Delivery firms Evri and DHL eCommerce have merged to create a new business that will handle over one billion parcels a year.

The companies said that the new business, branded Evri Premium – a network of DHL eCommerce, will bring significant benefits to consumers and businesses by providing greater choice and cost competitive solutions.

The deal includes DHL acquiring a minority stake in Evri.

The new group will include an expanded international capability for inbound and outbound parcels to complement Evri’s own international network by making use of DHL eCommerce’s experience in cross-border parcel shipping, as well as an out-of-home network of nearly 150,000 global access points.

The merger also means Evri will enter the UK business letter market.

Evri CEO Martijn de Lange said: “We are excited that DHL eCommerce UK will merge with Evri to bring together two highly complementary UK businesses – committed to innovation and offering customers and clients the best possible service.

“By combining Evri’s scale, innovation and DHL eCommerce’s best-in-class premium van network, we are creating the pre-eminent parcel delivery group in the UK.

“Over the last decade Evri has grown ten-fold in size and this transaction will further expand our access into the European and global e-commerce markets.”

Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce (left) with Martijn de Lange, CEO of Evri.

Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce (left) with Martijn de Lange, CEO of Evri.

On completion, the combined group will include 30,000 couriers and van drivers, 12,000 staff and a fleet of more than 8,000 vehicles.

Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce, said: “Together, we’ll be able to offer more efficient, far-reaching, and innovative solutions to keep up with the fast-paced e-commerce market.

“By joining forces in the UK, we’re creating a one-stop shop for all our customers’ parcel needs here and giving them better delivery options from around the world.”

Following completion, de Lange will lead the combined businesses with DHL eCommerce UK Stu Hill becoming MD of Evri Premium’s DHL network business. The DHL eCommerce UK executive team will also join the new group.

Completion of the deal is contingent upon customary regulatory approval.

DHL Express, DHL Supply Chain and DHL Global Forwarding are all unaffected by the transaction.