Logistics and fulfilment specialist, Diamond Logistics, has expanded its rapidly growing partner network into Northern Ireland.
Joining the network is The Postal Store, based in Strabane, which operates 12,000 sq. ft. of warehousing and fulfilment space across five facilities, providing storage, pick and pack, multi-carrier delivery and eCommerce fulfilment services for businesses across the UK and Ireland.
The partnership strengthens Diamond Logistics' growing network while giving eCommerce customers a strategic gateway into both the UK and European markets.
From its Northern Ireland base, The Postal Store allows businesses to distribute domestically into Great Britain while also providing access into the Republic of Ireland and wider Europe.
The latest agreement further strengthens Diamond's growing national footprint of more than 40 independently owned service centres and forms part of the company's continued expansion of its fulfilment and logistics capabilities across the UK
Founded by Managing Director Doug Martin, The Postal Store has grown significantly over the past decade. Initially recognising the unique advantages Northern Ireland offers businesses trading across both the UK and Europe, the company has since evolved from a parcel shipping business into a thriving fulfilment operation, achieving seven-figure turnover last year.
Joining the network gives The Postal Store access to Despatchlab, Diamond's proprietary logistics platform, which combines warehouse management, multi-carrier shipping and fulfilment into a single system.
The technology integrates with more than 130 online marketplaces and 80 carrier services, allowing customers to automate order processing, create shipping labels, manage stock and track deliveries in one single place.
For The Postal Store, the investment is already delivering operational improvements by removing time-consuming manual administration, allowing customers to generate their own shipping labels directly through integrated eCommerce platforms while freeing employees to focus on higher-value activities.
The new partnership also gives The Postal Store access to Diamond's national buying power with leading carriers, providing them access to more competitive shipping rates to customers.
Doug Martin, Managing Director of The Postal Store, said:
"Over the years, we’ve built a strong reputation across Northern Ireland by offering a personal service backed by flexible fulfilment solutions, but we knew that to move onto our next stage of growth, we would need better technology and greater support for us to be able to scale further.
"Despatchlab for us will be the catalyst to achieving that. It gives us one integrated platform to manage our entire operation rather than relying on multiple systems. Previously, we'd have team members manually creating shipping labels and carrying out time-consuming tasks. Now, customers can generate their own labels directly through the platform, freeing up our staff to focus on more constructive, hands-on areas of the business.
“Diamond's carrier relationships also allow us to offer far more competitive rates to both existing and prospective customers. Margins are becoming ever squeezed, so being able to offer shipping rates that are 60-70% lower on certain smaller parcels is a huge competitive advantage and marketing tool for us.
“What really appealed to me, though, was the partnership approach. It was important to me that we could retain The Postal Store’s identity and everything our customers know us for, while benefiting from being part of the Diamond Logistics network. We haven’t lost what sets us apart as a business; instead, we’ve gained access to the technology, buying power and real experts who are just a phone call away if an issue arises or simply, I want to bounce some ideas around. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Kate Lester, Chief Executive Officer at Diamond Logistics, added:
"Northern Ireland represents an important strategic location for both UK and international logistics, so we're delighted to welcome The Postal Store into the Diamond network.
"Doug and his team have built an excellent business with customer service at its heart, which aligns perfectly with our own values.
“By combining their local expertise with our proprietary technology, carrier network and support available through Diamond, we're now able to offer even greater opportunities for eCommerce businesses trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe."
