DPD is to increase its nationwide capacity by opening 15 new or upgraded depots by the end of next year, including three that will be double the size of its regular sites.
The operator is due to open in Liverpool, Brighton, Lincoln and Radlett, Hertfordshire, for the first time. The remainder will replace or extend existing sites.
It also plans to open three ‘super depots’, sites that are double the size of its regular new-build locations, in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Exeter. The seven-acre sites will be capable of processing 7,000 parcels an hour and will be fitted with automated sorting equipment.
The site in Edinburgh is due to open by the end of this year, while Cardiff and Exeter are due for completion at the beginning of 2015.
Other locations due to be developed are: Bridgwater, Bristol, Carlisle, Dartford, Feltham, Reading and Swansea. The upgrade also includes a £3.5m Peterborough depot, which was revealed earlier this year.
Its £100m East Midlands hub in Hinckley is also scheduled for completion next year.
CEO Dwain McDonald said: "The state-of-the-art new depots we've been building in recent years have made a huge impact on the network in terms of extra capacity and greater efficiency. Our new super depots will take this to another level. In effect they will be ‘mini hubs' capable of handling 25,000 parcels a day.”
