The week that was: 18 June 2010
Big week for Belgian Post, FedEx reveals financial results, and Copenhagen conference takes centre stage… Welcome to ‘the week that was’, courtesy of Post&Parcel, returning from Copenhagen bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Let’s crack on!
Big news from Belgium on two fronts this week after De Post-La Poste rebranded as ‘bpost’. The name change reflects the modernisation of the business over the past ten years, and will be implemented in September – months before the full liberalisation of the postal market in Europe. The company’s corporate visual identity, including logo, will also be modernised. Johnny Thijs, CEO, said: “The new name conveys our two basic characteristics. We are and will remain a postal company, and we have and will maintain strong roots in our home market. We now also have one single name, which will differentiate us internationally.” Thijs went on to stress that the change of name and logo does not signify a break with the rich history of the company.
It has proved to be a busy week for Thijs, after he collected the Industry Leadership Award at the World Mail Awards 2010 in Copenhagen on Tuesday.
In the US this week, FedEx Corp reported Q4 revenue of $9.43bn – up 20% from the previous year. The company said operating income was $696m, up from an operating loss of $849m last year. Results showed an operating margin of 7.4%, up from (10.8%) the previous year, whilst a net income of $419m, up from last year’s net loss of $876m, was recorded. “FedEx delivered strong results in our fourth quarter, thanks to sequential growth in package volume and our ability to leverage our unique global networks to take advantage of a recovering economy,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We ended our fiscal year a stronger company, and I am confident FedEx is very well positioned for future revenue and earnings growth.”
It was a busy week in Copenhagen, with industry leaders addressing key issues to a packed conference at the World Mail & Express Europe event. India Post’s Alka Jha provided a vision of growth from her homeland, whilst formally announcing India Post as the host of PosTech 2010 – to be held in December. For comprehensive coverage from the event, click on the ‘News’ tab at the top of the page.
