Deutsche Post acquires Myflexbox to expand parcel station network

Deutsche Post has acquired parcel locker company Myflexbox with plans to significantly expand its network of parcel stations across Germany. The acquisition, announced by the logistics company in Bonn, aims to establish thousands of new locations for sending and collecting parcels in the coming years. The acquisition price was not disclosed, but the seller was identified as the British investors of Star Capital.

Myflexbox, based in Salzburg, currently operates approximately 2,000 lockers in Germany and an additional 1,000 in Austria. With around 100 employees, Myflexbox is recognised as the largest independent operator of parcel lockers. These lockers are accessible for package deliveries from various services, including GLS, DPD, UPS, Fedex, and Amazon. Following the acquisition, Myflexbox will become part of the DHL group.

The acquisition also involves the integration with Deutsche Post's subsidiary, AZL GmbH, which currently manages about 1,700 lockers under the DeinFach brand in Germany. Through DeinFach, packages can be collected from DHL and UPS, though other major parcel services have yet to participate. Plans are underway to merge DeinFach with Myflexbox, gradually rebranding the DeinFach lockers under the Myflexbox name.

Jonathan Grothaus, CEO of Myflexbox, emphasized that the company will maintain its independence and continue treating all parcel customers equally. "With the backing of DHL, we have more power to speed up our expansion and better position ourselves in the market," he noted. "Together, we're taking the expansion of the largest open parcel station network to the next level."

Lukas Beckedorff, head of DeinFach, underlined the importance of efficient resource utilization, noting that parallel construction of independent lockers by different companies leads to inefficiencies. "Locations are a scarce commodity, and whether in urban or rural areas, we're seeking locations at petrol stations, shopping centers, railway stations, or pedestrian zones," Beckedorff stated. "We follow the demand: where many people pass by or need fast access, a locker should be available."

As online shopping continues to rise, so does the volume of parcels, placing a burden on traditional home delivery methods due to their time-intensive nature. Parcel lockers offer a more efficient solution, allowing logistics companies to deposit or collect packages in bulk, thereby saving time.

Deutsche Post’s parcel subsidiary, DHL, already leads the market in parcel locker installations, operating around 16,000 Packstation lockers and an additional 1,400 post stations for both parcels and letters. These locations are not open to all, with only DHL shipments accepted. Nevertheless, DHL's exclusive network will also see expansion, with plans to reach approximately 25,000 by 2030, representing a significant increase from current figures.

The expanded goal for parcel lockers now includes both DHL and Myflexbox-operated facilities, aiming for around 50,000 lockers by the end of 2030. Before acquiring Myflexbox, Deutsche Post had aimed for more than 30,000 installations by the same deadline.

Source: n-tv.de