Hermes UK is set to more than double its peak-season delivery capacity by winter 2014 comparedwith peak season 2012 as the parcel network continues to invest in hub and delivery infrastructure
to support strong growth in demand for home deliveries.The company is forecast to handle a total of 187 million parcels in 2013, up from 163 millionlast year, and was one of several delivery companies to cap its peak season volumes last Christmasin order to maintain service quality to customers.
Sales and marketing director Gary Winter acknowledged that growth in the market was one of thecompany’s biggest challenges, but thanks to substantial financial investments in its hub anddelivery network, the company’s capacity for 2014 “will be well over double what it was for peak2012”, he told CEP-Research.
Investments include doubling its network of hubs to four. Its 33,000 sqm hub in Tamworth in theWest Midlands is due to open by early August and a £25 million new hub in Warrington in northwestEngland is on track to be operational by April 2014, Winter confirmed. The company is alsoexpanding its network of couriers by more than 25%, from around 7,500 to 9,500.
Meanwhile its network of ParcelShops, providing alternative delivery points and return servicesfor its SME B2C product myHermes, has already reached 2,000 outlets since launching last summer andis set to expand further to 3,000 outlets this year.
