Adjacent postal markets in Germany (report in German)
1,500 companies with a market volume of €16.5bn
The Federal Network Agency in 2007 commissioned a research project on the markets for upstream and downstream postal services. It has published the findings today. MICUS Management Consulting GmbH analysed the markets for direct mail, transaction printing, address management, mailroom outsourcing, response processing and document storage, collecting data on market volumes, provider structure, pricing and the intensity of competition. The study also looked at the linkage between the areas analysed.
The study found there to be around 500 medium-sized and large companies (more than 10 members of staff) and 800 to 1,000 small companies operating in adjacent postal markets, generating a volume of around €16.5bn. Almost three quarters of this volume is accounted for by direct mail services. Currently, a trend towards outsourcing mailrooms can be observed amongst the customers, while providers are seen to be expanding the value chain to increase their margins and strengthen customer loyalty.
To date, there has been little analysis of the markets for upstream and downstream postal services. The MICUS study is one of the first to explore these areas. It was occasioned by the Agency’s desire to gather information on the potential for leveraging market power into adjacent areas, so that it could recognise and assess the potential for abuse.
