CTT Group launches unified Iberian express offering

Portugal’s CTT Group has further integrated its express businesses in Portugal and Spain with the launch of a unified service offering. The newly-privatised postal operator said it was continuing its ambitions to lead the express delivery market in the whole Iberian Peninsula through its wholly-owned express businesses CTT Expresso and Tourline Express.

The company will now offer clients in both countries the same services and prices, regardless of whether shipments are going to Spain or Portugal.

With CTT Expresso operating in Portugal and Tourline Express operating in Spain, the service will offer four delivery windows across Iberia, including 10am next day, 1pm, 7pm and a two-day delivery option.

A customer will be able to use the 10am next day service, and will be guaranteed to have their delivery delivered by 10am the next day whether shipments are going to the Spanish city of Barcelona or the Portuguese city of Porto.

CTT Group said it has improved its information provision for customers, so that shipments can be tracked in Portugal and Spain through the same website, with proof of delivery and signature confirmation.

Francisco de Lacerda, the CTT Group presidents, said: “Today we are stronger and prepared to become a major logistics group in Southern Europe, and an essential partner for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border.”

CTT Expresso has a market share of about 28% in Portugal, its next largest rival holding a share of little more than 6%.

CTT Group acquired Tourline Express in June 2005, and since then has reorganised the company. Manuel Castelo-Branco was appointed president of both Tourline Express and CTT Expresso as the company announced last year that it was aligning the two firms in a pan-Iberian service.

Tourline Express has 335 offices, more than 2,600 employees and more than 1,320 vehicles.