Seur ups sales and launches new service
Seur, the Spanish express market leader, increased revenues by 5.6% to €574 million in 2005, thanks to international growth and despite the strike that affected the country’s transport sector last October. It has also launched an environmentally friendly new city-centre delivery vehicle.
The main growth driver was the international business which grew to revenues of €45.5 million, representing 8% of turnover. Its business in Portugal grew 10% to €29.9, the company said in a statement.
For 2006, Seur aims to increase revenues by 8% thanks partly to sales channels such as the internet, tele-sales and retail outlets. After launching several new products such as temperature-controlled express transport (“Seur Frío” and “Clinic Frío”) and document express delivery in recent years, Seur said it plans more new products this year offering added-value service.
The market leader is in the midst of a three-year €48 million programme of investment in new technology and network expansion. Its network now has 8,100 employees, a fleet of 4,059 vehicles and 307 sales outlets across Spain. This year will see the opening of a €13.7 million new distribution centre for north-east Spain in Barcelona.
Meanwhile, the organisation has launched “Seur City”, a new electric-powered small vehicle designed for city-centre delivery rounds. Under a pilot phase in Madrid, four such vehicles went into service this month. The “Seur City”, with a top speed of 6 km/h, can carry up to 300g and operates in a 5km radius. Charged at night, the electric battery powers the vehicle for up to 14 hours.
Carlos Cavero, head of Seur Madrid, said the small vehicle was ideal for congested city centres with crowded roads or narrow streets, and could also operate in pedestrian zones. Seur expects to have about 40 such “City” vehicles operating in Madrid by the end of 2006, replacing 15 traditional delivery vans. Other Seur franchises across Spain are expected to put the vehicle into service over the course of the year.
