Parcel delivery company DPD has opened two new 60,000sq ft regional distribution centres (DCs) in Crawley and Sittingbourne, as part of a major £330m programme to build seven distribution centres across the country over the next two years.
The two DCs will boost DPD’s capacity in the South East and are the first of seven purpose-built DCs planned under the company’s multi-million pound programme, which was announced in June last year.
DPD Crawley (pictured) is located to the north of Crawley on Hydehurst Lane and replaces DPD’s current Crawley depot on Fleming Way, whilst DPD Sittingbourne is located at Panattoni Park, close to the M2, and replaces the current DPD depot on the Eurolink Industrial Estate.
Staff at DPD’s existing Crawley and Sittingbourne sites will be transferred to the new larger facilities and an additional 80 new jobs will be created by October, ahead of the peak season.
The company’s investment will see DPD deliver its 50th new build distribution centre, as part of major programme to strengthen its nationwide network of over 80 regional parcel centres.
The giant new fully automated sortation DCs will each be capable of processing up to 80,000 parcels a day, with capacity to accommodate over 100 new delivery driver routes to ensure the operation can handle the demand for DPD’s services in each area with space to carry on growing for a number of years.
Justin Pegg, DPD UK chief executive, commented: “I’m delighted to confirm the opening of the first of seven new DCs in 2026/27 as we continue to modify and expand our nationwide network of over 80 regional sorting centres.
“The majority of our regional network comprises modern, purpose-built and fully automated facilities, giving us the speed and the capacity needed to run a premium national seven day a week, next day delivery service.
“This is an ongoing programme as we continue to invest in our infrastructure to ensure we will always meet the demand for our services and exceed our customers’ expectations.”
