DHL eyes Engen service stations as collection points

Engen is an obvious partner for us – they are not only a solid African business but have an extensive retail network across the continent

Four Engen service stations in Windhoek has been selected by Deutsche Post subsidiary, DHL Express to participate in a pilot project to determine the viability of using Engen service stations as DHL service points.
It is the logistics giant’s intention to roll out this model across the entire sub-Saharan Africa if the pilot leads to positive results. DHL announced earlier this week it has signed a partnership agreement with Engen as a multi-national fuel and convenience retailer, to use the latter’s facilities to offer DHL services.
The Namibian pilot project will run at Jan Jonker, Bonsmara, Eureka and Klingenberg service stations.

“A consumer looking to send documents or parcels overseas can simply walk into an Engen service station to send their shipment, ensuring greater convenience and accessibility to the powerful global network which DHL offers. This includes all domestic and international shipments to major centres across over 220 countries worldwide.”
After Windhoek, the project will be rolled out in phases. Botswana, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Tanzania are earmarked for the second phase.
Consumers will also be able to take advantage of DHL’s new product offering, Express Easy, at the Engen outlets. Express Easy provides an easy way to send documents or parcels, as consumers can choose an  envelope or one of seven box sizes and enjoy a fixed price for that size, rather than paying a rate based on the weight of the parcel. Consumers are simply able to pick their box, pay the fixed rate and send their document or parcel to any of DHL’s global destinations.
Sumesh Rahavendra, Head of Marketing for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, welcomed the news, saying that it would have a great impact on consumers across the continent.
“The express logistics industry, and specifically retail services for consumers and small and medium enterprises, are becoming hugely important in Africa. For us to better service this market and open up global opportunities for students, small business owners and general consumers, we needed to both increase access to our express products but, simultaneously, make it easier and more affordable to use them. Engen is therefore an obvious partner for us – they are not only a solid African business but have an extensive retail network across the continent, which can benefit consumers.”
“As one of Africa’s leading energy companies, we consistently look for ways to deliver on our brand promise of ‘With us you are Number One’,” said Nangula Hamunyela, Managing Director of Engen in Namibia “Partnering with DHL means that we can extend our capabilities and give our valued customers the access and affordability around express services that they need.”