DPD, the UK’s favourite parcel delivery company, has taken possession of a new distribution depot in Howden, built by leading property developer the Horncastle Group PLC.

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

The £4m development sits on a 4.5-acre site and includes a distribution warehouse, 6,716sqft 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.

Ian Hodges, Managing Director of Horncastle PLC, said he was delighted that Ozone Business Park had attracted another top, national company, which was testament to its fantastic location and the quality of facilities available.

DPD moved from their existing site in Goole to the new premises, to accommodate the company’s significant growth plans.

Mr Hodges 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 unprecedented growth in the UK for DPD, thanks largely to the success of its unique 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, said the new state-of-the-art facility would enable the company to provide an unparalleled parcel delivery service across East Yorkshire and the wider region.  Ms Ferguson said: “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.  It is home to a number of big name companies including Warburtons and Image Data.

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 company Hobson and Porter.  Mr Hodges said Horncastle PLC always tried to use local contractors whenever possible.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Hobson and Porter on this development, as they ensured the build process ran smoothly and everything went according to plan,” he said.  “It has always been Horncastle’s policy to use local contractors because it has positive consequences for the local economy.”

Picture caption: (L-R) Camilla Johnston, Assistant Property Manager DPD; Ryan Thorpe, Operations Manager DPD Goole; Ian Hodges, Managing Director Horncastle Group, and; John Mizon, Depot Manager DPD Goole.