In a significant move within the UK’s logistics sector, parcel delivery company Evri has merged with DHL’s UK e-commerce division. This strategic partnership aims to create a formidable delivery entity capable of handling over 1 billion parcels and an equal number of business letters annually.

As part of the agreement, DHL Group has acquired a substantial minority stake in Evri. The merger integrates DHL’s premium van delivery network with Evri’s extensive courier services, resulting in a combined fleet of approximately 8,000 vehicles and a workforce exceeding 30,000 couriers and drivers

Evri, formerly known as Hermes UK, was acquired by private equity firm Apollo in July 2024 for £2.7 billion. Prior to the merger, Evri reported a record-breaking financial year, doubling its pre-tax profits, increasing parcel volume by 14.9% to over 730 million, and boosting revenue by 15.2% to £1.7 billion. Significant investments totaling £32 million were made to enhance service quality and address past customer service criticisms

The merger also marks Evri’s entry into the UK business letter delivery market, expanding its service offerings beyond parcels. This move positions the combined entity to compete more effectively with established players like Royal Mail, which delivered 1.3 billion parcels and 6.7 billion letters last year

Leadership for the merged organization includes Martijn de Lange, CEO of Evri, who will oversee the combined group, and Stuart Hill, head of DHL eCommerce UK, who will manage the premium DHL network

The merger is subject to approval from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). If approved, this consolidation is expected to reshape the UK’s delivery landscape, offering consumers and businesses enhanced service options and improved delivery efficiencies

This development reflects a broader trend of consolidation in the delivery sector, with recent transactions including InPost’s acquisition of Yodel and Daniel Křetínský’s bid for Royal Mail’s parent company.