Parcel firm delivers rise in profits
Parcel delivery network APC Overnight has reported strong results for the 2019/20 financial year, with 18.2% year-on-year growth in gross profit totalling £18.5m.
The Cannock-based company said that many industries have seen considerable downturns as a result of the pandemic, APC Overnight, like many in the logistics industry, continues to expand, providing a critical service to SMEs across the country as they adapt their businesses and accelerate their online presence to meet the changing consumer demands.
The food and drink sector specifically has shown significant growth across the network, with many SMEs quickly adapting their business models to meet increased demands.
CEO Jonathan Smith said: “The initial impact of the pandemic, quickly resulted in increased demand for parcel services, driven by consumer e-commerce activity and the preference for home delivery. Across the business we have seen a notable shift in purchasing habits, with B2C previously making up around 50% of all deliveries, and today making up around 75%.
“We anticipate that this preference will remain the norm for the foreseeable future and our role is to support our SME customers by recognising these changing dynamics of consumer behaviour and ensuring that our customers have access to their communities as they prepare for a further surge in online shopping.”
The APC’s focus on a national level is now on Christmas peak – and with lockdown measures still in place and Christmas around the corner – the business is preparing for what is likely to be a record-breaking period of online shopping.
As part of these preparations, the business recently announced its biggest ever recruitment drive, with plans to hire over 100 staff.
The roles – all of which are permanent – vary from drivers, forklift truck drivers, and warehouse operatives, to customer services staff and IT.
Smith added: “As a business we’re in great shape, and despite the recent challenges of the pandemic, we’ve worked hard to maintain job security and opportunities for all our workers. There is no doubt that the industry will continue to thrive in the coming months and as we move forwards, I’m committed to ensuring our staff – and others who may be considering a role in logistics – continue to see the long-term career opportunities available to them.”
