Bloq.it & InPost to deploy 20,000 battery smart lockers in Europe
Bloq.it has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with parcel delivery provider InPost to deploy more than 20,000 new smart lockers across Europe over the next five years.
The partnership will see InPost utilising Bloq.it's flagship NEXT battery-powered locker technology, which operates off-grid and enables installation in locations previously inaccessible to traditional locker solutions.
The rollout has already commenced, with the first installations of NEXT lockers taking place in France and the UK since July. Plans are in place to expand deployment to Italy, Portugal, and Spain by the end of the year, with further expansion across additional European markets expected to follow.
Under the agreement, Bloq.it will provide end-to-end services for InPost's automated parcel machine (APM) network. These services include the design, deployment, and ongoing technical and operational support, aimed at supporting InPost's network growth and management.
The deal also includes a small minority investment from InPost into Bloq.it, which highlights increased confidence from the logistics provider in Bloq.it's smart locker technology and business model.
Technology deployment
Bloq.it's NEXT locker represents a fully independent locker unit powered by batteries, designed for durability and with a projected lifespan of ten years. The technology does not rely on electrical or solar infrastructure, a feature that allows installation at a broader range of sites than previous models. According to Bloq.it, this development sets a new standard for sustainability in the parcel locker sector.
With the current agreement, InPost is joining an existing roster of Bloq.it clients that already includes Vinted Go, GLS, and DHL, reflecting a growing presence of Bloq.it across the European smart locker landscape.
Bloq.it's involvement in all aspects of the deployment process is expected to help InPost improve efficiency and scalability for its expanding network.
Executive perspectives
Bloq.it is laser-focused on accelerating Europe's shift to out-of-home delivery. Partnering with InPost allows us to roll out NEXT, our flagship off-grid locker, wherever people live and work, giving consumers true pick-up freedom. This partnership also represents an important step toward our long-term goal: building a truly independent company, prepared for the next chapter in our journey, and who can serve all the customers in the market and help them accelerate their OOH plans.
Miha Jagodic, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bloq.it, described the partnership as an important move towards establishing an independent infrastructure layer for the parcel locker industry.
Our strategic investment in Bloq.it is a game-changer for our European expansion. This partnership not only gives us access to next-generation technology but also allows us to solidify our market leadership by offering unprecedented convenience to our customers. We expect this to have a positive impact on our growth trajectory and long-term profitability.
This was the statement from Rafał Brzoska, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InPost, referencing the anticipated positive market and financial impacts of the partnership.
Market implications
The rollout is set to accelerate in line with InPost's plans for further European growth, coinciding with broader trends in eCommerce and out-of-home delivery solutions. Both companies intend for the partnership to enhance consumer convenience and expand access to parcel delivery and pick-up points across a larger geographical footprint.
Bloq.it's technology will underpin network growth for InPost and is positioned as a confirmation of its role as a technology provider to many of the largest logistics and eCommerce companies in Europe.
The companies expect the expanded network of lockers to play a significant role in supporting the increasing demand for unattended parcel delivery solutions throughout Europe's eCommerce sector.
