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Omniva takes home Service Provider of the Year trophy at Parcel and Postal Technology International Awards 2025

Hazel KingBy 13 Mins Read
Signe Kukin, Omniva Group board member and CFO
Signe Kukin (center), Omniva Group board member and CFO

The winners of this year’s Parcel and Postal Technology International Awards have been announced during a live awards ceremony at Parcel+Post Expo in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, October 21, revealed who triumphed in each of the nine award categories.

Service Provider of the Year: Omniva

This year’s Service Provider of the Year award went to Omniva for its bold leadership in a transforming postal landscape. With a strategic focus on international logistics, PUDO services and digital transformation, Omniva achieved 64% growth in international business, which now accounts for 26% of its total revenue.

Innovations like same-day delivery and Picapac (close-to-home parcel lockers) enhanced delivery speed and flexibility for e-commerce customers. In May 2025, Omniva advanced further with the launch of Community Parcel Lockers – shared, village-level smart lockers now serving rural communities in Estonia. These lockers ensure convenient, inclusive last-mile access within walking distance, supporting both customer autonomy and sustainable delivery.

Operational capacity expanded significantly with the launch of the €42m (US$48m) Kaunas Sorting Centre in September 2024, which processes up to 12,000 parcels per hour and underpins Omniva’s growing cross-border network in 11 markets.

Digital investments in mobile apps, online tracking and self-service portals have modernized the customer journey, offering transparency and control. By scaling innovation, enhancing customer service and expanding its regional footprint, Omniva has strengthened its bottom line and redefined what it means to be a future-ready postal organization – respected by customers, partners and peers alike.

Also shortlisted:

  • Nova Post
  • Pošta Slovenije
  • Unipart
  • Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation

Supplier of the Year: Keba

As a key player in the parcel locker market in Europe since 2000, Keba was awarded the Supplier of the Year award. The company has more than 2,300,000 compartments in the field and more than 11 million online transactions per day, highlighting its strength and the attractiveness of its solutions. The company originally developed its locker solution in partnership with DHL and has more than 30,000 lockers units deployed worldwide.

As a one-stop-shop, Keba provides more than just hardware. Keba’s offer for postal organizations is a holistic system that consists of a high-quality locker portfolio, a top-tier software portfolio and a service offer that is tailored exactly to the needs of postal and parcel organizations. The company prides itself on diving into the world of its customers to understand their challenges, needs and people and collaborates with its customers early on to develop solutions that are a perfect fit. Keba has also focused on establishing strong, trusting and long-lasting partnerships over its 25-year history.

Commenting on the award, Robert Zehetner (pictured above, left), vice president of logistics automation at Keba, said, “We are deeply honored to receive the Supplier of the Year award. It’s a meaningful recognition of our team’s passion, dedication and commitment. Thank you to our customers and partners for your trust, collaboration and shared vision. We are proud to walk this path together, continuing to shape the future and deliver excellence.”

Also shortlisted

  • ARKA Smart Parcel Locker
  • Modern Expo
  • SEW-Eurodrive
  • Tata Consultancy Services
  • Trackonomy

Sorting Technology of the Year: PostNord – Smart Connected Terminal

PostNord received the Sorting Technology of the Year award in recognition of its advanced computer vision initiative being rolled out at its sorting terminals in the Nordics. The initiative included the deployment of five high-impact computer vision applications within a single sorting terminal. By leveraging existing camera infrastructure, PostNord overcame a key barrier to innovation and transformed its camera systems from passive security tools into active drivers of operational excellence – all within GDPR compliance.

Today, computer vision fuels core processes: tracking trailer and truck fill rates, measuring load/unload times, and ensuring process discipline through the Truck Utilization system. It calculates granular cost insights with the cost-per-process tool, maps assets and workflows through the digital thread, and powers both yard management and a real-time digital twin that optimizes sorter performance and staffing.

According to PostNord, this is not just technology – it is transformation of the sorting process. The integrated computer vision strategy is a blueprint for scalable efficiency and is already set to roll out at three major hubs, with plans to expand to the 12 largest terminals across the Nordics.

Commenting on the win, Ravi Kiran Kotty (pictured above, right), digital transformation technology strategist at PostNord, said, “This award is a strong acknowledgement of our vision to combine digital intelligence, automation and connectivity into the next generation of parcel logistics. The Smart Connected Terminal is designed to set new standards in efficiency, transparency and sustainability across the industry.

