A week in the life of Sarah Chambers – Postcomm
Interview with Sarah Chambers
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Ninth Market Study on Licensed Postal Services
In the context of the debate surrounding the consequences of a partial opening of the letter market, and the necessity to gather basic data for further decision-making, for instance in connection with market dominance, Section 312 of the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Posts and Railways regularly conducts market studies on both companies licensed in accordance with the Postal Act and those holding so-called old-type licences.
Read MoreBBC cancels contract for UK post offices to sell TV licences
UK post office were dealt another blow yesterday when the BBC announced an end to their contract to issue television licences after 60 years. The corporation said it would save pounds 100 million over six years by giving the contract to Paypoint, which operates over-the-counter payments through shops such as Co-op, Londis, Spar, Costcutter, Texaco and Somerfield. But sub postmasters, who are in many cases already struggling to avoid closure, fear that the move will further damage their businesses. An estimated 2.1 per cent of post office income derives from the sale of television licences. Five million people pay for their licence at the post office every year. There are almost 15,000 Paypoint outlets, which is slightly more than the number of post offices. Paypoint said it would have 17,000 by 2007 and that its operations were open for an average of 100 hours a week.
Read MoreUK Royal Mail asks government for staff to be given stake in the firm
Royal Mail has formally asked the Department of Trade and Industry to allow staff to be given a stake in the company as part of its proposals seeking the government’s financial backing for a pounds 2bn modernisation programme. Royal Mail’s chairman, Allan Leighton, has been pressing for some time for workers to be given up to 20% of the company to improve efficiency and competitiveness following full liberalisation of the postal market at the beginning of the year.
Yesterday a Royal Mail spokesman said: “The proposals include giving an equal stake in Royal Mail to all of its people to reinforce their commitment to tackling the challenges posed by competition and to reward them for future success.”
CMM acquisition
Corporate Mailing Matters has acquired direct mail company PIMS National, which will now trade as CMM National.
Read MoreUnion Postale 2006 no 2
Union Postale 2006 no 2
Read MoreBusiness Post sees FY pretax pre-ex of 10.5 mln stg
Business Post Group PLC said it expects to post a pretax profit before exceptional items of 10.5 mln stg in the year to end March. However it said one-off costs incurred in converting some underperforming franchises to Business Post ownership will result in a higher charge than previously expected. The conversions will result in a charge of about 2.7 mln stg, up from the 1.5 mln stg announced on Jan 27. Total exceptional costs in the current financial year, including the additional 1.2 mln stg of exceptional costs, will be about 6.9 mln stg, it said. The reclassification of an exceptional item changed the company’s earlier estimate of pretax profit before exceptionals of about 9 mln stg that was given on Jan 27.
Read MoreTNT plans eastern German mini-hub in Erfurt
TNT Express has started construction work on a new facility at Erfurt airport that will act as a “mini-hub” for eastern Germany by combining road and air-based operations for the region. The terminal is due to go into service in January 2007. The foundation stone for the new building was laid this week at a ceremony attended by TNT managers, the transport minister for Thuringia, Andreas Trautvetter, and airport officials. Combining the local branch office, a TNT Express road hub and an air hub, the facility covers more than 3,000 sqm. Erfurt airport has invested some €6 million in the new building, which has direct runway access.
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