Royal Mail has announced a major leap forward in its transformation journey, confirming that 90% of its parcel operations are now automated. The company hailed the achievement as a significant boost to efficiency and customer service, marking a new era for its delivery network.

This success follows significant investment in technology, including the launch of two advanced parcel hubs in Warrington and Daventry, which together can handle up to 1.5 million parcels daily. Additional upgrades include ten new conveyors for large parcels at mail centres nationwide, and high-speed sorting machines in Leeds, Plymouth, and Exeter - each capable of processing an extra 21,000 parcels per hour.

To further streamline services, Royal Mail rolled out an updated app in March 2025, allowing customers to receive proof of postage when using barcoded labels at one of the UK’s 115,000 post-boxes. The firm has also introduced digital tracking to its transportation containers and added barcodes to stamps, enhancing traceability and tackling counterfeit issues.

Royal Mail’s Chief Operating Officer, Alistair Cochrane, called the automation milestone a “crucial step” in building a smarter delivery network. He emphasised the company’s ongoing commitment to adopting new technology to meet rising expectations while equipping staff with the tools to work more effectively in a fast-moving logistics landscape.