The Hermes Group closed the 2016 financial year on yet another positive note and was able in particular to gain market share in its parcel and bulky goods segment. The Hamburg-based trading and logistics provider grew its revenue in the 2016 financial year – adjusted for currency translation effects – by over seven percent to 2.640 billion euros (2015: 2.460 billion euros). Instrumental in this was again the Group's European parcel companies which, benefiting from flourishing global online retailing, transported about 640 million parcels to private customers, a rise of ten percent year on year. The Group's 2-man handling unit, delivering furniture and furnishings, also gained significantly with volumes growing by more than six percent. The integration of the French parcel shippers Mondial Relay and the acquisition last year of 2-man handling specialist Girard Agediss enabled Hermes to improve its competitive position in key European markets. Worldwide, Hermes currently employs 12,618 people, 8,500 (FTEs) alone in Germany.

BorderGuru, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hermes Group, has become the official contractual partner of China's Alibaba Group. With a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 452 bn USD and access to over 280 million customers, the Alibaba Group is currently the world's leading online retailer. Through its TMall Global shopping platform, Alibaba offers its Chinese customers popular international brands. On behalf of Cainiao, the logistics provider of the Chinese trading giant, BorderGuru GmbH is managing the whole logistics cross-border shipping process for European clients looking to sell on the booming Chinese market.

Once again the Hermes Group delivered more parcels in Europe over Christmas 2015 than the year before. In December alone, Hermes companies shipped around 25 percent more parcels than in the same period in 2014. This represents the strongest results in the company's history at this crucial time of the year for the parcel delivery industry. Key to this success lies primarily in encouraging developments at Hermes parcel companies in Germany, Austria and the UK. Having introduced new mobile services for the retail trade, these companies have been participating significantly in the ongoing boom in e-commerce. Hermes is also looking to push ahead with its strategy for growth in 2016 wit the Hermes Group generating additional capacities and expanding its global portfolio.

Hermes now operates Europe's largest delivery network shipping parcels to private households in both B2C and C2C channels. Covering 28 European countries, the network provides the highest standards of service in 2C business for both commercial and private clients. Pivotal to the Hermes network are the e-commerce markets in Germany, Austria, the UK, France and Italy which the company serves directly through its own country companies. In other countries, Hermes has focused on strategic alliances with national carriers with a proven track record in 2C shipments. International clients can clearly benefit from flexible shipping options that include access to 36,000 ParcelShops and pan-European returns and tracking solutions.

Hermes now operates Europe's largest delivery network shipping parcels to private households in both B2C and C2C channels. Covering 28 European countries, the network provides the highest standards of service in 2C business for both commercial and private clients. Pivotal to the Hermes network are the e-commerce markets in Germany, Austria, the UK, France and Italy which the company serves directly through its own country companies. In other countries, Hermes has focused on strategic alliances with national carriers with a proven track record in 2C shipments. International clients can clearly benefit from flexible shipping options that include access to 36,000 ParcelShops and pan-European returns and tracking solutions.

Hermes Logistik Gruppe Deutschland (HLGD) and Hermes Transport Logistics (HTL) will now be led by a common Executive Board. Frank Iden and Frank Rausch, who until now have been respectively responsible for the individual businesses will, with immediate effect, preside over the board as joint CEO. The aim of this is to bring the market presence and sales approach of the two independently acting companies into closer alignment. Also appointed as Members of the Executive Board are Olaf Schabirosky and Thomas Horst, both of whom are taking over newly created departments.

Hermes is looking to modernise its logistics infrastructure of its German parcel unit and will be investing around 300 million euros by 2018. With new locations, and customer-focussed services, the company is preparing for further growth and the boom in e-commerce. As part of the process, Hermes is looking to establish itself as a partner for small and medium enterprises (SME). Consequently, Hermes is planning to restructure its logistics network into 35 highly-efficient, optimally located logistics centres set up to process over 400 million parcels annually.

Earlier today, leading consumer delivery company Hermes officially opened its new purpose built, 15,000 square metre, state of the art parcel distribution hub in Warrington, in front of an audience of over 80 of its top retail customers.