DHL signs agreement with trade unions concerning restructuring plans in France

DHL, the transport and logistics subsidiary of Deutsche Post, the German postal service, has signed an agreement with its trade unions in France concerning a plan for the restructuring of its business in France. The redundancy schemes that form part of this plan are expected to affect 10 per cent of the company’s 12,000 staff. The plans will affect the company’s freight, logistics, express and transport commission services. In total, these divisions achieve a turnover of over 1.6bn euros in France.

The plan is to be implemented in several stages, and will be completed by 2006. The aim of the plan is to improve DHL’s operating margin and the quality of its service. By the end of 2006, DHL intends to increase its operating margin in Europe from 5 to 6 percent. The plan will affect 10 per cent of the company’s 90,000 staff in Europe.