Deutsche Post AG (G.DPW) could make further acquisitions this year

Deutsche Post AG (G.DPW) could make further acquisitions this year even as it focuses on the integration of its various existing units, including express delivery firm DHL International Ltd.,Deutsche Post Chairman Klaus Zumwinkel told Dow Jones Newswires.

The partially privatized postal group will likely complete the integration
>>work in 2002, Zumwinkel said in an interview late Wednesday. He also said
>the company would likely emerge unscathed from a fight with U.S. competitors
>over DHL Airways Inc., enjoy a guaranteed domestic letter monopoly for years to
>>come and post strong results for 2000.
>>
>>”For a big company like Deutsche Post, there will always be an acquisition
>>here and an acquisition there,” Zumwinkel said.
>>
>>But Zumwinkel emphasized that any more Deutsche Post takeovers wouldn’t
>>change the group’s focus on mail, express, logistics and financial
>services.
>>
>>”The strategic investment – opening a division – is done,” he said. “But
if there is a good opportunity to strengthen our network, our know-how, our
>>capability, our platform, then we will look at it.”
>>
>>In addition, Zumwinkel underscored that Deutsche Post’s priority is to
>>exploit opportunities offered by its recently acquired businesses,
>>particularly in the express and logistics divisions.
>>
>>”The main focus this year is to exploit the platforms we have now,” he
>said,citing the prospects for lower costs and higher sales through
>cross-selling.