand and cost rises finally slowing. However, the home delivery expert ParcelHero says transport & storage businesses reported less rosy numbers than many other sectors. It warns this should set off alarms as the transport sector is frequently the barometer of the UK economy.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: “The latest ONS Business Insights results reveal many industry sectors had a strong July. Increased turnover was reported by 14.1% of manufacturers, 15.9% of construction businesses and 24.1% of retailers. Overall, 1-in-6 (17%) of businesses reported that their turnover was higher in July 2023 compared with June. However, delivery and supply chain businesses missed out on this upturn.

“Just 7.5% of transport & storage companies reported an increase in turnover in July. That’s the worst result of all UK business sectors except real estate (6.4%). Most transport companies (53%) reported their turnover stayed the same while a hefty 29.1% actually reported a decrease in turnover. Only accommodation & food businesses reported a larger decrease in turnover (35.9%) in July.

“Looking ahead, businesses across all industrial sectors were asked to give their expectations for September. Overall, 18% expect their income to increase, up from the 15% that reported this for August. Meanwhile, 55% report that they expect their turnover to stay the same. However, transport & storage businesses are gloomier. Just 16.7% expect an increase in trade in September, less than the average, with 61.5% saying turnover will probably remain the same and 13.6% predicting a decrease. In contrast, 19.1% of construction businesses and 18.1% of retailers think their September turnover will increase.

“Overall, the ONS report reveals strong signs inflation is finally easing, with just 1-in-8 (12%) of businesses reporting an increase in the price of their goods or services in July, the lowest level since peaking in March 2022. Transport & storage companies always operate on notoriously tight margins. In July, just 5.1% of transport companies increased their prices, 70.6% kept them the same and 8.2% actually decreased their prices. In contrast, 15.9% of construction companies put up the price of their services and 17.4% of retailers increased prices.

“One of the most encouraging results overall for UK businesses was an increase in domestic demand for goods and services. More than 1-in-10 (11%) of businesses reported an increase in demand compared with June. Once more, however, transport & storage lagged behind. Only 6.8% of companies reported an increase in demand for UK services, with 57.6% showing demand holding steady and 16.1% revealing a drop in demand. In contrast, 12.3% of construction companies reported an uptick in demand and 17.6% of retailers.

“Any increase in demand for international work for the transport & storage sector was too small to register. That’s in contrast to rises of 3% in manufacturing and 3.6% in retail. Global demand remained the same for 21.8% of transport companies and fell for 8.9% of them.

“The one bright point for transport & storage sector companies was that the increase in the prices of goods or services they bought was fractionally less than the average for UK businesses. The proportion of British firms reporting increased costs was 30%; this percentage has fallen over time and is the lowest figure reported since a peak of 50% in March 2022. Overall, 28.8% of transport sector companies said the prices they paid for goods and services increased, 48.6% of transport businesses said their costs had remained the same and 3.4% said their costs were actually down in July. To put that into context, 38.6% of construction companies said the prices they paid for goods and services rose in July, as did 32.5% of retail companies. However, only 15.8% of manufacturers reported an increase in their costs, perhaps highlighting less turbulent times for global supply chains.

“Despite transport & storage sector companies’ July woes, the domestic and global logistics market still shows longer-term growth. In 2021, it was worth $8 trillion; by 2027, that will be $13.7 trillion. However, it is a fast-changing, agile industry. Since the end of Covid lockdowns, some parts of the home delivery market have yo-yoed. Companies with aging infrastructure and a fixed cost base have struggled.”

Stuart Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Report

Posted on by David Priestman

Last mile delivery specialist Stuart has published its annual Sustainability Report, sharing its progress towards building a sustainable logistics organisation.

The report features renewed commitments to reducing emissions, congestion, and air pollution. These commitments include reaching net-zero across its operations by 2035, reducing absolute emissions (the total quantity of greenhouse gas emissions being emitted) by 42% by 2030, and switching to 100% renewable energy in offices and delivery hubs by 2025.

In addition to its operational targets, Stuart is working to support its courier partners in decreasing delivery emissions and addressing the impact of its base activities, including its offices, employees and equipment, to fuel its transition to net-zero. This involves both engaging with its suppliers to encourage them to set net-zero targets by 2027, as well as starting a pilot programme to support its courier partners to transition to electric vehicles.

Stuart’s approach is focused on collaboration – seeking to bring together businesses, couriers, urban communities, and its employees, to deliver on its core mission of providing a socially and environmentally responsible model of urban logistics for its customers and local communities.

Cornelia Raportaru, CEO at Stuart, said: “By 2025, cities will account for over half of global consumption. We understand the devastating impact this will have if we do not play our part. With a science-based yet innovative approach and our remarkable team’s passion for sustainability, we are committed to making a difference today, for tomorrow’s world.

“However, we can only achieve a net zero shift by fostering partnerships right across the value chain.  We want – and need – to create a space for dialogue with our communities, employees, customers and partners on how we can build a sustainable future together.”

