Evri merges with DHL UK e-commerce arm to form parcel giant

Evri is to merge with rival DHL’s UK e-commerce business in a move which will create one of the UK’s largest delivery firms.

German-owned DHL Group will acquire a "significant minority stake" in Evri as part of the deal.

The two operations, which will operate as Evri Group, will bring together more than 30,000 couriers and van drivers, and 12,000 further workers.

Evri, which was previously part of the Hermes parcel group, was snapped up by US private equity firm Apollo for around £2.7 billion last year.

Apollo will remain the majority shareholder in the business.

The combined company will deliver more than one billion parcels and one billion letters each year, the firms said.

They said the merger will offer "greater choice and cost-competitive solutions" to businesses and consumers, and expand import and export capabilities.

The deal will also see Evri entering the UK business letter market for the first time, bolstering its competition to Royal Mail.

Martijn de Lange, CEO of Evri, said: "We are excited that DHL e-commerce UK will merge with Evri to bring together two highly complementary UK businesses, committed to innovation and offering customers and clients the best possible service.

"By combining Evri’s scale, innovation and DHL e-commerce’s best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the UK."

Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL e-commerce, added: "DHL e-commerce and Evri both stand for top service quality, reliability and sustainability, which makes this partnership a great fit for our customers.

"Together, we’ll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market."