Chronopost unveils new three-year plan and opens EUR 53m hub
Chronopost has announced a three-year plan named “Essentiel 2010” at the occasion of the opening of its new EUR 53 million, 13,000 sqm national hub at Chilly-Mazarin, south of Paris.
The new 2008-2010 plan, presented by Christian Emery, president of Chronopost, is designed to give the company a new strategic orientation while reinforcing its position within the industry as well as internationally. As part of the plan the company is aiming for annual growth of at least 6pct, while the market is expected to grow at a lower rate. The company’s profitability is expected to be in line with the market.
Chronopost aims to become France’s leading provider of morning express delivery services. The company is planning to refocus its activities on the domestic market, concentrating on morning deliveries and its online service. Since February 2008 the company has provided next-day delivery before 13:00 within France, including packaging and transportation. This product will be extended to international destinations by end 2008.
In order to expand its market share, Chronopost will strengthen its activities in certain industrial sectors, such as new technology and health, while it also intends to expand abroad, where it already achieves 25pct of its turnover. The company is going to sign the ADEME charter for CO2 emissions and continue the environmental ISO 14001 certification program. All Chronopost drivers will be trained for eco-friendly driving by 2009. The company also said it will focus on staff training and take on 500 additional workers by 2010.
The new hub at Chilly-Mazarin will handle 60pct of the 140,000 parcels that Chronopost receives each day. With a capacity of 30,000 parcels per hour and 200 staff, it is one of the most competitive sorting centers in Europe, according to the operators. The hub has 83 loading platforms and 34 unloading platforms and counts 450 truck movements per day. An ISO 14001 and 9001 certification is previewed for July 2008.
Chronopost has invested a total of EUR 120 million in the reorganisation of its network, which covers six hubs and 76 depots, over the last three years.
