Evri “ready to support customers through a successful Peak”
Evri Group has invested £32.2 million into infrastructure, technology, automation and operational capabilities so far this year and as it continues preparations for Peak. This forms part of an overall investment of 100 million for the financial year.
The announcement comes as Evri prepares for its busiest period of the year as online shopping spikes ahead of Christmas, where last year volumes entering network increased almost 40%. During Peak, the business processes millions of additional parcels generated by Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas trading season, requiring significant investment in network infrastructure, technology and operational resilience. Following this investment, Evri now has the capacity to handle 4.9 million parcels a day – around half a million more parcels a day than last year.
Evri Group operates the UK’s Largest dedicated parcel network, Seven national sorting hubs, 80 depots, more than 500 delivery units and more than £14 million has been invested in capacity-focused initiatives to date. This includes continued expansion of Evri’s parcel locker network, enhancements at the Barnsley super hub, investment in Peak-supporting infrastructure and technology, and a range of network improvements designed to strengthen resilience and support future growth.
One of the most significant projects completed during the year has been the latest phase of development at the Barnsley super hub, including the introduction of a third-tier operation that further strengthens the site’s role as a critical part of Evri’s national network.
Alongside investments in physical infrastructure, Evri has continued to invest significantly in technology and automation, strengthening the technology platforms that support customers, consumers and couriers across the UK. Funding has supported the development of the company’s Evri-ware technology platform, expansion of automation capabilities and deployment of new hardware across operational sites to help improve efficiency, visibility and service performance. In addition, Evri is now checking 90 million delivery photos a month using Verisnap, a first to first-to-market AI tool developed by the business.
The business has also invested in colleague technology and systems designed to support operational excellence and create a better experience for employees, couriers and customers alike.
In addition, Evri has continued investment in its fulfilment capabilities opening a new site at Barnsley, strengthening its end-to-end logistics proposition and supporting customers seeking integrated fulfilment and delivery solutions both here in the UK and to the 220 destinations it delivers to worldwide.
Evri has also launched a recruitment drive to help delivery Christmas, welcoming 7,000 additional community couriers and 3,000 colleagues into the business.
The investments form part of Evri’s broader strategy to build additional capacity, improve service, create greater operational flexibility and ensure the business is well positioned to support customers during Peak and beyond.
Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri Group, said: “Peak is the most important and demanding period of the year for many of our customers. Preparing for it isn’t something we start in the weeks leading up to Christmas. It’s the result of sustained investment, planning and innovation throughout the year to ensure we’re ready when it matters most.
“This year we have already invested £32.2 million in infrastructure, technology and operational improvements ahead of peak but this forms part of a wider investment into the networks of £100m planned before the end of the financial year.
“From expanding our locker network and strengthening our sortation capabilities through to investing in automation and technology, these programmes are helping us build a stronger, smarter and more resilient network.
“The investments we are making today will help ensure we are ready to support customers through a successful Peak while creating the capacity, capability and flexibility needed to support future growth.”
As Evri continues to invest in its operations, technology and people, the company remains focused on delivering a reliable Peak experience for retailers and consumers, while building the long-term capability needed to support the continued growth of ecommerce across the UK.
