Smethwick-headquartered parcel giant DPD reported turnover nearing the £1.3bn mark during its latest financial year.

DPD Group UK filed accounts showing a turnover of £1.028bn for the 12 months to 29 December 2019, up from £972.8m. Its pre-tax profits went from £142.4m to £135m during the same period.

New accounts for DPD Local UK Ltd also reveal a turnover of £360.9m, up from £342.4m. Its operating profit went from £47.1m to £48.2m over the same time. The company does not report consolidated accounts.

The Queen’s Award-winning delivery firm operates from more than 60 locations across the UK and has in excess of 13,000 employees. Since June 2019 it has operated from a new warehouse in Sandwell, servicing the country from this central location.

The company announced plans back in June this year to create 6,000 new jobs and invest £200m to expand its capacity in response to the boom in online shopping as a result of Covid-19.

Its plans include expansion of its next-day parcel capacity, spending £100m on vehicles, £60m on 15 new regional depots and the remainder on technology.

DPD is forecasting growth to continue this year as people continue to rely online deliveries for a greater proportion of their shopping, including food and drink. The new jobs being created include delivery and HGV drivers, warehouse staff, management positions and support staff, including mechanics.

A financial statement signed off by the board said: “The company ended the year in a very strong financial position and the board believe that this position, coupled with the strength of its parent La Poste puts it in a market leading position for future development.

“Despite the pandemic, the company has not had to take advantage of the government’s support schemes and continues to trade ahead of its pre-Covid levels, continuing to offer excellent service levels to its customers and continuing to grow its market share in line with strategic objectives.”