The Florida, United States-based logistics management and package delivery company, Aeropost, has partnered with a Polish company to invest more than J$150 million in a new parcel locker system in Jamaica.
However, the partnership in the parcel locker business with Integer.pl Group of Poland is intended to be extended across 30 countries regionally.
Local package delivery provider, Mailpac, will be using the system for faster turnaround time for distributing packages locally.
The latest version of the parcel locker promises Aeropost customers a self-service option to pick up their packages 24 hours a day/seven days a week with the use of special codes.
"We could install as many as 50 machines in Jamaica over the next three years, representing a US$1.5-million (J$159 million) investment in the country, as well as new jobs and improved trade conditions," Jeff Duchesneau, chief operating officer of Aeropost, told Wednesday Business.
He said the first machine will be installed in Jamaica in the third quarter of 2014.
Regionally, the new technology is expected to be deployed in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, followed by roll-outs in Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Panama, and the Dominican Republic during the year.
Not resting on laurels
Duchesneau said "The automated parcel lockers are just one more example of Aeropost refusing to rest on its laurels. With them, customers will be able to pick up their packages 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the most convenient locations around Jamaica. The customers receive a four-digit PIN (personal identification number) (and another code) which allows them to pick up their packages at their designated locker."
The Aeropost officer said that "Each unit can hold up to 50 packages and are designed to be filled two to three times a day by a Mailpac team member, depending on demand. There will be no extra charge for locker pick-up, and we expect to use this technology to increase even further our islandwide delivery system."
The system will enhance existing systems which include pre-alerts, SMS package notifications, and a MyAero tracking apps designed by Aeropost for Android, iPhones, and the BlackBerry platform in the Caribbean.
According to Duchesneau, Aeropost will be partnering with Mailpac and Mailpac's local network of alliances - banks, shopping centres, high-end petrol service stations and office parks - to install the lockers in safe and secure locations.
"The units come with 24-hour surveillance cameras," Duchesneau said.
Poland-based InPost, a subsidiary of Integer.pl Group, which also provides courier solutions and e-commerce services, has been selected as technology provider. "They are very excited to have entered into this exclusive partnership with Aeropost that covers the entire Caribbean and Central America," Duchesneau said.
"InPost currently has successful deployments going on in Poland, Estonia, Russia, Aus-tralia, England, and Ukraine," he said, noting that they are excited about adding the Caribbean and the Americas.