The week that was: 17 February 2012
Summing up the biggest stories of the week from the pages of Post&Parcel, with UPS making the moves on TNT Express, USPS looking for a rescue plan, and La Poste going green…
UPS builds presence in Europe, eyes TNT Express acquisition
After months of speculation, TNT Express revealed that UPS did make an acquisition offer, which did not find favour with the TNT board, but both sides confirmed that discussions are ongoing.
The rejected offer from UPS was based on an indicative price of EUR 9 per share, valuing TNT Express at about EUR 5bn.
The news about the UPS offer for TNT Express came just a few days after UPS announced a separate move to build its presence in Europe, buying the Brussels-based consumer parcel delivery network Kiala.
USPS reshapes plans to restore financial sustainability
Following last week’s painful first-quarter results statement, USPS met with major customers this week to talk about additional measures and a revised business plan to pull itself out of the red.
Just ahead of the meeting, President Obama revealed his $25bn rescue package within the proposed 2013 federal budget, though the proposals still require passage through the key sticking point in the reform process: Congress.
Close to completing its reviews of hundreds of mail plant closures, USPS said its new-look processing network would be based on a system of area hubs, many of which could be subcontracted.
La Poste and its subsidiaries to go “carbon neutral”
France’s La Poste Group said this week it will offer free carbon offsetting for all its services, and those of subsidiaries like the DPD parcel network around Europe.
La Poste’s own mail and parcel services will go “carbon neutral” from March, with divisions including DPD set to offer free offsetting from July.
DPD said its carbon offsetting programme will apply to all shipments, both business and consumer, sent to any destination around the world from the group’s five major markets of the Benelux region, Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
And finally…
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