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 the company 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 its 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, the company 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, it 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 7000 additional community couriers and 3000 colleagues into the business.
The investments form part of a 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.
‘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 is the result of sustained investment, planning and innovation throughout the year to ensure we are 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 £100 million 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,’ said Martijn De Lange, CEO of Evri Group.