Record performance for Essington delivery company APC Overnight
Record-breaking figures have been recorded by next-day delivery firm APC Overnight, with its best trading in 19 years, bosses revealed today.
The Essington firm's 115 depots saw a 30 per cent rise in deliveries in December compared to the previous year. APC Overnight increased staffing levels by 18 per cent to help account for the rise over the busy Christmas period. Part of the success is down to the rise in internet shopping and the millions of parcels that were sent around the country.
Chief executive Syed Ziaullah said: "Christmas is the busiest time for the industry but owing to the huge surge in demand for our services over the past two years, it was important that we put systems in place to cope.
"Our planning started in September when we held regional meetings with depot principals to discuss logistics."
The courier firm is preparing to move from Warstone Road into its new £15 million 150,000sq ft hub in Cannock in the spring.
Mr Ziaullah said: "I predict a huge year for us. With the move to our new hub just a few short months away and following the record-breaking Christmas, we are set to meet ambitious growth targets in a stronger position than ever."
APC Overnight also had its busiest ever night last month, processing a record 135,980 deliveries in 24 hours. The new hub, which will be able to handle double the capacity of the Essington centre, is being built at a 12-acre site at Kingswood Lakeside Business Park in response to a 15 to 18 per cent growth in the business.
APC Overnight recorded pre-tax profits of £4.42 million in 2011-2012, a rise of 30.4 per cent on the previous year. The opening on the new distribution hub is creating 300 new jobs.
By John Corser
