TNT Express Targets Emerging Markets
TNT Express aims to grow into the market leader in emerging markets such as China, India and South America, and maintain its strong position in Europe, according to managing director Marie-Christine Lombard.
The express company will continue to invest in the integration and upgrading of recently-acquired companies in China and India, and consider acquisitions in South America to strengthen its business there, she said in a presentation at the company’s Analyst Day in London last week. In South America, Brazilian subsidiary Mercurio would be used as a launching platform for an integrated strategy, with a regional road network and strong intercontinental Europe-South America traffic flows.
TNT Express will also launch a new Liege-Singapore-Shanghai eastbound routing for its B747 China-Europe freighter service in the second quarter of next year, she disclosed. This would improve the eastbound capacity utilisation, which currently lies at just 39pct , and create new opportunities from South-East Asia and China. The westbound Shanghai-Liege route has a 92pct capacity utilisation. On the financial targets for TNT Express, Lombard said that the company is aiming for organic average annual revenue growth of 8pct -10pct and a return on sales of 12pct-13pct for its international and domestic business by 2012.
The emerging platforms (emerging markets) should generate average annual growth of 15pct – 20pct and a mid-single-digit profit margin by 2012. On the group’s European parcels strategy, TNT Post managing director Harry Koestra told analysts that a focused “country by country” approach would be required since market entry was not easy. TNT Post currently has parcels revenues of some EUR 400 million and a 9pct profit margin.
