Evri and DHL to Merge Forming UK Parcel and Letter Delivery Giant

The UK parcel delivery provider Evri has announced a significant merger with DHL eCommerce UK, a move set to create one of the largest delivery companies in the country. The combined entity will have the capacity to handle over one billion parcels and an equal number of letters annually. This marks Evri’s debut in the UK letter delivery market, a notable expansion for the business.

The agreement includes DHL Group acquiring a significant minority stake in Evri, whose ownership transferred to Apollo Global Management in July 2024 following a £2.7 billion deal. Evri, formerly known as Hermes UK, has invested heavily in improving its services, overcoming its previous struggles with customer complaints. A £32 million investment in service quality led to a 14.9 per cent growth in parcel volumes, surpassing 730 million deliveries in the 53 weeks ending February 2024. Its revenues during this record period rose by 15.2 per cent to £1.7 billion.

Martijn de Lange, Chief Executive of Evri, expressed optimism about the merger, highlighting the complementary nature of the two businesses. He emphasised the companies’ shared dedication to innovation and their intentions to provide exceptional customer service. The deal aligns with a growing trend of consolidation in the parcel delivery industry, driven by increasing e-commerce demands.

The merger also follows similar activity within the logistics sector. Last month, Yodel was acquired by Polish delivery firm InPost in a £106 million transaction, while Daniel Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire, received approval for a £3.6 billion takeover of International Distribution Services, the parent company of Royal Mail. These developments signal a rapidly evolving delivery market as companies seek to strengthen their positions through strategic acquisitions.

According to Pablo Ciano, Chief Executive of DHL eCommerce, the partnership aligns with both companies’ commitment to high-quality service, reliability, and sustainability. By combining resources, the merged entity aims to deliver more efficient and innovative logistics solutions while meeting the fast-paced demands of the e-commerce sector.

The announcement of this deal underscores the ongoing competition within the delivery market, where businesses strive to cater to both consumer expectations and complex logistics demands. By pooling their expertise and infrastructure, Evri and DHL eCommerce UK appear well-positioned to become a dominant force within the UK delivery industry.