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DHL wants to double number of packing stations

If it is based on the market leader DHL, consumers can soon pick up their packages to significantly more machines than before. The group also puts pressure on competitors DPD, GLS and Hermes.

Will the classic front door delivery of packages soon become a discontinued model? In any case, Germany's consumers can prepare to be able to pick up their packages to significantly more machines in the coming years than before. Market leader DHL has announced that the number of his pick-up and delivery stations will be double from 15,000 to 30,000 by 2030.

Alternative to Front door delivery

“We see strong growth in the 'Out of Home segment',” says DPD manager Michael Knaupe-which means he means machines and parcel shops. “People no longer want to wait for the package messenger to ring at their door at some point, they want to be flexible and get the package themselves.”

DHL relies in different types of machines at supermarkets, train stations, petrol stations or in public places. The company currently has 14,200 “packages” for packages and 800 “post stations”, in which consumers can hand over packages and pick up and buy stamps with QR codes. There is also video advice.

GLS, DPD and MyflexBox also want to grow

But the competition is also not sleeping: GLS, DPD and myflex box drive the expansion forward – however, the starting point here is significantly lower. The competitors GLS and DPD want to operate around 3,000 joint stations by 2027. There are currently about 100.

The Austrian provider MyflexBox, whose stations use several package companies, would like to come from currently 460 to at least 5,000 in 2030. At the Salzburg company, package companies pay for them to patch their shipments in the machine compartments. In Germany, GLS, DPD, Fedex and UPS participate.

With the machines, costs can be reduced

There are reasons why the package industry is now increasingly relating to machines. The aim is not only to offer the consumer an alternative to the front door delivery, but above all to reduce the costs.

After all, it is much cheaper for the logisticians to take several packages at one station than delivered to the front door individually. “Of course, a package has fewer costs in the event of a pack station delivery,” explains DHL board member Nikola Hagleitner.

Advantages and challenges for consumers

But also for consumers, the increasing number of parcel stations has added value, as they can flexibly collect their programs. “The stations are easy to use and available around the clock – this is a great advantage for customers,” said Hagleitner.

But there are also challenges. Because if the package station preferred by the customer is already full on the day of delivery, the package will be redirected. For the consumer, this means that he has to go to another, further away machine or a parcel shop to collect the shipment.

Hagleitner admits that this can happen in the future, after all, it is unclear at the moment of ordering how much an automat will be occupied days later. “But because we are building more and more stations and the capacity is increasing, we will be able to control the packages better and better, as is advantageous for the customer.”

Warning of incorrectly parked cars

But how will the increased installation of machines affect public space? The German Cities Day sees the parcel machines in principle as positive because they could reduce traffic and enable more efficient delivery processes. False parked cars in front of parcel machines could, however, ensure new traffic disruptions.

“When searching for the location for additional package stations, the following applies: First locations in buildings, then locations on private areas and only when both are not possible, locations in public space,” said Helmut Dedy, general manager of the German City Day.

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