Absolutely, London’s longest established courier company since 1865 and member of The APC network, the UK’s largest independent parcel delivery network, has today launched its Eco Hub, a new zero emission focused courier depot in Holborn, London.
The opening comes following significant ongoing investment, and commitment, from Absolutely in supporting Government initiatives to improve air quality across the Capital and achieving the City’s target of carbon neutrality by 2030. The business featured in the 2020 Parliamentary Review highlighting this commitment, as well as service improvements for their valued customer base. The new Eco Hub builds on this further, tying in with the ULEZ expansion rollout in 2021, as well as the petrol and diesel car ban across specific parts of London.
The new site, Absolutely’s fourth location in London, provides an additional 5,000 sq. ft. of space, allowing the business to expand its Central London Sameday, Overnight and Fulfilment service offerings to local businesses, supporting their growth and enabling them to service a national customer base. The site will also allow Absolutely to offer a temperature controlled and ambient fulfilment solution using its fast-expanding fleet of e-vehicles. To date, Absolutely has already invested in a fleet of 30 e-vehicles, with 90% of all APC overnight collections currently collected or delivered on an electric van or cargo bike.
The launch of the Eco Hub, and Absolutely’s commitment to increase its electric cargo bike fleet by 65% by the end of 2021 demonstrates the business’ determined and long-term strategic vision through these unprecedented times.
Stuart Godman, CEO of Absolutely, said:
“As a business we’re in great shape, and despite the recent difficulties of the pandemic, the launch of our Eco Hub is something we’ve been planning for some time to ensure our business is set up for long-term success; supporting our valued customers, as well as the Capital’s zero emissions target.
At a time when our customers across London are passionate about protecting the environment, whilst having to adapt their businesses and accelerate their online presence, we are committed to supporting their growth and providing them with improved service options to help them flourish in the years ahead. Our new Eco Hub is just the start of this commitment.”
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, in the last year, Absolutely’s top 10 customers have achieved an average year-on-year growth of 36%. Among these customers, the food and drink and healthcare sectors have shown considerable growth locally, as consumers have continued to find new ways of sourcing products they rely on through the pandemic.
One example of this is London based business, Detox Kitchen – producer of fresh, healthy meal boxes – which quickly adapted its product offering and business model through the pandemic, in response to consumer demand for quality food and healthy meal subscription boxes. With support from the team at Absolutely, Detox Kitchen was able to capitalise on this demand, and saw the business significantly multiply in scale, resulting in year-on-year growth of 180%, with delivery on environmentally friendly vehicles being key.
Stuart Godman, continues:
“I’m determined that as a business we will never standstill and will keep pushing boundaries. Our Eco Hub and expanding fleet of extra-large electric cargo bikes will enable Absolutely to continue delivering an excellent standard of service – giving our customers more environmentally focused options for fulfilment, storage and distribution – whilst adhering to the latest legislations and building on our ambition to be a true ambassador for carbon neutrality.”