“We thank the jury, our partners and above all our dedicated teams whose hard work and creativity made this possible. Together, we are shaping the future of logistics.”

Also shortlisted:

  • DFT – Push tray sorter
  • Equinox – LRH-sorter
  • Körber – ErgoUnload
  • Leonardo – SortGuard
  • SEW-Eurodrive – Smart Stationary Conveyor
  • Vanderlande – SPOX

Business Diversification of the Year: Ukrposhta – pharmacy services

In recognition of its new pharmacy services, which aim to bring medical treatment and prescriptions to all areas of Ukraine, Ukrposhta was awarded the Business Diversification of the Year award.

According to the postal operator, more than 20,000 villages are home to around six million people, yet only 11% have pharmacies. The situation is even worse in frontline areas, where many pharmacies have been destroyed by the war, leaving thousands without reliable access to essential medicines.

To address this, Ukrposhta obtained all necessary licenses for medicine distribution and launched Ukrposhta Pharmacy, ensuring people receive treatments regardless of location. With a vast network of 4,273 stationary and 1,867 mobile post offices, Ukrposhta delivers life-saving medications even to the most remote and war-affected areas where no other logistics operators work. Clients can order medications online, by phone or with the help of Ukrposhta employees, with free delivery.

By partnering directly with leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Ukrposhta keeps prices affordable, making healthcare more accessible when and where people need it most. The company also joined a government program that provides essential medications for chronic diseases free or at a reduced cost by prescription. The launch of Ukrposhta Pharmacy supports the Ukrainian government in easing the burden on those affected by war and economic hardship. What started as a pilot in one region has grown into a nationwide service with thousands of orders. To scale operations, Ukrposhta has obtained wholesale and retail trade licenses and installed an automated sorting line capable of processing 1,500 orders per day.

Also shortlisted:

  • Air Business – Consero
  • Kazpost – multifunctional service centers
  • UPU – Insurance partnership with AXA and CNP Assurances
  • Post Office Ltd – Western Union money transfers

Environmental Achievement of the Year: CTT – Leading the way in sustainable fleet and energy

Portugal’s CTT was recognized for its sustainability strategy, which aims to reduce total direct and indirect emissions by 55% by 2030, with a key goal of reaching 50% electric vehicles in the last-mile fleet by the end of 2025 and 100% by 2030. The company also sources 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.

To support this transition, CTT partnered with EDP to install solar energy production units and is developing its own electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Road safety is also a top priority, with a telematics project underway to monitor driving behavior and ensure safe deliveries and employee protection.

According to the post, energy transition is a cross-cutting priority across all business areas, with each contributing to the achievement of these ambitious goals. This transformation enables CTT to meet the expectations of customers and stakeholders who seek not only sustainable business practices but also a sustainable planet for future generations.

Also shortlisted:

  • Amazon – plastic packaging reduction
  • Omniva – energy reduction and employees wellbeing projects
  • PrintGreen – sustainability tools

Last-Mile Delivery Innovation of the Year: Innovative Robot Delivery – Smarcel

Innovative Robot Delivery’s Smarcel automated, mobile parcel locker was named Last-Mile Delivery Innovation of Year, with the judges recognizing it for its ability to address the major structural challenges of parcel logistics: labor shortages, rising delivery costs, traffic congestion, limited access to parcel shop/locker locations, and excessive packaging waste.

Smarcel holds up to 200 parcels and fits into a standard parking space. Loaded overnight at the carrier’s depot, it is placed at temporary urban locations for 12–14 hours daily, where customers receive app-based notifications to pick up parcels or return items. It then returns to the depot, ready for the next cycle. There is no fixed infrastructure needed, which enables rapid deployment and scaling.

Smarcel also enables automated loading/unloading at depots and supports a closed-loop reusable packaging system: packaging stays in the locker, eliminating the need for deposit models or return logistics. Smarcel is designed to pair seamlessly with autonomous vehicles, enabling a truly automated last mile once regulations allow, unlike conventional delivery or fixed lockers that always require manual intervention.

Following a DHL pilot in Stockholm this year, Innovative Robot Delivery is now in talks with multiple carriers and marketplaces for further implementation.

Also shortlisted:

  • Amazon – Drone delivery
  • Bettermile – modular, API-based, GDPR-compliant platform
  • CTT – Smart System
  • Keba – Loxmate
  • Modern Expo – Dual-Grid Parcel Locker

Packaging Innovation of the Year: Amazon – Redesigned device packaging

Amazon received the award for Packaging Innovation of the Year thanks to several changes it has made to its device packaging to make it even more recyclable – the company has now delivered 90% of devices in the USA in 100% recyclable device packaging.

