Independent carrier Yodel has announced its investment in three new, strategically positioned, permanent ‘super’ service centres in Livingston, Waltham Cross and Southwark.

The new centres will support Yodel’s capability to deliver up to 4.9 million parcels per week in the run up to Christmas.

Over the past year, the carrier has already opened larger service centres in Northampton, Selby, Farnborough and Alfreton, strengthening the Yodel network that stretches across the UK.

In total the seven new sites have boosted Yodel’s final mile capacity by 22%, reducing the need for additional temporary sites during the seasonal Christmas peak.

The Livingston and Southwark sites opened last month (October) and Waltham Cross began operating on November 6.

All the acquisitions form part of Yodel’s ongoing £30m investment programme, which includes significant upgrades to IT, mechanical handling and training as well as its estate.

The new locations were chosen for their proximity to major motorways and town centres. They will streamline Yodel’s trunking from its central sorts and provide good access to regional towns. 

Dick Stead, executive chairman of Yodel, said: “These recent investments form part of our structured plan to increase not only capacity, but also the quality of Yodel’s service centre infrastructure.

“With our long-term goals focussed on providing excellent customer service, these developments demonstrate the on-going commitment Yodel has to consumers.”

The acquisitions have been overseen by Yodel’s chief operating officer, Keith Basnett, who added; "We are delighted with the opening of three more strategic sites. These recent site openings strengthen our stamp on the industry, as we continually explore new ways to streamline the delivery process and ensure we can provide a top quality service to our clients and their customers."

He continued: "More locations are being investigated to further optimise our network and we expect to open more centres in 2016."

Yodel’s network of over 50 regional service centres receives trailers of parcels from Yodel’s three central sorts, strategically sited at Shaw, Wednesbury and Hatfield. Parcels are then processed and sent out for onward delivery.

In addition to its permanent estate, Yodel has opened two temporary sites for the Christmas peak season, at Preston and Brighton, and established temporary extensions to over 18 service centres to enable it to cope with the increase in parcel volumes in the coming weeks.