DHL eCommerce UK-Evri to merge, create premier parcel delivery biz

Evri, one of U.K.'s largest dedicated parcel delivery companies, and DHL eCommerce, the e-commerce logistics specialist of DHL Group, announced a transaction that will see the merger of DHL eCommerce UK with Evri.

"The merged Evri business will deliver over one billion parcels and a further one billion business letters annually. As part of the transaction, DHL Group will acquire a significant minority stake in Evri," says an official release from DHL.

Rebranded Evri Premium - a network of DHL eCommerce, this will remain a dedicated and secure, separate network that will offer fast, time-sensitive deliveries with enhanced shipping security protection for high-value and large items for B2B and B2C parcel services, the release added.

"The new group will include an expanded international capability for inbound and outbound parcels to complement Evri's own international network by making use of DHL eCommerce's extensive expertise in cross-border parcel shipping and out-of-home network of nearly 150,000 global access points. This includes faster transit times across the world with access to DHL's own eCommerce network in Europe, the U.S. and selected Asian markets such as India."

Evri is entering the U.K. business letter market for the first time with DHL's UK Mail retained in the new combined group and offering a best-in-class mail service, the release added. "This will also offer e-commerce businesses more options for sending lighter-weight items. In addition, customers will benefit from the Group's new combined out-of-home shop and locker network parcel delivery and collection which will be the U.K.'s largest."

Martijn de Lange, CEO, Evri says: "We are excited that DHL eCommerce UK will merge with Evri to bring together two highly complementary U.K. businesses - committed to innovation and offering customers and clients the best possible service. By combining Evri's scale and innovation and DHL eCommerce's best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the U.K. Over the last decade, Evri has grown ten-fold in size, and this transaction will further expand our access into the European and global e-commerce markets. Since Apollo-managed funds came on board as our owners, they have backed our intent to drive forward and grow to become the UK's premier parcel delivery business."

Pablo Ciano, CEO, DHL eCommerce adds: "DHL eCommerce and Evri both stand for top service quality, reliability, and sustainability, which makes this partnership a great fit for our customers. Together, we'll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market. By joining forces in the U.K, we're creating a one-stop shop for all our customers' parcel needs here and giving them better delivery options from around the world."

de Lange will lead the combined business in the U.K. with Stu Hill, currently CEO, DHL eCommerce UK, becoming MD of Evri's Premium DHL network business. On completion of the deal, the combined Group will bring together a team of over 30,000 couriers and van drivers and 12,000 colleagues with a fleet of 8,000 vehicles.

Evri will continue to be majority owned by Apollo-managed funds. The businesses of DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain and DHL Global Forwarding in the U.K. are unaffected by this transaction and will continue to operate as they do at present, the release added.