DPD Romania estimates 20% growth for 2018 and announces investments in two new logistics centers

Following last year's EUR 1.5 million investment in expanding its logistics capacity and software, DPD Romania, one of the largest express and parcel companies in the local market, estimates a 20% increase in turnover in 2018 and over 11 million parcels shipped during the year. In 2017, the company maintained an upward trend, with a turnover reported at the end of the year of 26.8 million. For 2018, the company will invest around 1 million euros in various business areas, including the opening of two logistics centers in Arad and Craiova.

According to company representatives, in 2017, the share of national deliveries was over 75% of the total. The top of the areas where most of the parcels were shipped in the country last year are led by the Bucharest-Ilfov region, with 27% of the total, followed by Cluj County, about 9%, Timis, 8% Constanta, 7% and Iasi, 6%.

In terms of international deliveries by DPD couriers in 2017, Hungary (26%), Germany (22%), Italy (10%) and Bulgaria (9%) lead the top of most delivering countries.

The main driver of DPD business growth in 2017 was e-commerce, and the industries that generated the most deliveries were fashion, telecom, IT & C, electro, beauty and home & deco. The share of deliveries at the full year remained balanced, 48.5% of the parcels were sent by the B2B sector and 51.5% by the B2C segment.

"2017 was a year where we focused on improving our services, including communicating with our customers by completely changing the IT system. For the current year, we estimate an increase of 20%, influenced by the quality of DPD Romania's services, by the competitive and correct price we apply, along with the innovation we bring through our new IT system. We will also continue to develop the logistics infrastructure in the country by investing in new centers in Arad and Craiova, "says Lucian Aldescu, DPD Romania CEO.

In 2017, the company invested EUR 1.5 million in the development of IT systems (Sky Logistic and MyDPD), but also in expanding its operational capacity in three key regions through the opening of logistics centers in Cluj, Bacau and Brasov.

Sky Logistic is an integrated IT solution that allows a faster delivery flow through the new address and geolocation routing system. Thus, by automatically identifying GPS coordinates, customers will not be required to enter the postal code and thus eliminate the possibility of error in delivering parcels to the recipient. The system also provides real-time data, improving communication between customers and the company, and is flexible for integrating new services and technologies.

Since the end of last year, all DPD customers have access to the new MyDPD online application. The new platform allows you to instantly calculate shipping, track & trace parcel prices, and personalize your account for a quick introduction of future forwarding data. The application is also available online and to customers without contract and provides permanent support.

According to DPD Romania, investments will allow greater flexibility in the development of new services and will improve the operational quality of delivery.

"Innovation and quality of service are our main priorities. We have invested in the IT area, where we have implemented new, intuitive and easy-to-use software that meets customer needs and at the same time gives the company more flexibility in the future to diversify its portfolio of services. We also continued expanding the logistics infrastructure by opening three new hubs in regions that have seen significant increases last year, "adds Lucian Aldescu, DPD Romania CEO.

Representatives of DPD Romania expect the local courier market to be worth half a billion euros in 2018 compared to 430 million euros in 2017.

"We can talk about maturity and stability of the local courier market. For the current year, we estimate that we will be approaching half a billion euros. Next, e-commerce will be the main growth engine, supported by the fashion, IT & C, food or home & deco industries, which generate over 50% of deliveries, "says Lucian Aldescu, DPD Romania CEO.