Deutsche Post to slow mailbox reductions in Germany

Deutsche Post AG, Europe’s largest postal service, plans to slow plans to reduce the number of mailboxes in Germany to appease customer criticism, spokesman Manfred Hanischfeger said.

Deutsche Post plans to keep at least 100,000 mailboxes in Germany until 2007, the newspaper reported, without stating the previous reduction target. Deutsche Post had 140,000 mailboxes last year.

Chief Executive Klaus Zumwinkel aims to increase operating profit to 3.6 billion euros by 2005 under the Star program, which focuses on reducing duplication of services within the company and scaling back on unprofitable businesses. Measures include cutting the number of mailboxes and post offices in Germany and combining supply purchasing and sales operations.