CouriersPlease expands with 3 new depots amid surging parcel volumes

CouriersPlease, Australia’s fastest-growing franchised courier service, is expanding its parcel-handling capabilities with three new sustainable depots strategically located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. The expansion of its facilities will help CouriersPlease meet its ambitious growth plans by expanding its footprint and supporting the growth of its customers and franchisees in the three cities. 

CouriersPlease has been on a major growth trajectory since its appointment of CEO Richard Thame in February 2022. Recently awarded the NORA (National Online Retail Association) Solution Partners Best Carrier Award in 2023, the company now delivers parcels for over half of Australia’s major retailers. Its parcel volumes increased by 20 per cent in 2023, a record for the business. In the last year, it celebrated 40 years of success and launched a brand refresh with a new red-and-white colourway.

In the last two years, the company has also significantly expanded its franchise network, now offering retail customers 1200 couriers across 800+ active territories Australia-wide. As a testament to its commitment to franchisees, CouriersPlease was recognised as a 5-Star rated franchise (FRANData Franchise Rating Scale) last year.

In Melbourne, its newly launched 15,550sqm Dandenong South facility is larger than the Mulgrave facility that it is relocating from. The expansion will enable CouriersPlease to meet its surging parcel volumes in Melbourne, and support the growth of Melbourne e-retailers and E-Commerce traders alongside its network of Melbourne franchisees.

Over the next six months, CouriersPlease will also open a new 5400sqm depot in Sydney’s Pemulwuy and a 28,644sqm depot in Perth’s High Wycombe to further support the growth of its customers and franchisees in the two cities. 

The new facilities will expand CouriersPlease’s total square metre space across 18 depots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, the Gold Coast, Wollongong, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.

The Dandenong South depot is built to a Green Star Standard and As Built ratings in accordance with the Green Building Council of Australia. It also includes rainwater reuse infrastructure, energy-efficient fittings, solar hot water, LED lighting and light harvesting. 

With a completion date of April 2024, the 5400sqm Perth depot will be built to a Green Star Standard. Provisions are being made for future solar panel installations, rainwater harvesting and electric car charging points.

The massive 28,644sqm Sydney facility is expected to open in May 2024. The depot will be built to a Green Star Standard and feature rainwater reuse systems; a powerful 300kW solar system, solar hot water systems; recycled asphalt made from recycled plastic bags, glass and printer cartridges; bicycle parking; native landscaping; and five electric vehicle charging stations in the car park.

CEO Richard Thame says: “These depots are part of our strategic mission to expand our depot space nationally to meet growing parcel volumes and help grow our franchisees’ businesses. Our strong metro fleet will help us continue capitalising on the growth of E-Commerce in capital cities, while our expanding regional footprint will provide a better service for the many Australians that have moved to regional areas in recent years.

“At the same time, every new facility that we open will advance sustainability. We are trialling electric delivery vans with the view to growing our electric fleet, hence the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and solar arrays to futureproof the depots. Enhanced internal ventilation will reduce the need for heating and cooling.” 

CouriersPlease has partnered with end-to-end supply chain and property experts TMX to oversee the depot builds. 

Richard says, “We are thrilled to be expanding alongside our customers. CouriersPlease remains dedicated to providing exceptional parcel delivery services and a differentiated experience for customers and all Australians, while meeting growing demand and future-proofing our operations.”