Fives completes capacity expansion in record time at DPD France's Rhône-Alpes hub
Faced with rising parcel volumes and the need to maintain high service levels, DPD France decided to invest in order to increase the capacity of its Rhône-Alpes sorting hub, originally built in collaboration with Fives in 2020. The new expansion was made possible thanks to the flexibility and scalability of the original solution, which had been designed to allow for future growth.
To achieve the goal of enhancing throughput while ensuring continuity of daily activities, Fives delivered a solution that combined technical precision with operational agility. The project included extending the existing sorter, integrating a new induction line and adding several output destinations, all carefully engineered to fit within the hub’s current layout and processes.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the project was the speed and simplicity of execution. The sorter extension was completed in just over a week, enabling DPD France to resume full operations almost immediately. This rapid turnaround minimized downtime and ensured uninterrupted parcel flows throughout the upgrade.
“The extension of the sorter has been achieved in just over a week and with minimal operational impact. Following the implementation of new chutes and an additional upstream line, DPD now sort 23% more items in its facility. Thanks to the expertise and flexibility of our team, we successfully increased the hub’s capacity without affecting daily operations. The speed of implementation and the quality of collaboration were outstanding”, says Matteo Colombo, Project Manager at Fives Intralogistics SpA.
“Due to production constraints, we only had one week to extend the sorter. This week was the culmination of several months of work by Fives and DPD France project teams. Beyond the contractual performance achieved, the extended system allowed us to approach the peak period in a more serene manner”, adds Nicolas Derreal, Industrial Projects Manager at DPD France.
Beyond the success, the project was marked by a strong collaborative spirit. The close relationship between DPD France and Fives project teams played a crucial role in the smooth execution of the upgrade. From initial design to final commissioning, the teams worked side by side, sharing insights and aligning on every detail to ensure a seamless transition.
Looking ahead, Nicolas Derreal states: “We are also planning a further extension of the large parcel sorter located in the new hall, which will allow us to fully complete the transformation of Hub 126 by the end of 2026.”
This achievement further strengthens Fives’ position as a strategic partner for leading logistics players. By combining engineering expertise, operational flexibility and a collaborative approach, Fives continues to deliver solutions that support customer growth while safeguarding performance.