PostNord sells Dutch and Belgian overnight delivery units

Scandinavian mail and logistics company PostNord has sold off Dutch and Belgium overnight freight delivery subsidiaries as it continues its repositioning to focus on the Nordic region. The Swedish company confirmed today sale of HIT Starintex B.V in Holland and HIT Belgium SA to the German company Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

The companies currently handle imports and exports of goods in Germany and the Benelux region, along with pallet goods to and from the Nordic region.

Under new ownership, the businesses are set to be rebranded in line with Hellmann Worldwide’s involvement in the nighttime delivery network Night Star Express Group, with PostNord retaining the HIT brand.

Henrik Höjsgaard, head of business area logistics for PostNord, said of the deal: “This is completely in line with the strategy of PostNord to be the preferred partner for communication and logistics services to, from and within the Nordic region.”

Karl Engelhard, executive director at Osnabrueck-based Hellmann Worldwide, said he was confident the strong presence in central Europe that the acquisition would provide would benefit his customers. “We are pleased to welcome both staff and customers to the Hellmann Group,” he said.

HIT Starintex and HIT Belgium chief executive Patrick Loewenthal said the acquisition of his operations would secure a “bright and solid future” for the companies and their overnight distribution activities in Europe.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to reach this agreement,” he said. “I am looking forward to working together with the new colleagues within Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and the Night Star Express Group to develop strong products for our current and potential customers.”

PostNord, formed in 2009 from a merger between Sweden’s Posten AB and Denmark’s Post Danmark, is currently in the process of repositioning itself to cope with rising costs and falling letter volumes.

Its consolidation to focus on the Nordic region seeks to build on a key growth area, logistics and parcel shipping.

The company recorded a 21% drop in profits as revenues reduced 4%, as it posted third quarter results at the beginning of November.

Last summer it handed over part-control of its business packaging and labels unit, Strålfors Identification Solutions, but also acquired a transportation business, NH Logistics, to build its presence in the Nordic market.