Quadient has secured important new contracts to expand its parcel locker networks in the UK and France with new sites and more volumes.
In the UK, the company will expand its Parcel Pending by Quadient Open Locker Network with two new host partners representing more than 1,000 potential sites for lockers.
The two location partners are APCOA, UK and Ireland’s leading parking mobility technology & solutions provider working across transportation, health & education, retail and local government sectors, and Rontec, one of the leading players in the UK forecourt industry, operating 264 roadside retail forecourts under the Esso, BP and Shell brands.
Car parks as logistics hubs
“Hosting carrier-agnostic lockers is another value-added service we can offer to our customers,” said Kim Challis, Regional Managing Director, APCOA UK&I. “We have invested heavily in using technology to help our customers and their communities, from convenient booking and payment systems to installing EV charging points.
“We are also rolling out ‘urban mobility hubs’ that turn existing parking locations into distribution and logistics centres for greener, more efficient last-mile deliveries. These lockers will help our customers make fewer journeys, reducing their fuel use and costs while helping create a more sustainable environment.”
According to Rontec’s spokesperson: “We want our forecourts to offer everything our customers might need. Enabling people to pick up parcels while refuelling will cut the number of journeys they need to make. Not only will this make drivers’ lives easier, but it will also help reduce traffic on nearby roads, easing congestion and lowering emissions in our local communities.”
5,000 target
The new partnerships represent a major milestone in Quadient’s goal of rolling out 5,000 open locker locations across the UK. Three major carriers – DHL, DPD UK and Evri – have already signed up to use the locker network, with a fourth carrier soon to be announced. The lockers’ in-built label printers mean users can easily send returns or other parcels without needing to have a pre-printed label or access to a printer at home.
“These partnerships mark a bold step towards meeting our open locker network expansion goals,” said Ian Caminsky, SVP & MD Parcel Locker Solutions DACHIT-UKI, Quadient. “Our parcel locker solutions provide benefits at all levels: from the hosts who are opening up new revenue streams through fees and increased footfall, and to carriers who can reach more customers more efficiently with fewer stops, to consumers who can send and receive parcels securely at their own convenience, and to local communities that see lower traffic. We are looking forward to helping these hosts realise the full benefits of being part of our open locker network, and continuing to expand our footprint with more carriers and location partners.”
New international partner in France
Meanwhile, in France, Quadient has secured a new contract with an unnamed international carrier for the use of its open network of smart parcel lockers alongside Relais Colis, its long-time partner in this business. The company is rolling out an open network of smart lockers in France, with installations in major cities and the Paris region already underway.
"We are delighted to welcome a new key international player alongside Relais Colis in our French open locker network. Together, we are working towards bringing the most innovative and convenient parcel pick-up and drop-off solution to the largest number of French consumers," said Benoit Berson, chief solution officer Parcel Locker Solutions at Quadient.
“Our open locker network has already proven to be a success in other regions, and we also have been developing strong collaboration with retailers in France to offer multi-carrier parcel delivery and collection in stores. We are excited about this next step of our strategy and continue our growth in the main markets we serve."
