DHL takes stake in UK parcel delivery firm

DHL will take a significant minority stake in Evri, a large, dedicated parcel delivery company in the United Kingdom.

That includes merging its e-commerce division with the company.

While the deal brings Evri into the letter market for the first time, it also enables it to leverage the vast DHL international network.

The merged Evri business will deliver over 1 billion parcels and a further 1 billion business letters annually and is poised to bring significant benefits to consumers and businesses by offering greater choice and cost competitive solutions.

Evri’s courier offer will be complemented with the addition of DHL eCommerce’s premium van delivery network.

Rebranded Evri Premium, a network of DHL eCommerce, this will remain a dedicated and secure, separate network that will offer fast, time-sensitive deliveries with enhanced shipping security protection for high-value and large items for B2B and B2C parcel services.

The new Group will include an expanded international capability for inbound and outbound parcels to complement Evri’s own international network by making use of DHL eCommerce’s extensive expertise in cross-border parcel shipping and out-of-home network of nearly 150, 000 global access points.

This includes faster transit times across the world with access to DHL’s own eCommerce network in Europe, the US and selected Asian markets such as India.

Notably, Evri is entering the UK business letter market for the first time, with DHL’s UK Mail retained in the new combined Group and offering what it calls a best-in-class mail service. This will also offer e-commerce businesses more options for sending lighter-weight items.

The merger of DHL eCommerce UK with Evri, according to Martijn de Lange, Evri CEO, will create the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the UK.

“Over the last decade Evri has grown ten-fold in size and this transaction will further expand our access into the European and global e-commerce markets,” said De Lange.

“Since Apollo-managed funds came on board as our owners, they have backed our intent to drive forward and grow to become the UK’s premier parcel delivery business.”

Customers, additionally, will benefit from the Group’s new combined out-of-home shop and locker network parcel delivery and collection which will be the UK’s largest.

“DHL eCommerce and Evri both stand for top service quality, reliability, and sustainability, which makes this partnership a great fit for our customers,” said Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce.

“Together, we’ll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching, and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market. By joining forces in the UK, we’re creating a one-stop shop for all our customers’ parcel needs here and giving them better delivery options from around the world.”