the second important element of the quality offensive isfurther automation of mail and parcel operations. in germany, thegroup is currently in the process of acquiring additional newsequence sorting machines, which pre-sort shipments in mail centersin the most efficient delivery order. this helps lighten theworkload for delivery personnel and reduce errors. in addition,deutsche post is installing new reading technology in all parcelcenters so that shipment codes on parcel labels can be read fasterand more reliably. this technology enables more efficientprocessing in the parcel center and avoids shipment delays.
investments in quality: further expansion of the mail andparcel network
deutsche post also plans to add another 500 partner outletsand dhl parcelshops, as well as 1,000 additional packstationsacross germany to further improve service for its customers. inaddition, deutsche post is testing new retail outlet concepts suchas self-service machines and drive-thru counters for posting andpick-up, one of which is currently being tested in bad kreuznach,germany. the group also plans to offer customers the option pickingup their parcels in dhl parcelshops, as well as new options forshipment tracking, such as proof of delivery for business customersfor all merchandise shipments (warensendungen).
deutsche post dhl group also plans to invest more in itspostal infrastructure, primarily in rural areas – for example withmore than 400 new delivery depots in its combined delivery network,which combines mail and parcel delivery into one.
this year the company will open a new mega parcel center inbochum, germany with a sorting capacity of 50,000 shipments perhour. the new sorting center will also create 600 new jobs.
high quality also means sustainability. therefore, the companyplans to deploy additional 6,000 streetscooter electric vehicles in2019 for its delivery operations in germany, adding to more than9,000 streetscooters already in operation.
“these measures ensure that we remain quality leader andprovider of choice for our customers in a very competitive market,”says frank appel.
during the 2018 holiday season, deutsche post dhl groupdelivered more than 150 million items, with more than 99% of allshipments, including last-minute items, arriving in time forchristmas. to ensure a successful holiday season, the company hadimplemented extensive measures ahead of time, including adding some10,000 additional personnel to sorting and delivery operations, aswell as 12,000 additional delivery vehicles. deutsche postcustomers confirmed the company’s high service quality, withdeutsche post receiving a record score of 94% for customersatisfaction in its partner retail outlets as part of the mostrecent kundenmonitor deutschland, germany’s largest cross-sectorstudy on customer satisfaction.
