DPD is building a new zero-carbon distribution centre in Bicester, after securing planning permission, while Hermes is opening a new depot in Nottingham.
The 60,000 square foot distribution centre in Symmetry Park will be constructed according to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC)’s carbon certification, including energy efficiency measures and solar energy installations.
The carrier is moving its existing Bicester operations to the new site, which will employ up to 250 people.
The companies did not share details on when the site would be built.
Louise Ferguson, GM for property at DPD continued: “Our new Bicester distribution centre will be a state of the art, purpose-built facility. We already know what a fantastic location Bicester is, and Symmetry Park gives us more room and even better transport links.
“This investment will allow us to expand our existing operation to meet the growing demand for our services, create a significant number of new jobs and give us space to carry on growing for a number of years.”
Meanwhile, Hermes is opening a new depot in Nottingham, which it hopes will process over 100,000 parcels per day in its first year. Later this can be expanded to 120,000 parcels per day.
The site will open on 1 June, with its launch brought forward a month to deal with the extra volumes generated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sized at 75719 square feet, the site is located off junction 26 of the M1 at Panattoni Park.
The site is expected to add 100 jobs to the area.
Hermes also plans to add a dedicated returns centre at its site in Rugby, which will be able to process up to 120,000 parcels per day.
Jon Ormond, operations director for hubs and depots at Hermes, said: “During these unprecedented times we are seeing a new wave of adoption of online shopping as it becomes the core route for people to get their essentials and also send parcels as a way of connecting with their loved ones.
“This has generated an increase in parcel volumes and a demand for additional capacity and it is therefore imperative that we continue to make the right strategic investments in the right locations. This will also create new jobs and provide economic stimulation to these regions as the UK faces challenging economic times.”
