The second episode of seasons 3 was recorded live at our annual Excellence in Ecommerce conference. Gordon and Ger Gordon welcomed Bobby Healy, Founder and CEO of manna Air Delivery. Manna Air delivery is Ireland’s only drone delivery service, currently operating in around the Dublin 15 area but looking to expand across Dublin city centre and to other cities in Ireland in the foreseeable future. In this episode, Bobby explains why drone delivery can optimise how Irish retailers compete against the multinational giants such as Amazon.
What is Last Mile Commerce?
Healy explains that drone delivery is not merely about transporting packages; it fundamentally reshapes last-mile commerce, which concentrates on the final stage of the supply chain. The aim is to deliver packages to customers quickly, affordably, and accurately. While currently dominated by cars, vans, and bikes in Ireland, Healy envisions a future where drone delivery is commonplace nationwide.
How Does the Delivery Process Work?
The podcast clearly outlines the user-friendly delivery process. Customers order via an app (either Manna's or a partner's like JustEat or DoorDash). Similar to other delivery services, customers input their Eircode and view a digital basket. The key difference is a system check for weight (up to 4kg), volume, and range before drone delivery is offered. Real-time notifications and aircraft telemetry (drone movement on a map) keep customers informed until their order arrives in their garden.
What Are the Benefits for Retailers?
Drone delivery offers significant advantages for retailers. For perishable goods, Manna can store items at local hubs for rapid dispatch. Even for nearby non-perishables, such as those from Gym+Coffee, Manna currently uses collectors for efficient pickup.
Healy emphasizes the potential to challenge Amazon's dominance by enabling near-zero marginal cost delivery, promoting micro-distribution, and strengthening local retail presence.
Future of Manna Air Delivery
Healy envisions Manna as a global business with a hyperlocal focus. The long-term goal is for drones to operate from individual retailer rooftops, aiming for comprehensive coverage of Dublin (420,000 Eircodes with 10-15 minute delivery).
Healy adds that due to significant barriers to entry like regulation and training, coupled with their six-year head start, Manna is optimistic about expanding to other Irish cities, providing a scalable and efficient delivery solution for local retailers.
Disrupting Last-Mile Retail
Healy sees drone delivery as a major disruptor in last-mile retail, highlighting its improved safety, reduced fraud, increased privacy, and potential for lower costs compared to traditional methods. While initial costs may be comparable, the scalability of drone delivery promises substantial future reductions. Widespread adoption hinges on aligning drone capabilities with suitable goods and securing sufficient retailer volume. Manna is actively building partnerships, such as their collaboration with Easons, demonstrating Easons' commitment to providing a crucial competitive advantage, empowering local businesses to thrive against global giants like Amazon.
Want to find out more?
You can listen to the full episode of Functional and Fabulous on all your favourite podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify or catch the visual version on YouTube. You can also check out our podcast page here on StudioForty9 website or the Functional and Fabulous website.
