MBE UK & Ireland will retain its current management team and its headquarters will remain in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) is now part of the MBE Worldwide network, in a move that adds the UK and Republic of Ireland to the existing community of countries whose networks are directly operated by the global master licensor. MBE UK & Ireland, which has 153 stores, will join Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Poland, Portugal, the US, Canada, Australia and The Netherlands – making up the 1,667 MBE branded locations, of the group’s 2,800 global service centres in 53 countries worldwide.
Simon Cowie, chairman of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited, believes this is an exciting development for the MBE UK & Ireland franchise system, saying: “Combining forces with MBE Worldwide creates unique opportunities for synergy with our colleagues, harnessing their strong franchise-based experience to support our franchise network and grow our business in the UK and Ireland.”
MBE UK & Ireland will retain its current management team and its headquarters will remain in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
“This acquisition demonstrates the MBE Worldwide commitment to growing the Mail Boxes Etc. brand and network of post, parcel and print centres across core European markets, at a time of trade disruption caused by the impact of Brexit, as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic,” says Francis Laryea, managing director of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited.
The acquisition is an attractive proposition from MBE Worldwide’s point of view too. Paolo Fiorelli, chairman and CEO of MBE Worldwide, admits: “MBE UK & Ireland is an excellent addition to our directly operated countries because of its entrepreneur-driven, people-centric, customer-first business model, which embodies our MBE business and culture. We welcome and are excited to work even closer with the team, to provide high-value solutions to our business and consumer customers in the UK & Ireland market.”
The change is good news for prospective franchisees too, says MBE UK’s franchising manager, Heather Hannant: “This is a great time to join the MBE network in the UK or Ireland – entrepreneurs will be reassured by the size, strength and expertise brought by MBE Worldwide.”