Evri’s DHL deal to create one of the UK’s largest delivery firms

The two operations will bring together more than 30,000 couriers and van drivers

Evri employs around 8,000 people across the UK (PA Archive)

Evri is set to merge its e-commerce operations with rival DHL in a move that will reshape the UK's parcel delivery landscape and create one of the UK’s largest delivery firms.

The deal will see the creation of one of the country's largest delivery entities, handling a combined total of more than one billion parcels and one billion letters annually.

As part of the agreement, German-owned DHL Group will acquire a "significant minority stake" in Evri, with US private equity firm Apollo, which acquired Evri last year for £2.7 billion, remaining the majority shareholder.

The merged operations will function under the Evri Group banner, uniting a workforce of more than 30,000 couriers and van drivers, alongside an additional 12,000 employees.

This merger marks a significant development in the UK's competitive delivery market, bringing together two major players to create a formidable force in parcel and letter delivery.

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

German-owned DHL Group will acquire a “significant minority stake” in Evri as part of the deal (David Jones/PA)

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, chief executive of Evri, said: “We are excited that DHL ecommerce 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 ecommerce’s best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the UK.”

Pablo Ciano, chief executive of DHL ecommerce, said: “DHL ecommerce 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.”