DHL wins UK market share on time-definite

DHL time-definite delivery service has elped it to gain market share in the UK this year. But the express market has suffered in a slowing economy and September’s terrorist attacks made matters worse, said UK MD David Coles.
“Things were slowing down before 11 September, and have accelerated since,” said Coles. “Operational consequences have involved increased security at East Midlands airport — we are back to our previous service levels, but the economic
effects are harder to grapple with.” He claimed to be “way ahead of the competition” on time-definite service delivery. “Our £35m (€56m) investment at East Midlands had some teething problems, but it is now up to speed and has been one of the main planks in delivering improvements in service level.”
Jon Wilkinson, who joined DHL from Parcelforce earlier this year as commercial director, said gains in market share in the third quarter were a testament to the
integrator’s service. “Time-definite delivery is a good illustration of the people and the brand,” he said, claiming that DHL was on time three times as often as its nearest competitor and was the first to arrive twice as often.
DHL’s world mail service is to become part of Deutsche Post Global Mail and Coles confirmed that Deutsche Post will up its stake in DHL from 49% to 72%, acquiring shares held by Japan Airlines, private individuals and a trust managed by a consortium of banks.