WPS franchise launch
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• Parcels company WPS Express is preparing to launch its own franchise scheme in August, complete with a new company livery, and is on the verge of tying up a deal in international parcels.
The Midlands-based company has major branch offices in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Southampton, with a further 100 depots directly serving local needs. All these depots will be offered contracts to be part of the new franchised operation. WPS also hopes to take on more outlets to boost its network to 120.
The new franchise arrangement will give WPS a fleet of 3-400 vehicles which it intends to increase over the next few years.
Mac Warner, WPS Express managing director, says the company is preparing for 1992: "Only a few people will be in business internationally and we're going to be one of them. We expect a large portion of freight that will come on-board from 1992 and we need a firstclass distributor network to handle it. We are embarking on a major operation that will take a year to complete."
The programme to introduce a new logo design and new liv
ery for its fleet is already underway. Door-to-door delivery vans are being painted white with blue and red lettering. City-to-city trunking vehicles are red with white logos.
"For the first time in the history of WPS we will be identified as a national service," claims Warner. "Our aim is to become a national operation offering a local and personal service. By increasing the number of depots we can improve the service to our customers."
Warner says the franchising scheme will make the whole WPS operation tighter and more controllable. "It will follow the lines of a normal franchise and will have to conform to certain criteria includ
ing premises, vehicles, staff and location — many of the details have still to be decided. But most of our existing associates comply with these regulations anyway.
"Our international deal will be signed at the end of July. It is part of our plan to offer a worldwide service. In the future, customers are going to make one call for their international shipping requirements."
WPS Express was formed two years ago. It is controlled from a hub in the West Midlands and currently has a turnover of 25 million. It offers such options as next day delivery at a set time, or on Saturdays. For less urgent consignments it has an economy three-working-day service.