Deeside Depot is Parcelforce Worldwide's smallest. Around 50 staff across the site collectively average about 3,500 deliveries and 1,500 collections per day. While it's a small set up, it's reach is widespread, sprawling throughout the countryside and rugged landscapes of North Wales. "We are in one of our busy seasons at the moment, with lots of deliveries to the many holiday parks that are located in this part of the country," said Operations Manager Gareth Sullivan. "We are noticeably busier in the summer."
A lot of the Depot's sprawling reach is rural, which can present challenges not necessarily faced by many other Depots in the network. For example, the country lanes around Deeside can be narrow and winding. The increase in traffic from holiday makers in the summer can create jams and make it more difficult to get around.
But it's the winter months that prove to be most troublesome for Deeside Depot's drivers. "A lot of the roads here are mountain routes and this can become an issue when the weather is bad," said Gareth. "Often the roads are closed due to snow, high winds or excessive rain, and that means drivers' routes are affected," he said.
"We're a nimble team here at Deeside Depot though, and we can deal with anything," he added. Gareth was previously a shift manager at Liverpool Depot. "I was on a development program and that gave me the opportunity to become Operations Manager here at Deeside Depot," he said. "The two sites are very different. Liverpool Depot was much more condensed and focused mainly on inner city and suburban deliveries. Here in Wales the routes are longer and mainly rural," he said. "The team here may be small, but it is fantastic."
If you'd like to find out more about a career at Parcelforce please click here.
Credit: Beetroot Publishing
Focus and hard work saw Lincoln receiving our Golden Welcome Depot Award this year, and the East Midlands site going from strength to strength. Winning the award for seeing the most improved performance in contacting new costumers and checking parcels are well packaged, Lincoln’s 51 colleagues work hard to ensure customer service is at the forefront of their minds.
We visited the London Central depot where our drivers are getting ready for a busy day in the capital whilst the team also show case our new Self Serve kiosk, which is on trial in the depot, alongside Milton Keynes and Newcastle.
It’s been a busy couple of years for the Exeter team. With around 5,500 deliveries a day, which increases to nearly 9,000 during peak in the lead up to Christmas, it’s important to keep everything running smoothly.
What’s happening online and how it might impact your Christmas sales
Find out more about how Parcelforce Worldwide can support your business' growth. Whether you are sending in the UK or across the globe.
There were a record number of small businesses started during the pandemic; the 'Shop Local' advice of each lockdown has grown into shoppers' preferred buying method; and last Black Friday witnessed the boycotting of some of the world's biggest brands - including Amazon - with many independent retailers donating to charity and planting trees as part of a renewed drive against consumerism. All this has meant one thing for SMEs: growth. But this growth also means the competition is higher than ever.
By providing your email address and clicking sign up below, you are agreeing to Royal Mail Group keeping in touch with you by email about our products, services and offers that might be of interest to you. Royal Mail Group takes your privacy and security very seriously. For more details please read our Privacy Policy
