The acquisition sees MBA Worldwide purchase the Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) business from the former master licensee, adding the U.K. and Republic of Ireland to its existing community of ‘directly operated’ countries.
Milan-based MBE Worldwide is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfilment, print and marketing solutions and operates under different complementary brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (except the U.S. and Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, Pack & Send, and Multicopy.
With the Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) deal inked, the brand now has a presence in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland, as well as Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Poland, Portugal, U.S., Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. The total number of MBE service centres operating under the Mail Boxes Etc. brand is 1,667, out of 2,800 global service centres in 53 countries worldwide.
MBE UK & Ireland will retain its current management team and its headquarters will remain in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. The company was founded in 1993 and based in Oxfordshire, and has 153 service centres providing services to customers, primarily businesses (small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises), as well as consumers.
“This is an exciting development for the MBE UK & Ireland franchise system,” said Simon Cowie, chairman of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited. “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 & Ireland.”
“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,” said Francis Laryea, managing director of Mail Boxes Etc. (UK) Limited.
“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,” said Paolo Fiorelli, chairman and CEO of MBE Worldwide.
The change is also good news for prospective franchisees,” said MBE UK’s marketing manager, James Simmons, “This is a great time to join the MBE network in the U.K. or Ireland – entrepreneurs will be reassured by the size, strength and expertise brought by MBE Worldwide.”
