Hermes Germany has bought a 28.5% stake in start-up LieferFactory GmbH, which offers same-day and time-definite delivery through its Liefery service, to expand its portfolio with a same-day delivery option for e-retailers and other shippers.
Based near Frankfurt, Liefery was hived off from the B2B same-day delivery provider time:matters in 2014 and has been offering its services across Germany to large retailers such as SportScheck, mymuesli or Mövenpick Wine. Its network currently comprises around 50 metropolitan areas nationwide where more than 2,500 couriers deliver shipments to recipients. If possible, pick-up and delivery are even made within 90 minutes, depending on the regional conditions, or a delivery appointment is made for the same day.
"More and more customers expect predictable delivery of products they ordered online. By taking a stake in LieferFactory GmbH, which already successfully operates in the market, we are expanding our strategic options and are shaping a growing business field, based on our leading position," Frank Rausch, CEO, Hermes Logistics Group, Germany said. "There is an increasing demand for same-day delivery, especially in the fields of art, sports or fresh products which we want to serve with a best-class service."
Hermes wants to focus on offering the "Same Day Service powered by Liefery" increasingly to business shippers and online retailers which the parcel operator already works for. The clients can order the fast delivery both online and offline. If an online shop features Liefery among its shipping options, the delivery is made from the closest branch of the retailer. When buying in-store, delivery per Liefery can be ordered at the checkout. The customers can then track the delivery status of the purchase any time via the tracking tool.
Franz-Joseph Miller, CEO of time:matters and co-founder of Liefery, said: “Having convinced such an experienced logistics provider as Hermes about our company makes our whole team and myself very proud. Over the past year, we have developed in a very short period of time a strong IT platform, which has given us the ability to handle more than 100,000 shipments. Together with Hermes, we will follow up on this success and make Liefery the leading same-day delivery provider in Europe.”
By the end of 2015, Liefery aims to cover 100 German towns and cities. Beyond Germany, the service is also offered in Vienna.
Observers noted that the cooperation between Hermes and Liefery recalls a similar deal between DPD and the same-day provider Tiramizoo in which DPD also has a minority stake.