One of the key changes Amazon made was removing the plastic bags inside and outside the box. It replaced outer plastic wraps with a water-based coating that keeps the box safe and undamaged; and inside the box, it uses paper-based wraps that protect the device and are compatible with paper recycling streams.

Amazon has redesigned its device packaging for Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV products to improve the circularity of its packaging. The new packaging introduces, on average, 30% more recycled fiber content, reducing the reliance on virgin tree-based and bleached fibers. That means that the company is using more fiber content that’s already been recycled by customers and is in circulation. Across Amazon’s device product lines, it averages 98% wood fiber-based materials in its packaging.

According to Amazon, the new packaging also uses 60% less ink, and the design looks more like the brown kraft box design that Amazon customers are already familiar with because the company isn’t bleaching its boxes. Bleaching uses chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and the process of bleaching can be carbon intensive. The brown kraft design also enables Amazon to increase the amount of post-consumer recycled materials it is using – more than double the amount it was using before.

Also shortlisted:

  • DS Smith – Tecnicarton Corrugated Cardboard Trays
  • Fortna – Strategic partnerships with Sitma and Packsize
  • Tak Tuk Ltd – Tak-Tuk Seal

E-commerce Fulfilment Technology of the Year: nShift – nShift Checkout

nShift triumphed with its upgraded Checkout solution in the E-commerce Fulfilment Technology of the Year category, which aims to tackle the issue of cart abandonment. Launched in late 2024, the solution transforms delivery choice into a strategic lever for competitive advantage. It increases conversion rates, reduces abandonment and helps push up order values.

nShift Checkout enables retailers to set smart rules for deliveries, selecting carriers and delivery services based on delivery address, product, basket size and even the time of day. The solution further enables retailers to clearly badge capabilities like express or zero-carbon deliveries, making the choices for shoppers even easier.

This level of configuration, combined with real-time flexibility and powerful A/B testing tools, helps retailers drive results fast – including conversion uplifts of up to 25% and average order value boosts of 28%, according to nShift. Retailers gain all these capabilities without needing to write a single line of code.

Checkout is fully integrated into the wider nShift Delivery Management suite, offering instant access to over 1,000 carrier connections across 190 countries and supporting 29,000 direct customers. Retailers can test fulfillment strategies with minimal risk, categorize options to reduce friction and optimize their delivery promise – all while delivering a consistent brand experience through custom styling and messaging.

Also shortlisted:

  • Air Business – Consero
  • Fortna – Autonomous Flow WES
  • Kazpost – Automated warehouse operations in partnership with Toshiba
  • SICK – PALLOC robot guidance system

Transportation Innovation of the Year: Wiliot – Royal Mail rollout of Intelligence Platform

And finally, Wiliot was the winner of the Transportation Innovation of the Year award for its project with Royal Mail that saw the deployment of over 900,000 Wiliot IoT Pixels – tiny, battery-free sensors about the size of a postage stamp – affixed to rolling cages (Yorks) that move over one billion parcels and letters annually.

These IoT Pixels harvest energy from ambient radio waves and continuously transmit data on location and movement. Data is captured by Bluetooth-enabled readers across 8,000 Royal Mail vehicles and at sorting and distribution centers – enabling low-cost, energy-efficient data collection infrastructure at scale.

Unlike barcode or RFID systems, Wiliot’s ambient IoT platform creates a live, always-on view of assets in motion, with no manual input. Royal Mail now knows where each cage is, how it’s being used and how assets are flowing across the network. This real-time intelligence helps optimize vehicle utilization, reduce fuel use and support carbon reduction goals.

The deployment spans three phases: tracking tagged cages and vehicles (phase one), adding in-facility visibility (phase two), and expanding to parcel-level tracking (phase three). The system is already revealing blind spots, enabling smarter loading, reducing idle assets and delivering greater operational efficiency and service reliability for Royal Mail and its customers, according to Wiliot.

Also nominated:

  • Amazon – investment in rural delivery network
  • driveMybox – expansion into Greek market
  • Teletrac Navman – TN360

2025 judging panel

Discover more about this year’s award winners in the December 2025 issue of Parcel and Postal Technology International – available online and in print soon!

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