Independent parcel delivery network The Alternative Parcels Company ( APC) has revealed 3% year-on-year growth in operating profit, totalling £7.1m.
The APC also saw steady growth across services, particularly within its niche services such as fragile and liquid, reporting turnover for the financial year amounting to £126.1m, an increase in revenue of 1%.
Jonathan Smith, The APC chief executive, said: “Reporting steady year-on-year growth is a positive result in The APC’s 30th anniversary year and continues to highlight the strength of our unique network structure.
“Local customer service from our network members remained paramount and further established The APC’s excellent service reputation across the SME business community.”
The business celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, attributing the network structure and joint ownership model of The APC as a key strength, which it said continues to give its network members a competitive advantage.
Smith added: “The APC has evolved tremendously in the last three decades, but as a business we have remained true to our founding principles since 1994.
“We have and always will be strong believers in championing SMEs across the country, with our depots providing a truly local service; fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with customers, to help build for the future growth and success of SMEs across the UK.”
The APC said it has made a number of investments in the 2023/24 financial year to boost customer and consumer services, including increased consumer messaging, enhanced reporting, and the introduction of click and collect through its partnership with Parcelly, giving consumers more convenient delivery options.
The APC is also planning to develop its phone system, as well as a new interface for the booking platform and new scanners.
In addition to the investments in its business operations, The APC said it has also continued to invest in its people.
The company also won the RoSPA Gold Award during the year, after four consecutive years of winning Silver and increased its investment in health and safety, expanding its Health and Safety team at its National Sortation Centre in Cannock.
