Hermes expands south west operations

Hermes, the consumer delivery specialist, is strengthening its infrastructure across the South West of England by moving its parcel processing operation in Portbury to a new build facility in Avonmouth, near Bristol. As a result, it is anticipated that Hermes’ 50-strong team of employees will be able to process around 9.5 million parcels per year.

Hermes decided to leave Portbury after 21 years so the company could increase its capacity in the region in light of projected parcel volumes for 2016, especially during the peak season.

The Avonmouth facility measures 43,000 sq ft, which is more than double the size of the previous depot, and provides an ideal operational layout that allows loading on three elevations, as well as efficient working practices.

The delivery firm has also bolstered its infrastructure along the South Coast by relocating its depot in Southampton. Hermes had occupied a new depot in Hedge End. The high specification facility was built in 2011 and incorporates a mix of dock levellers and drive-in doors. It will house a team of 60 employees, and annual volumes are expected to surpass 10.8 million.

The relocation of both facilities follows the news that Hermes has begun work constructing a state-of-the-art automated parcel distribution hub located in Rugby, Warwickshire. The 270,000 square foot Midlands Super Hub is the result of a £31m investment and will have the capacity to process up to 1.1 million parcels every day.

Martijn de Lange, Chief Operating Officer at Hermes, said: “With online shopping volumes continuing to rise, carriers have a responsibility to their retail clients to continuously invest in their networks. By moving to new premises in Avonmouth and Southampton we have significantly strengthened our infrastructure which will enable us to further improve the services and solutions we provide to our customers not just in the South and South West of England, but across the whole of the UK.”