CVC to acquire stake in TNT Post?
CVC Capital Partners, the private equity firm, has entered negotiations to acquire a ‘substantial stake’ in TNT Post, it has been reported in a Dutch newspaper. Het Financieele Dagblad cited unnamed sources when reporting CVC could be set to buy a EUR 1.5bn stake in the mail unit.
The newspaper reported that: “The game is in motion and is picking up speed”, according to a source close to discussions.
When approached by Post&Parcel, a TNT spokesman said the company refused to comment on market speculation.
Last year, CVC was linked with a bid for UK operator Royal Mail, before former business secretary Lord Mandelson cancelled the immediate proposal for part-privatisation under the Labour government. The new coalition government has already revealed that it will resurrect the plans to sell-off some of the organisation.
CVC also owns a stake in Belgium’s De Post – La Poste, which rebranded last week as ‘bpost’.
TNT announced earlier this year that it plans to separate its mail and express businesses. The move is expected to entice bidders for the express arm.
