DPD UK has acquired Pie Mapping, London-based, specialist in digital mapping, data and routing services, to further fund and accelerate the development of logistics products that can support a wide range of fleet-based operations, including those in the construction and retail sector.
Acquired by DPD in late 2016, Pie Mapping won DPD’s technology incubator scheme Last Mile Labs, with its routing, linehaul optimisation, and resource management system, which is now being used by DPD, with further enhancements lined-up over the coming months.
Pie’s solution was designed to give DPD’s linehaul managers and planners total visibility over fleet, drivers and routes in real time to better tackle issues such as motorway congestion.
Following the acquisition, Pie Mapping’s founder Freddie Talberg has stepped down as Director and CEO, but will continue to be involved with the business as an advisor to the new senior management team, led by Stuart Hill.
Hill who formerly worked for John Lewis and ASOS, founded the fast-growing e-commerce parcels company wn Direct, which was also recently acquired by DPD Group.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be heading-up such an innovative company. We’ve got a great team and an outstanding product. As a result, I think Pie Mapping has a real opportunity to be a global player across the freight and logistics industry. But tech companies need access to finance, and this acquisition provides vital funding to enable the business to accelerate through the critical growth stages,” Hill said.
“At the moment, the focus is on Pie’s existing customers and product range, but the plan is to launch a new all-in-one platform and product in the summer, aimed at anyone with a fleet who wants optimisation of routes, compliant navigation, total visibility of real-time arrivals/departures and exceptions and full driver analytics. We’ll be proactively targeting sectors such as retail and construction where we think the product will be particularly relevant. Obviously, we will also be looking to work with the other members of the DPD Group across Europe, to give them the same kind of competitive advantage the UK team will have,” he added.
With heritage and expertise of over 15 years, Pie Mapping provides services that enable resource management, order and route creation, vehicle tracking and proactive monitoring, thus simplifying fleet management and supervision of any heavy goods vehicle. Born out of London Lorry Route Approver (LLRA) and the Freight Journey Planner (FJP), Pie Mapping helps drivers avoid fines and restrictions through its unique navigation and routing technology.
