Evri has acquired customs and logistics specialist Coll-8 to increase the speed of deliveries and returns for customers in the Republic of Ireland.

The delivery firm said that the “multi-million pound” acquisition will improve itsend-to-end capabilities in Ireland and wider European Union by integrating its parcel delivery services with Coll-8’s bespoke, digital customs clearance platform, which automates and streamlines cross-border trade.

Evri said that while it can guarantee next-day delivery within the UK, deliveries into the Republic of Ireland can take up to five days.

By leveraging Coll-8’s technology, Evri said it expects to reduce delivery times to two days, with coverage across first mile, middle mile and customs clearance for international customers.

Coll-8 currently has over 500 drop2shop pickup and drop-off (PUDO) locations in the country, many of which are at premises managed by BWG, Ireland's largest operator of convenience stores.

Coll-8, which was founded in 2021, currently serves major retailers and postal providers including Boots, THG, Boohoo, Holland & Barrett, and River Island which are all also Evri clients.

“We look forward to collaborating with Coll-8’s talented team to elevate our end-to-end service offering across the region, as their cutting-edge customs clearance platform will give Evri a seamless gateway into European markets,” said Martijn de Lange, cheif executive of Evri. “This transaction will be a win-win for our customers and clients. “This will make Evri the delivery solution of choice for both UK and Ireland and our first-ever acquisition signals our intent to build on our significant organic growth which has seen us triple in size in a short space of time.”

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