UK Parceline launches 'Homecall' service
Parceline has today announced a major move into the fast-growing home delivery market through a new partnership with Parcelnet, the specialists in final mile delivery to residential addresses.
Launched under a new brand – ‘homecall’ – the service will begin on 1st June and is aimed at customers sending up to 600 parcels per night. Collections will be made by Parceline’s nationwide network of 1,700 vehicles operating from 42 depots whilst deliveries will be handled via Parcelnet’s 143 sub-depots and 5,000 ‘local couriers’.
Parceline Sales Director Dwain McDonald said: “Internet shopping has seen home delivery volumes rise from 15m to 420m shipments in the last six years. Our partnership with Parcelnet gives us instant access to this market, without the need to build our own home delivery network.”
Parcelnet already makes 85 million deliveries per year for big brand clients such as Next, Cotton Traders, Boden and Charles Tyrwhitt, but homecall means the company can now carry goods for smaller companies who need a home delivery service. Typical items will include homeware, healthcare, gifts, DIY, clothing, DVDs and books. The service is not time definite, but delivery slots include early morning, evenings and Saturdays.
Parcelnet Commercial Director Christine Key said: “Parceline’s excellent nationwide collection network means we can now address the needs of smaller volume customers. We looked at several potential partners for this project and Parceline ticked all our boxes in terms of IT, sales, customer service and professionalism.”
Dwain McDonald added: “Final mile delivery to home addresses is a real challenge for traditional B2B express companies. What impressed us about Parcelnet is that their 5,000 couriers, each with a small postcode area, have exceptional local knowledge. They know when their customers are most likely to be at home, or even if they can meet them in the school playground to make a delivery! That personal touch will help ensure the success of this exciting new service.”
