Brussels, 1 October 2020 - Following an extensive market study, the combined experience of traditional parcel delivery and sister company Chronofresh and the potential of the sector as such, DPD decided to create a new entity: DPD fresh. This is a brand new express transport offer (next day delivery) adapted for dry, fresh and frozen products. The roll-out of this new service goes hand in hand with the move to a new building in Asse-Zellik, part of which is equipped with refrigeration and freezing facilities for food products. Initially, DPD fresh will supply the 19 Brussels municipalities* as well as the Flemish periphery around Brussels. By 2022, the new service will be rolled out throughout Belgium and Luxembourg.

 

What does DPD fresh offer?

Our motto is optimal freshness door to door", explains Koen Verlaenen, General Manager of DPD fresh BeLux. "We take care of the collection and delivery of dry food, fresh and frozen products from our customers and deliver them to the recipients under the best possible conditions. For dry food, this is done without refrigeration, and for fresh food (fruit, vegetables, meat or fish) at temperatures between 0 and 4°C. All frozen food is stored at -18°C. The active cooling network is unique to DPD fresh. We actively cool both in the depots and during transport. This enables our customers to save the often expensive and polluting packaging to keep their goods at the right temperature".

Maximum freshness

Major investments have been made in the necessary infrastructure. The Asse-Zellik depot is equipped with refrigeration and freezing rooms that are monitored 24 hours a day. For collection and delivery, DPD fresh works with mobile containers, insulated boxes and refrigerated lorries in order to guarantee the preservation of the cold chain, hygiene and food safety at all times. All measures are described in detail in a health control plan that fully complies with the very strict rules of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC). Every driver and employee of DPD fresh has received extensive training, both in logistical aspects and in food hygiene and safety.

Recipients of DPD fresh products can – just like the recipients of other DPD parcels – use the myDPD application, which notifies them of their delivery with a one-hour timeslot. The application also allows them to track their shipment live and to change the address and/or delivery date up to 30 minutes before delivery.

 

The food industry, a sector with high potential

DPD did not take the step into the food industry without careful consideration. On the one hand, the new service builds on the knowledge and expertise that DPD has accumulated over the past decades and on the inspiring example of its French sister company Chronofresh, which has been active in France for five years. More and more French customers have asked Chronofresh to be able to deliver to Belgium as well.

Furthermore, a market study carried out by DPD in Belgium has shown that the potential of the new service in our country is very high. The digital evolution, boosted in recent months by COVID-19, is having a lasting impact on consumer purchasing behaviour. In addition, we attach increasing importance to sustainability and quality, which is also reflected in our food. We prefer to eat a little less, but we are more demanding on quality.

In the Belgian food sector, which is by far the most prominent industrial sector (accounting for 20% of the total of all sectors), just over 4,000 companies together achieve an annual turnover of €57 billion, 45% of which is exported. In 2019, only 1.5% of all food in Belgium was ordered online. It is estimated that this share will double to 3% by 2025. This estimate dates from before the COVID-19 crisis and will therefore probably have to be revised upwards. A huge market has opened up and DPD fresh intends to respond to it.

 

*Anderlecht, Auderghem, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Brussels-City, Etterbeek, Evere, Forest, Ganshoren, Ixelles, Jette, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek, Uccle, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe- Saint-Lambert and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre.

 

About DPD BeLux

DPD BeLux is part of DPDgroup, the largest parcel delivery network in Europe. By harnessing technological innovation and local knowledge, DPD offers a first-class service to its customers, both senders and recipients. DPD's Predict service is the new benchmark in parcel delivery, enabling customers to track their parcels or modify their delivery up to the last minute.

As part of DPDgroup, DPD BeLux has access to more than 46,000 Pickup points worldwide, including more than 1,800 in the Benelux. DPD delivers parcels to more than 230 countries worldwide. DPDgroup's 77,000 experts work together daily to deliver more than 5.3 million parcels earch day. DPDgroup the parcel delivery network of GeoPost, with posted sales of €7.8 billion in 2019. GeoPost is a holding company owned by Le Groupe La Poste. For more information, visit www.dpd.be