Half a million German consumers and firms are now using more than 700 DHL Packstations across thecountry to drop off and collect their parcels.
DHL Germany said that Christine Schnellhammer from Munich was the 500,000th customer to signup for the innovative automated parcel service. The degree of acceptance among customersdemonstrates that what began as a DHL pilot project four years ago has proven to be a successful,nationwide 24/7 service, the Deutsche Post subsidiary said.
“Strong customer response is motivating us to pursue a determined expansion drive for thePackstation,” said Steffen Frankenberg, DHL’s Packstation project manager.
The first Packstation machines for private customers were set up in Dortmund and Mainz inJanuary 2002. Today, more than 700 Packstation machines are in use in over 120 towns and cities,with around 30 more by the end of 2007.
The Packstation enables registered customers to collect and send off small packets andparcels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As soon as a shipment is ready for collection customersare sent a text message or e-mail. For customers sending parcels via a Packstation, parcel stampsare available for sale at the machine.
