Spring 2008

Express carrier Parceline is changing its name to DPD, the name of the existing international express network owned by parent group La Poste. At the same time the company has announced the completion of a new £56 'super-hub' distribution depot in the West Midlands.

DPD was originally an abbreviation for Deutsche Paket Dienst (German Parcel Service), but the emphasis changed when the organisation was acquired by La Poste, and the initials are now considered to stand for Dynamic Parcel Distribution. Parceline was also acquired during the 1990s. The DPD organisation says it has 500 depots in 38 countries.

UK chief executive Kay Phillips says: 'Our change in name is another exciting step forward in our corporate history.' She says it means the UK company can offer all its domestic and international services under one brand, and will be more easily recognised as part of an international group.

The company's new multi-sortation hub is said to be the most technologically-advanced and accurate in the UK. It lies between junctions 1 and 2 of the M5 motorway in Oldbury, West Midlands, and uses the latest tilt tray technology, supported by sophisticated management information systems.

 

The existing site at Smethwick, not far from the new base, will now be used to support the expansion of Parceline's sister-company Interlink Express, which retains its old identity. Interlink Ireland, however, has already been rebranded DPD. Both carriers do home delivery work, but Interlink is more firmly established in that market, while Parceline/DPD limits its involvement to a few specialist products such as phones.