Today DPD Netherlands is celebrating its 30th anniversary. What began in 1993 with just 2 branches in Tiel and Barneveld has grown into an extensive network with 12 branches throughout the Netherlands. DPD has not only grown to become a major company in the Netherlands but has also become the largest parcel delivery company in Europe. What’s more, DPD is the first parcel delivery company to have its sustainability ambitions approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Time to look back.
Starting out as a modest operation with two branches in Tiel and Barneveld, in 1993 DPD was part of the Deutscher Paketdienst and focused above all on the B2B market. In 2001 DPD Netherlands was taken over by Geopost SA, a subsidiary of the French group La Poste. Since then DPD has continued to develop and has grown to become a strong international player in the parcel delivery industry, with a wide range of innovative services and solutions for both business and private customers.
From two to twelve branches
DPD began in 1993 with two branches, while today there are twelve in the Netherlands: Tynaarlo, Joure, Meppel, Rijssen, Veenendaal, Amsterdam, Beverwijk, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Maastricht, Etten-Leur and Goes. In 2019 DPD opened its biggest HUB in Eindhoven, where all international parcel shipments are brought and from where they are distributed throughout Europe.
The largest in Europe
DPD has the experience and expertise of a large, strong international player. With 122,000 delivery experts in almost 50 countries and a network of 83,000 pickup shops, DPD delivers 8.3 million parcels a day around the world and 2.1 billion parcels a year. DPD’s ambition is to become the very best international parcel service, also for Out of Home deliveries. In 2025 DPD aims to have the widest coverage in Europe with 100,000 pickup shops, which would mean that 90% of all Europeans would be no more than 10 minutes away from a pickup shop.
The greenest parcel delivery company in Europe
Sustainability is high on DPD Netherlands’s agenda. Investment in making parcel deliveries more sustainable comes naturally to DPD. In 2012 DPD Netherlands committed itself to achieving 100% CO2-neutral parcel deliveries. This means that all greenhouse gas emissions caused by DPD Netherlands’ transport activities will be compensated by investments in renewable energy projects and certified climate compensation projects.
DPD Netherlands aims to be fully net zero by 2040, meaning that all of DPD’s activities will have no net impact on the environment. DPD is the first parcel delivery company to have its sustainability goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an initiative recognised around the world. This underlines DPD’s determination to take measurable and science-backed steps towards a sustainable future.
Party time at DPD Netherlands
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, last April DPD organised a spectacular party for its employees. A perfect opportunity to look back on the last three decades of growth and success, and to express its appreciation for all those who have contributed to reaching this milestone. Also to thank the delivery personnel and sorting staff who are outsourced by DPD with hauliers and employment agencies, in May and June DPD organised special events with food trucks at all its depots and hubs. This occasion gave DPD the opportunity to express in person its appreciation for those who are the face of DPD, day in day out, and ensure that the parcels are delivered properly and on time.