It's always frustrating: Going to the mailbox brings with it the sad realization that the long-awaited package was practically in the hallway, only to have to make a detour to the nearest post office due to your absence. This is now set to end. The Munich-based startup PAKX wants to offer its users the option of having packages delivered on a date of their choosing. We took a closer look.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
Patrick: We're Elias Kuby (31) and Patrick Rexroth (37), and with PAKX, we're solving the last-mile delivery problem in e-commerce. Almost everyone who likes to order online and isn't at home during the day is regularly annoyed by missed packages. DHL, Hermes, and others have so far failed to offer flexible and reschedulable delivery dates within customer-friendly time frames; up to 40 percent of all packages to private customers don't reach the intended recipient immediately. Because we were simply tired of organizing our lives around our packages, we developed a solution that finally allows all packages to be organized around us.
Elias: Anyone who registers with PAKX receives a personalized address, which they simply specify as the delivery address for future orders in the online shop. This allows packages to be sent directly to PAKX, where they are assigned to the recipient using an ID. Whenever a package arrives at PAKX, the recipient receives a notification and can select their preferred delivery date online with just a few clicks. PAKX offers the same-evening delivery within two time slots (7 p.m.-9 p.m. and 9 p.m.-11 p.m.), and upon request, the driver can even call instead of ringing the doorbell.
© PAKX
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Elias: Not at all. The major delivery companies have spent a lot of time developing solutions that only work with their own service – even though end customers rarely have a choice over who they send a parcel with. Packstations, usually located far away and frequently overcrowded, are one such example, as they only work with DHL. Parcel shops or the hairdresser on the ground floor are also suboptimal, as they're often already closed by the time you get home in the evening. PAKX is the only solution that works with all delivery companies, and only with PAKX is parcels guaranteed to arrive at your doorstep on the desired date – without lugging, queuing, or an involuntary walk.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
Patrick: First and foremost, technological synergy: Our platform has a highly automated backend, and it's also very intuitive, allowing our customers to manage their parcels anytime, anywhere with just a few clicks. Furthermore, the platform combines the "time-to-delivery" needs of private customers with the existing capacities of logistics partners. This way, we're creating an ecosystem without our own fleet.
Our platform independence is also important. By bundling parcels from all logistics providers, we achieve a significant efficiency advantage. A delivery area that would otherwise be served separately by DHL, Hermes, DPD, etc., can be served with just one PAKX vehicle. This enables us to plan efficient routes with a high stop density and also reduces CO2 emissions.
What's essential, however, is our extremely high level of customer focus: PAKX was created as a solution to an unsolved problem, as a response to a specific customer need. We intend to maintain this responsiveness at all costs. We always actively seek dialogue with our customers to fully understand their needs and further develop PAKX accordingly. For example, in a few weeks we will be expanding the service to include return pickup and a third time slot from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. – simply because many of our customers request it.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Elias: We've already delivered several thousand parcels in Munich in the first few months and are recording double-digit monthly growth rates. The concept has been consistently well-received, not only by end customers and online retailers, but also by logistics providers. Interestingly, one might initially assume that there's a competitive situation between PAKX and the large delivery companies. In fact, these companies are the ones who benefit most from PAKX, because we significantly increase their first-time delivery rate. For example, a driver who previously needed an entire day to deliver 150 parcels can now do it in just a few minutes with PAKX – the cost savings are obvious.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Patrick: I came to Munich in 2009 for a job at Yahoo, where I most recently led the European SEO team. I liked the city from the start, and I now believe that it certainly has nothing to hide from other cities when it comes to its startup mentality. In other words, Munich's beer gardens generate at least as many good ideas as Berlin's meeting rooms. Munich has a very vibrant startup scene and regularly produces great companies.
Elias: I was born and raised in beautiful Bavaria. Since there aren't many cities in the world that can compete with Munich, the decision to live here was an obvious one. I came across the startup scene rather late. But after a few years as a project manager in the construction industry, it was a hugely positive change. Munich may not be quite as "hip" as Berlin, but that definitely has its advantages. No one has to drink mate tea here. A cool Helles beer is perfectly fine.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Patrick: We're here to stay. There's a clear need for PAKX. Online shopping is booming, and the B2C parcel market is growing at over 7 percent per year, and the trend is rising. Our customer feedback has been overwhelming, so PAKX's expansion will begin immediately after our next funding round this summer. PAKX aims to be available in Germany's five largest cities by the end of the year.
7. Fish on a stick or pork knuckle?
Elias: Grilled fish
Patrick: Definitely… chicken.
