YDL, part of The APC delivery network - the largest independent parcel delivery network in the UK - has today announced 6% overall growth*, spurred by the continued strength of the region’s thriving SME community and the ongoing demand for parcel services across Yorkshire and County Durham.

The local delivery company, which through The APC network, specialises in parcel solutions for SMEs has seen continued growth across its business; with parcel volumes surging and changes to the delivery model - a result of the pandemic - driving the business to adapt and invest to support the changing needs of its customers.

Paul McLaren, Managing Director of YDL, said: “The effects of the pandemic were seen early on, with growing demand for parcel services, driven by a surge in consumer e-commerce activity. Throughout this time, we worked hard to support our local customers, recognising their changing needs and investing in our own business accordingly. Two years on and the pandemic has completely changed the shape of the distribution industry; from how people shop, to their delivery needs and expectations. Most remarkably though, in response to these changes, we’ve seen so many of our SME customers adapt, evolve, and thrive as a result. It’s this strength and entrepreneurialism of our customers that has largely contributed to the growth and evolution we’ve seen across our business.”

In order to support the continued growth of the business and its customers, YDL has made significant investment to support delivery operations; including additional warehousing and new local call centre systems, enabling the business to build on its offering of a national network reach through The APC, whilst maintaining its ‘local partner’ capability for businesses across YO, DL and TS postcodes.

In addition to the investments in its business operations, YDL has also committed to further investment in its workforce and training and development opportunities, recognising the efforts of its people and their role in the company’s future success. As part of this, the business has created several new roles and announced a series of internal promotions to bolster its sales, customer service and operations teams.

Today, YDL has an employed workforce of 85 people across the business - an increase of 13 people in the last year - and is currently recruiting for drivers and staff across its warehousing team, to support continued demand from the region’s thriving SME community.

Paul McLaren, continues: “Investing in our staff has been critical to ensure the continued growth of  business, whilst proudly maintaining our high standards of local service and supporting our customers through these unprecedented times of change. Our growing team, many of which have been with the business since it was established back in 2003, have been, and will continue to be, pivotal to the future success of the business and that of our customers.”

Across the region, YDL’s top 20 customers have achieved an average growth of 15% in the last two years. Among these customers, there has been a diverse range of sector growth seen locally - from food and drink, to office and manufacturing suppliers -  as local SMEs have continued to adapt their business models to meet the changing demands and shopping habits of customers.

One example of this is Just 1 Source & Supply Ltd, a local business, which supplies high quality work gloves. The business, which saw a sharp downturn in the early months of the pandemic, adapted quickly and, working with YDL to take advantage of its increased warehouse space, was able to import new products and increase stock holding. This allowed Just 1 Source & Supply Ltd to continue offering key products to loyal customers - getting ahead of the major shipping issues that would follow through the pandemic - whilst also supplying a new customer base, with stock being readily available for delivery. As the business emerged from the challenges of the pandemic, it has continued to work closely with YDL to utilise the capacity across its warehouses and also integrate a new Warehouse Management System - helping them to easily access their stock levels and reduce the time taken to process orders, which continue to rise each week. Throughout 2021 the business saw a surge in orders, with consignments escalating by over 29%, and through the first few months of 2022 consignments have risen by a further 7% year-on-year. Today, Just 1 Source & Supply Ltd continues to plan for future growth thanks to the demand it has generated - resulting in new job opportunities across the business - and through its work with YDL, continues to supply a growing customer base across the region and the rest of the UK.

Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive at APC Overnight, said: “Across The APC network we are still seeing high demand for delivery services and the strength of our SME customers continues to prevail as they respond to this and plan for the future. YDL’s continued success is testament to the brilliant depot team who have worked so hard over the last couple of years. It’s fantastic to see their ongoing efforts in the business and local community; from their investment into their workforce, as well as their commitment to continually meet the evolving needs of their customers.”

For media enquiries please email apc-team@schonandco.com.