The year that was: May – August 2010
Welcome! To read the first installment of ‘the year that was’, click here.
It was announced in May that Canada Post’s Moya Greene will become the first women to run Royal Mail after her appointment as chief executive. Greene had been CEO and president at the North American operator since 2005, and said of her appointment: “I am honoured to be joining such a great company and to be working with its customers and its people at such a momentous time in its history.” Chairman Donald Brydon said: “I am delighted that Moya is joining Royal Mail. She will bring energy, clear thinking and a proven leadership track record – as well as hugely relevant experience – to the business at an important moment in its evolution. I look forward to working closely with Moya as we tackle the challenges ahead and continue to focus on satisfying our customers and maintaining the six-days-a-week Universal Service.” Greene has a solid reputation throughout the postal sector, after trebling Canada Post’s net profit over the past five years. In April, the Corporation recorded consolidated net income of C$281m on revenue of C$7.3bn, and reported an operating margin of 4.9%.
At the beginning of the summer, TNT confirmed that it will split its Mail and Express units into two separate companies. TNT cited that the strategic challenges for the two businesses are increasingly different and that Mail and Express can be successful as standalone companies. CEO Peter Bakker said: “As announced earlier this year, we have explored the best structure to secure the continued success of our Express and Mail divisions. Based on this review, we have concluded that a full separation will best serve both units.” By separating the business, TNT hopes to create two “independent companies with best-in-class management, focused organisations and solid capital structures. This will allow both entities to achieve their strategic objectives to the benefit of their respective shareholders and all other stakeholders.” The announcement came on the same day that TNT revealed a slump in profit for Q2.
In June, De Post-La Poste rebranded as ‘bpost’. The name change reflected the modernisation of the business over the past ten years, and was implemented in September – months before the full liberalisation of the postal market in Europe. The company’s corporate visual identity, including logo, was also 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.
And finally…
DHL announced an investment of $9m to strengthen its freight forwarding and supply chain operations in Pakistan… In May, new UK prime minister David Cameron announced that the incoming coalition government would look to partially sell-off Royal Mail… In Hungary, Magyar Posta appointed István Kalmár as chairman and Pál Schmidt as CEO…. In July, Jersey Post said up to 90 jobs will be axed, as a part of an overall cost-cutting plan to save the business… August saw FedEx announce the expansion of its largest operation station in China, located in Shanghai.
Part three to follow on Monday…
