Parcelforce reveals £75m investment programme

Parcelforce Worldwide is to invest £75m in its network and hubs over the next four years, creating 1,000 new jobs.

The investment, which is part of parent company Royal Mail Group’s strategy to expand its express parcel business in the UK and internationally, will also see the opening of a new parcel processing centre in Chorley, Lancashire, as well as two additional depots in Cornwall and Hampshire. There are also plans for nine of its 53 existing depots across the UK to be expanded or relocated to larger sites.

Royal Mail Group chief executive Moya Greene said: “Our strategy is to convert the rise in parcel volumes in to profitable growth. That means becoming a much more customer-focused company being run on commercial lines and investing in new, vital technology.”

The last reported financial year saw the group’s business across its three parcel divisions; Parcelforce Worldwide, Royal Mail’s UK parcels operation and Royal Mail Specialist Services, account for 48% of the group’s total revenues.

The firm plans to open its new Chorley sorting hub in autumn 2013.

Greene added: “The investment will enable Royal Mail Group’s express parcels business to meet the rapid growth in demand in the business-to-business, business-to-consumer and consumer-to-consumer markets.”