CLICK HERE to read the full Sustainability Report.

 

 

 

Kinaxia Agrees 5-Year Contract with ArrowXL

Posted on by David Priestman

Kinaxia Logistics has agreed a five-year contract to provide all domestic linehaul and trunking services for two-person home delivery specialist ArrowXL.

ArrowXL, which has its headquarters in Wigan and further sites at Worcester, Airdrie, Carrickfergus and Enfield, delivers more than two million customer orders a year for retailers, ecommerce companies and manufacturers. These include domestic appliances, furniture, sofas, beds and mattresses and garden items.

Kinaxia group company Mark Thompson Transport has been providing a large proportion of ArrowXL’s trailer-based client collections, returns and carousel movements since 2019.

Now the arrangement is being expanded and will see Mark Thompson Transport – which is part of Kinaxia’s primary sector division – assume responsibility for all domestic linehaul and trunking services.

Mark Thompson Transport already has operating centres and dedicated drivers based at ArrowXL’s hubs in Wigan and Worcester, and will open new ones in Enfield and Airdrie, as well as providing all units and trailers required to fulfil the contract.

Following the deal, 14 drivers employed by ArrowXL will transfer to Mark Thompson Transport under TUPE regulations and more drivers will be recruited in line with the expansion resulting from the deal.

Richard Smith, managing director of Kinaxia’s primary sector business, said: “We are excited to be extending our relationship with ArrowXL and welcoming new drivers into the Kinaxia family.

“This five-year contract is the result of a lot of hard work by the ArrowXL and Mark Thompson Transport teams and is a reflection of the service that we have been providing over the last four years.

“We are now able to build on this joint success and further cement our partnership.

“At the same time, the arrangement reinforces our nationwide capabilities in the primary sector and creates growth opportunities across a wide area of the UK as well as enabling us to offer more flexibility to our existing customers.”

Charlie Shiels, CEO of ArrowXL, said: “This decision is a natural extension of our current arrangements. We both work really well together, and this change will help us to create more and better opportunities for our many clients. This could be in improved first mile capability or higher levels of service excellence.

“ArrowXL and Mark Thompson Transport are a good cultural fit and both put customer service at the heart of their operational capabilities.

“We look forward to creating an even more innovative relationship as we get to know even more about each other’s strengths and capabilities.”

Kinaxia is a top 15 UK logistics group employing more than 1,600 staff nationwide with a fleet of over 850 vehicles which transport goods for the retail, leisure, food and drink and manufacturing sectors.

The group, which has its headquarters in Macclesfield, Cheshire, has 2.7 million sq ft of warehouse facilities nationwide, offering contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management, storage services and a complete distribution service.

REPORT: Rise of E-commerce and Returns Culture

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Körber’s 2023 State of Shipping and Returns Survey reveals that 70% of e-commerce consumers have experienced a delayed online order in the last six months, affecting their overall view of the brand.

Consumer behaviour, preferences and expectations continue to challenge manufacturers, retailers and 3PLs alike. Körber’s 2023 State of Shipping and Returns survey finds that 90% of respondents are less likely to buy from a brand again after a poor online shopping experience, while 29% say they are increasingly willing to share a negative review online. These are among the central findings from online shoppers in 2023.

The recent survey gathered insights from 2,200 consumers across eight global regions on their post-purchase experience between the moment they click the “buy” button and when the product reaches their doorstep. A significant number of consumers (70%) experienced shipping delays without any reason provided for the delay (35%). With consumers looking for speed and convenience as the deciding factors when they purchase online, these delays drive customer dissatisfaction and affect brand decisions.

“Customer expectations have only grown more complicated post-COVID,” explained Chad Collins, CEO Software at Körber Business Area Supply Chain. “Körber’s latest research reveals that a good shopping experience can make a loyal customer for life. On the contrary, a poor experience can leave a wake of destruction. The importance of a frictionless customer experience cannot be emphasised enough. Brands need seamlessly integrated technologies to overcome these challenges and ensure that consumer expectations are met.”

One area of opportunity for businesses is enhancing shipping visibility and accountability to help avoid unexpected delays. And when delays invariably occur, have a plan in place for customer communication to update expectations and provide potential appeasement to create customer loyalty. 38% of consumers were not offered any compensation, refund or discounts on their recent delayed order, yet 83% indicated that is important to them.

Körber’s 2023 State of Shipping and Returns Survey looked at changing consumer expectations and what drives customer satisfaction. In February 2023, Körber polled 2,200 consumers across the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, Germany, France and the UK.

CLICK HERE to access the full report.

 

DeliveryApp appoints new CEO

Posted on by David Priestman

Manchester-based delivery tech firm, DeliveryApp has appointed a new CEO to oversee the company as it continues to experience rapid growth as the fastest-growing deltech company in the UK. Dwain McDonald, who formally sat in the position as CEO of DPD Group UK, will assist the company in its expansion strategy, through his vast experience in leadership, innovation and technology in the logistics and delivery sector.

