Yodel reveals network structure plans

Yodel has revealed details of its plans of its new network structure, in a move that will see it close 45 of its service centres across the UK.

A total of 57 service centres will remain in the network, but the parcels giant expects a number of redundancies as a result.

Chief Executive Jonathan Smith says: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We have to make these changes to meet the needs of our customers and create a sustainable and profitable business model.

“We have been running two operational networks since early 2010 with limited flexibility. Having concluded the planning process we are now able to communicate how we will move to one operation.”

Yodel, which is owned by billionaire businessmen Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, was formed when HDNL bought DHL’s B2B and B2C parcel operation, Day Definite Domestic, a division of DHL Express (UK) in January 2010. It has been running two concurrent networks based on the historic structure of both businesses ever since.

Smith tells Roadtransport.com that the decision on the number of centres to remain in the network was based on its current and predicted customer needs across the country.

“We had to choose what was most effective,” he adds.