Yurtiçi Kargo – GeoPost partnership becomes a regional force

Yurtiçi Kargo, through its partnership established in 2003 with GeoPost, Europe’s continues investments in Russia, CIS and Balkan countries.

The GeoPost – Yurtiçi Kargo partnership was established in 2003, and it enabled customers to send parcels to 230 destinations around the world. In the following year, the partnership has started organic growth across the neighboring region as it acquired companies in some countries, while establishing local partnerships through acquisition of major shares in others. The largest of the latter is Armadillo, a local and international parcel and logistics company in Russia. Further, GeoPost and Yurtiçi Kargo continued their growth within the CIS, starting with UVK the largest company in Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, GeoPost and Yurtiçi Kargo have established a growing business without any local partner.

In March 2008, Yurtiçi Kargo and GeoPost have entered the Romanian market by acquiring the majority of shareholding of Pegasus, one of the most successful Courier and Express Parcel companies in this country through their partnership. Also, the partnership has started providing services in Bulgaria.

The GeoPost – Yurtiçi Kargo partnership has increased its incomes by 35 pct in the first half of 2008, as of end of June 2008; delivering around 25 000 parcels daily in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan. Yurtiçi Kargo, through its partnership established in 2003 with GeoPost, Europe’s continues investments in Russia, CIS and Balkan countries.

Mr. Paul Marie Chavanne, Executive Vice-President and Director of Parcels Group La Poste and Chairman of GeoPost, and Arýkanlý Group Chairman Mr. Ýbrahim Arýkan, jointly met the press to give information on the partnership‘s performance, business goals, growth strategies and general overview of the industry.

The GeoPost – Yurtiçi Kargo partnership was established in 2003, and it enabled customers to send parcels to 230 destinations around the world. In the following year, the partnership has started organic growth across the neighboring region as it acquired companies in some countries, while establishing local partnerships through acquisition of major shares in others. The largest of the latter is Armadillo, a local and international parcel and logistics company in Russia. Further, GeoPost and Yurtiçi Kargo continued their growth within the CIS, starting with UVK the largest company in Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, GeoPost and Yurtiçi Kargo have established a growing business without any local partner.

In March 2008, Yurtiçi Kargo and GeoPost have entered the Romanian market by acquiring the majority of shareholding of Pegasus, one of the most successful Courier and Express Parcel companies in this country through their partnership. Also, the partnership has started providing services in Bulgaria.

“GeoPost and Yurtiçi Kargo have become a considerable regional power in Russia, the Balkans and the CIS” said Arýkanlý Group Chairman Ýbrahim Arýkan, “The trade and economical interaction between Turkey and the countries within the region grows by the day, as more and more Turkish companies do business with their counterparts in these countries. We will continue to provide the high level of service they have become accustomed to, and we will continue our growth as a regional power through our partnership for which we have great enthusiasm.”

Executive Vice-President and Director of parcels Group La Poste and Chairman of GeoPost Paul Marie Chavanne stated out that they have reached a rare level high synergy with Yurtiçi Kargo. Chavanne further said; “We are happy about our partnership with Yurtiçi Kargo, one of the most reputable companies and a major player of Turkey’s fast growing economy. We have obtained very satisfying results and a remarkable level of growth in 2007, as well as the first half of 2008.”

The GeoPost – Yurtiçi Kargo partnership has increased its incomes by 35 % in the first half of 2008, as of end of June 2008; delivering around 25 000 parcels daily in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan.

Larger-than-economy growth has brought private sector tax leadership
The impressive 26 % growth in 2007 has also awarded Yurtiçi Kargo with the private sector’s top taxpayer in the industry. According to the figures announced by the Ministry of the Treasury, Yurtiçi Kargo has payed in 2007 a corporate tax worth of YTL 14,7. This accomplishment placed Yurtiçi Kargo as the top taxpayer in the private sector in Cargo industry, as the company’s tax payment was second to only state-owned Turkish Airlines.

“Being a tax champion makes us very proud” said Ýbrahim Arýkan, “Our growth rate last year was above the growth rate of the Turkish economy; and we are very well aware that it has been our customer-focused, quality services that has been the real engine for this growth. We will even further enhance our services with our innovative character in 2008, and reach our goals of growth, which are almost matching the previous year.”

Ýbrahim Arýkan announced Yurtiçi Kargo’s growth target for 2008 as 23 %; “It is true that the global economy is going through turbulent times. But, we should not give in to pessimism, and instead we should seek opportunities that undoubtedly exist within the situation; as well as increasing our competitive edge in order to be able to catch them as they present themselves.”

Innovative products and SME – specific services will be key to the growth

The innovative products and services, as well as sector-specific solutions especially for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) will be the driving force for Yurtiçi Kargo’s growth projection.

Arýkan mentioned that 50 % of all Yurtiçi Kargo corporate customers were SMEs: “We see all our corporate customers as our ‘business partners’. We share with them, our technological infrastructure and out data; work with them to develop tailor-made, sector-specific solutions.”

Arýkan also said that they were aiming to facilitate their consumers lives with innovative products and services; ”We put our technology and know-how into work in creating the firsts in our industry. A very special relationship exists, among our company and our customers. We aim to make this relationship closer and deeper, as we grow and provide further value to our custormers.”