Parcel firm DPD delivers 50 new jobs with £4m distribution hub in Howden

DPD, the parcel delivery company, has moved into a new distribution depot in Howden, which was built by property developer Horncastle Group PLC.

Located on Ozone Business Park, near Junction 37 or the M62, the 47,145 sq ft unit will create 50 new jobs and forms a hub for the company’s parcel distribution services across East Yorkshire as well as the wider region.

The £4m development sits on a 4.5-acre site and includes a distribution warehouse, 6,716 sq ft of offices space, 59 van and HGV trailer parking spaces and 60 car parking spaces.

Once fully operational, the facility will be able to process up to 20,000 packages a day for delivery to residential and business addresses within a 50-mile radius of Howden.

DPD moved from its existing site in Goole to the new premises.

Ian Hodges, managing director of Horncastle PLC, said: “DPD is a very forward thinking company and had a very clear vision as to what they wanted to create with this development.

“We worked closely with them to ensure those ideas were implemented and the design of the distribution depot promoted the most efficient processes in the parcel distribution industry.

“The building was completed on schedule and to budget, enabling DPD to take possession in advance of their busiest seasonal period. I am extremely pleased to be able to hand the building over to DPD and to have another fantastic, national company operating from Ozone Business Park.”

The investment follows a period of growth in the UK for DPD, due largely to the success of its Predict service. Predict notifies customers of their one-hour delivery slot in advance, so that they don’t have to wait in all day for a parcel.

Louise Ferguson, general manager of property at DPD, added: “This investment enables us to meet our growing business needs as well as providing significant extra local employment. We’re delighted to take possession of our new distribution hub.”

Ozone Business Park is a 32-acre site based on the A614 and is part of the Goole/Howden employment hub.

Horncastle Group PLC will retain ownership of the building and lease it to DPD on a long term agreement.

The principal contractor on the scheme was Hull-based company Hobson and Porter.