Part and parcel

One of the UK’s fastest growing B2B delivery services, DPD, makes the recent decision to streamline its service with the inclusion of parcel delivery firm, Interlink Express. Rebranded as DPD Local, the move aims to foster greater brand consistency across the wider DPD Group.

With digital implementation and new branding gracing over 2,000 company vehicles in a cyan blue finish, DPD Local will operate from over 90 local depots around the UK. Yet as the brand cultivates a reputable imprint within Europe, the rebrand aims to underpin DPD’s definitive acronym, ‘Dynamic Parcel Delivery’ on a local scale.

However, overcoming the challenge of maintaining company propositions is important in retaining customer satisfaction. DPD Local aims to honour Interlink Express’ tender of ‘try before you buy,’ offering 100 free parcels to new customers. Integrating a wider push to develop an international presence, the service will also include a reworked DPD mobile and tablet app, parcel pick up option and bulk delivery tools.

Interlink Express began its journey as a motorcycle courier in 1979, transforming to an overnight courier service in 1981 and growing year on year. Equally so, beginning as one of Germany’s premier delivery services, DPD Group expanded its fleet to over 40 countries, shipping over two million parcels each day. Now, both companies remain under the direction of GeoPost, a subsidiary of the mostly government-owned French postal service, La Poste.

Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO, says, “"The move will bring Interlink Express more into line with the DPD Group but enable it to continue to focus on what it does best; providing a great local service with nationwide, and increasingly, global reach. Interlink Express is a hugely successful business, so we aren't looking to change the core proposition. But it will make it much easier for Interlink Express to integrate with existing DPD services from the Your DPD app to the DPD Pickup parcel shop network and international services such as DPD Classic.”

With a rollout beginning this month, wider implementation will continue throughout the year, aiming to be completed in October 2017.