As McDonald takes on the role as CEO, founder Lance Jones will move into the position of Executive Chairman of the company, working alongside McDonald in furthering DeliveryApp’s growth as a tech leader in the space.

Having worked at DPD for over three decades, McDonald is an industry expert in the logistics space. During his 12 years as CEO, he drove DPD from a mid-tier B2B carrier to one of the top home delivery couriers in the UK market, during his 12 years as CEO. His appointment at DeliveryApp demonstrates the company’s ambitions for 2023 and beyond in becoming market leaders in the deltech space.

“DeliveryApp’s goal is to change the logistics industry for the better through their focus on technology and ethical driver treatment, resulting in more transparent customer care.” McDonald commented on his appointment.

“With the logistics sector under more pressure than ever before, the ethical treatment and wellbeing of drivers is ingrained in DeliveryApp’s DNA. After seeing the company’s strong commitment to employee culture and the forward-looking tracking technology that it has developed, I am excited to become part of a young and expanding company in this competitive industry.”

DeliveryApp already has a network of over 18,000 registered drivers and plans to expand this even further throughout 2023 to keep up with growing demand from UK brands to offer dedicated and on demand same-day delivery services.

Commenting on the appointment of McDonald, who replaces him as CEO, Lance Jones, new Executive Chairman at DeliveryApp, said: “Dwain’s leadership and experience will be instrumental to DeliveryApp’s mission to become the leading on demand technology delivery platform in the world. Setting strategic goals and supporting technological advancements, Dwain’s appointment will help the company achieve industry firsts to support consumers and businesses and revolutionise their on demand dedicated delivery capabilities.”

Mark Stott, founder and CEO of the property development firm Vita Group and lead investor at DeliveryApp also looked to the future of the company upon McDonald’s appointment: “We’re incredibly confident that Dwain’s appointment as CEO will cement DeliveryApp as a trailblazer in the logistics sector. His experience will ensure DeliveryApp continues to evolve and provide business or retailers with robust delivery services built on a foundation of technology that prioritises customer needs. With Lance stepping up to Executive Chairman, the team at DeliveryApp are excited for the next phase in revolutionising the industry.”

 

Partners to Deliver Unified Last-Mile Experience

Posted on by David Priestman

FarEye today announced a strategic partnership with Syscons to deliver a streamlined, end-to-end pre- and post-purchase last-mile delivery experience for retailers, fashion brands and manufacturers in Europe. The FarEye delivery management platform becomes part of Syscons’ supply chain and omnichannel solutions they support and implement, with the aim to simplify and expedite customers’ implementations, leading to faster time-to-market and increased value on their investments. FarEye will work closely with Syscons with customers particularly in Southern Europe to deploy their last-mile solutions.

FarEye will work with both divisions of Syscons Group – Syscons Interactive and Syscons Industries- which supports fashion brands and retailers in their digital transformation journey and manufacturers in their direct-to-consumer transformation journey. Together, the companies will provide a superior last-mile technology platform with Syscons’ omnichannel portfolio for a complete end-to-end commerce solution. This partnership also combines Syscons’ SAP expertise as well as FarEye’s SAP-certified last-mile and parcel visibility capabilities to bridge the gap between strategy and execution of the complex transition from serving business to serving consumers.

“One of the biggest challenges for companies in implementing a last-mile platform into their technology stack is the sheer complexity and volume of technology to integrate – from WMS to OMS to ERP,” said Suryansh Jalan, president, FarEye. “Combining our last-mile platform with Syscons’ expertise deploying large-scale omnichannel solutions solves this challenge, leading to faster deployments and value for companies as they look to turn the order-to-door delivery experience into a competitive advantage.”

FarEye’s products are oriented to key areas in the last-mile delivery journey – Ship, Track, Route, Execute, and Experience. Underpinned by the FarEye delivery management platform, FarEye ensures deliveries are on-time and accurate, from order-to-door. Companies rely on FarEye to increase operational efficiencies in the last mile, and create brand loyalty through successful delivery experiences.

“We share a common vision with FarEye to ensure a superior consumer experience. Combining both our technologies and our expertise strengthens our collective ability to help brands and retailers create efficient, successful commerce strategies that drive revenue and lower costs,” said Fabio Arrigoni, Partner, Syscons Interactive.

“We look forward to expediting manufacturing last-mile delivery strategies together for our joint customers,” said Pierpaolo Russo, Managing Director, Syscons Industries.

FarEye’s Delivery Management platform turns deliveries into a competitive advantage. Retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics companies use FarEye’s unique combination of orchestration, real-time visibility, and branded customer experiences to simplify complex last-mile delivery logistics. The FarEye platform allows businesses to increase consumer loyalty and satisfaction, reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies. FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and five offices globally. FarEye, First Choice for Last Mile.

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