DHL builds B2B network with centre in North UK

DHL Global Mail is ramping up its national business-to-business (B2B) network, as part of its assault on the deregulated postal market.

The company is opening a mail centre in Warrington, Cheshire – the first since DHL’s acquisition of business mail specialist Smartmail International last year.

Smartmail already provides London regions with a B2B collection and delivery service. The northern centre’s unveiling marks its full integration into DHL.

DHL says the opening represents a major step in its plan to create a national network to rival Royal Mail within the next 18 months.

John Ivers, UK managing director of DHL Global, comments: “The fundamental factor missing in today’s mail service is reliability. By building our own network, we have 100 per cent control over this.”

Gregor McGregor, chief executive of Postwatch, states: “Customers want regular, reliable postal services, and this new service hits the mark.”