Copyright thediplomat
Ahead of Black Friday — the biggest annual discount campaign run by retailers every November — FAN Courier announces that it has increased its automated sorting capacity to over 2.2 million parcels per day. The company, which expects delivery volumes to grow by more than 20% compared to the same period last year, began preparations during the summer to further streamline deliveries and reduce waiting times for end customers. To ensure operational fluidity during the discount campaign, the courier company has made significant investments in out-of-home delivery solutions — the FANbox and Collect Point networks — as well as in automation and technology upgrades. These include installing a new automatic sorting line with a capacity of over 30,000 parcels/hour in the Ștefăneștii de Jos HUB, along with continued investments in fleet expansion and courier teams. Before the start of the campaign, FAN Courier reinforced its staff, now operating with more than 9,000 employees. The company has increased its automatic sorting capacity through upgraded processing lines and expanded the out-of-home delivery infrastructure to approximately 5,500 locations, more than half of which are FANbox lockers. In preparation for the largest discount campaign of the year, FAN Courier accelerated the development of its locker network with an additional investment of 5 million euros. FANbox represents one of the company’s most significant investments in recent years and a key strategic advantage for fast and efficient deliveries. “Although Romania’s e-commerce market started the year at a more cautious pace, due to consumers’ heightened financial prudence, we are now seeing a rebound in the appetite for online shopping during the second part of the year. Therefore, we expect an intense Black Friday, with delivery volumes exceeding last year’s by more than 20%. Our estimates, while conservative, are based on concrete discussions we have been having for months with our retail partners. Every year, we start preparing for this period in the summer to adjust logistics processes and support major commercial campaigns. We are seeing a clear shift in customer behavior, with ‘out of home’ deliveries becoming more popular due to increased flexibility and convenience, which is why we continuously invest in the FANbox locker network. A significant part of our investment has gone into automation and technology, as well as into fleet expansion and courier recruitment and training. We have opened new HUBs and automated others to improve operational flows. For example, the new center in Bacău and the latest-generation sorting line in Ștefănești ensure increased processing capacity and shorter delivery times. We are ready to successfully handle the Black Friday campaign,” said Adrian Mihai, CEO and co-founder of FAN Courier. In 2025, FAN Courier acquired 500 new lockers and 350 extensions for existing units, significantly increasing delivery capacity and the number of available compartments. The FANbox network, which will exceed 3,000 units nationwide, is complemented by more than 2,000 additional pickup and drop-off points, including Collect Points and FAN Courier branches. The company also plans to continue expanding its locker delivery infrastructure this year, targeting the acquisition of 600 additional locker modules. This expansion responds to growing consumer demand for out-of-home deliveries — a rising trend among Romanian shoppers who prefer to collect parcels according to their own schedule, without depending on courier visits. Alongside the expansion of its locker network, FAN Courier has also invested heavily in automation and advanced technology, including a new automatic sorting band at the Ștefăneștii de Jos HUB, which adds an extra sorting capacity of around 30,000 parcels/hour. As a result, the company’s total processing capacity in Bucharest exceeds 2.2 million parcels per 24 hours — a performance made possible by continuous modernization of internal operations. FAN Courier continues to accelerate digital transformation with advanced IT solutions for real-time parcel tracking, faster communication with consignees, and flexible redirection options via its mobile app and smart delivery link sent by SMS. The company increasingly relies on technology to enhance customer experience, offering a simpler, more predictable, and sustainable delivery process. At the same time, FAN Courier is making strategic investments in international development, strengthening its presence in Central and Western Europe and in the Republic of Moldova, offering sellers in the region integrated, flexible, and scalable logistics services. Its portfolio covers the full logistics chain — from domestic and international transport, warehousing, and inventory management to full fulfilment services, delivery, customs clearance, and returns processing. This year, FAN Courier launched operations in Poland — a strategic area for European e-commerce — providing optimized delivery times and fast access to Western and Northern European markets. In addition, the company continues to grow operations in the Republic of Moldova, consolidating its role as a key logistics bridge between the EU and eastern markets. Regarding fulfilment services, FAN Courier is preparing for a major logistics expansion phase aimed at boosting processing capacity, delivery accuracy, and operational flexibility for sellers active in cross-border e-commerce. Through modern stock management technologies, automation, and seamless digital integration with major e-commerce platforms, the company offers full transparency and maximum efficiency to its clients. In parallel, the company continues to invest in logistics infrastructure, expanding warehousing space, modernizing its fleet, and implementing sustainable transport solutions. FAN Courier is also developing multimodal and maritime services, enabling efficient combinations of road, rail, and sea transport, reducing costs and transit times.
