Yodel could axe 60 depots and hundreds of jobs
UK-based delivery firm Yodel could reportedly close up to half of its depots, as well as cutting hundreds of jobs. Around 60 of its 120 sites face the axe as the company looks to streamline locations where it has more than a single warehouse, trade magazine Commercial Motor revealed.
The magazine reported that of Yodel’s eight national hubs, only “Droitwich, Hatfield, Shaw and Wednesbury will remain open”.
The surplus of warehouses was created after Home Delivery Network’s acquisition of DHL’s domestic arm in the UK early last year. After the acquisition, the company rebranded as Yodel. “As part of the deal some 4,700 people, five hubs and 71 service centres moved over from DHL”, the magazine said.
Upon announcing the deal, it was reported that the combined businesses would have annual sales of more than £600m and would deliver more than 180m parcels a year. The acquisition was aimed at exploiting “the continued growth in a sector that is being driven by the expansion of e-commerce in which there is increasing overlap between B2B and B2C customers,” Post&Parcel reported in January 2011.
A Yodel employee informed Commercial Motor of a manager surplus, stating that “he has been informed that a number of employees will have to re-apply for jobs”.
A company spokesman said: “Yodel is moving towards an integrated single operational platform that will allow it to operate effectively and profitably in a rapidly changing market. This is an ongoing project to deliver service, flexibility and choice to customers and clients. We are carrying this out in a transparent manner and will keep all Yodel colleagues and clients fully informed as our plans take shape.”
The company is owned by the Barclay twins, Sir David and Sir Frederick, who also own the Telegraph newspapers.
Earlier this month, Yodel was been chosen by retailer Hughes Electrical for delivery of all of its online sales.
In February, Yodel appointed Natalie Beckerman to the company’s Executive Board under the position of customer experience director. The newly-created role will take responsibility for representing the views of customers. Last year, Yodel was targeted by the BBC’s Watchdog programme, coming under scrutiny for poor service.
