Customers of cult UK model railway manufacturer Hornby, maker of Thomas The Tank Engine models and numerous other collector sets, will be able to pick up their prized purchases directly from a train station in future under a new logistics agreement with DPD and parcel shop partner Doddle.
The models manufacturer announced that it will switch from UK Mail, its previous main delivery partner, to DPD, which will enable it to offer train station parcel collection through Doddle in future.
In addition to its traditional delivery service, DPD recently launched its new 'Pickup' initiative, which will give consumers the opportunity to pick up their online orders from a range of retail locations across the UK. Doddle, the UK's first fully dedicated, staffed, online shopping collection and returns service located in train stations, is part of this network with some 35 parcel shop locations at present.
Richard Ames, Hornby Chief Executive, said: “DPD runs an award-winning delivery service and with Doddle as a partner enthusiasts will have the convenience of being able to collect their model train purchases from a major train station near them.”
In addition, Hornby said it will launch an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (Microsoft Dynamics AX) to upgrade its IT platform to improve its data capabilities across sales, logistics and finance in the UK and later across Europe.
