Advancing automation

As parcel volumes continue to rise in our network, we are moving forward with our strategy to increase automation to better equip our business to take advantage of accelerating trends.

Construction work has now begun on our second parcels hub, which is situated at the Daventry International Rail Freight Interchange (DIRFT) in the East Midlands.

DIRFT is one of the most successful logistics parks in the UK. From its location in the logistics ‘golden triangle’, at the heart of the UK’s motorway and rail network, the Hub will have excellent road links to the M1 and M6 motorways, access to the West Coast Main Line, as well as many of our customers’ warehousing and fulfilment centres.

Press play to hear chief operating officer, Achim Dünnwald, tell us why we need parcel hubs, and colleagues’ views on how the new hub will help the business grow.

‘We’re planning to open the Midlands Hub in 2023,’ said Achim. ‘From a customer’s point of view, Daventry is a great place as it’s where a lot of the big senders are located.

‘The site ticks many boxes, in terms of size, accessibility by road, rail and so forth. It’s also just a few miles from our National Distribution Centre (NDC).’

National network and integration director, Simon Barker, said: ‘Our second parcel hub in the Midlands will be our largest hub in the country and will really help us capitalise on parcel growth.’