Deutsche Post DHL Group (DHL) and Poste Italiane S.p.A. (Post Italiane) have signed a multi-year partnership in the logistics and e-commerce sectors.

In a statement, DHL said the strategic partnership in the Italian and international parcel markets would include DHL eCommerce Solutions managing the road delivery of Poste Italiane parcels to European destinations; DHL Express and Poste Italiane providing greater choice and flexibility to Italian customers for premium worldwide express service through their networks; and Poste Italiane delivering parcels from DHL eCommerce Solutions and DHL Parcel Germany shipped to Italy.

Joint venture for parcel lockers

Poste Italiane and DHL eCommerce Solutions would also invest in a Joint Venture to create a modern and sustainable network of parcel lockers in Italy. 

"By combining Poste Italiane's extraordinary national infrastructure and potential on international markets with our global network and expertise in international trade, we will be able to leverage our strengths in a truly effective partnership," said Tobias Meyer, CEO-designate of Deutsche Post DHL Group.

Meyer noted that e-commerce is not only one of the four megatrends identified in DHL Group's strategy, but it is also one of the "biggest growth drivers" of its business.

"We believe our partnership will offer the highest quality to customers and meet the growing demand for efficient and sustainable solutions," he added.

Matteo Del Fante, Poste Italiane CEO and general manager, for his part, noted that the agreement is another building block in the company's "strategic transformation" into a fully-fledged logistics operator.

"Our leadership is placed at Italy's service, whose economy has a historical vocation towards international trade. DHL is the ideal partner to best connect our customers to international markets, with inbound and outbound delivery options as well as an advanced automated locker network, further to existing e-commerce solutions," Del Fante added.

Poste Italiane and DHL are expected to bring their individual strengths and experience to the partnership.

Poste Italiane has a large service point network and Italian customers will be able to send urgent shipments via the global DHL Express network by dropping them off at Poste Italiane service points.

Moreover, DHL eCommerce Solutions, together with Poste Italiane, will be installing modern and sustainable parcel lockers with user-friendly interfaces at key locations across Italy.

In addition, DHL eCommerce Solutions will support Poste Italiane by delivering parcels through its European network, and Poste Italiane will support DHL eCommerce Solutions by delivering parcels in Italy.