Deutsche Post AG’s monopoly on stamps is to be scrapped two years early on Jan 1, 2006 under a draft law to be presented by two German states at the Upper House parliament Bundesrat, Die Welt said.
The date was originally the end of 2007.
The newspaper said a majority of the states are expected to approve the legislation being proposed by Lower Saxony and Hessen states.
Read MoreGerman Deutsche Post AG categorically rules out the possible sale of its stake in its banking arm Deutsche Postbank AG, Deutsche Post CEO Klaus Zumwinkel said on February 4, 2005.
Postbank’s strength lies in the fact that it focuses on the German market and Deutsche Post had absolutely no plans to expand the bank abroad, Zumwinkel said.
Deutsche Post is open to acquisitions in Asia, Zumwinkel said but stressed that those were not expected to follow soon.
Zumwinkel declined to comment on whether Deutsche Post was interested in buying the British logistics firm Exel Plc, and dismissed the issue as pure speculation and rumours.
Deutsche Post generated a 3.3 bln euro (USD4.283 bln) operating profit on a turnover of substantially over 40 bln euro (USD51.916 bln) in 2004.
Read MoreRoyal Mail today announced that it has started 2005 with a further contract renewal for its Branch Direct service within the financial sector. The Derbyshire Building Society has renewed its contract for the overnight delivery of internal mail and documents between branches and offices UK wide. This follows the renewal of contracts with Barclays Bank PLC and Norwich Union later in 2004 and underlines Royal Mail’s role as a strategic partner for the financial sector, developing tailored solutions to meet their needs.
Pauline Vickers, Sector Director, Financial Services, Royal Mail, said: “The provision of internal mail services is a very competitive market and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate our strength in this area with these contract renewals.
Read MoreLa Poste has drawn up plans for the structure of the postal bank that it is planning to create. The company says that Efiposte, the subsidiary responsible for the management of funds for post office giro accounts, will form the basis of the new institution. La Poste will continue to own 100 per cent of shares in this company. SF2, the holding company that controls the group’s other subsidiaries and investments in the field of financial services, will be maintained and will be a 100 per cent subsidiary of the postal bank.
Read MoreThe German Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament, has voted to end the monopoly of German national postal services provider Deutsche Post earlier than planned. A majority of finance ministers from each of Germany’s federal states voted in the Bundesrat to end the monopoly on 1 January 2006, two years earlier than proposed by the German government in the Bundestag. The new law would see private companies also being allowed to deliver standard letters, under 100 grams in weight.
Read MoreSJSC Latvia Post in the environment of competition has agreed with Suomen Posti Oyj on purchase of 48.75% of Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts ltd. shares with aim to strengthen positions in market. Signing this agreement Latvia Post will become owner of 100% of Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts shares.
Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts ltd. which offers print of variable information, packaging services and packing into polietilen is largest provider in such type of services. Largest clients of enterprise are Lattelekom, Latvijas Gâze, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons, Hansabanka.
“Latvia Post along with modernization and new long term strategy implementation is searching for opportunities to introduce new products and strengthen competitiveness. Latvia Post it envisages as successful investment in development of flourishing industry and in strengthening enterprise positions. As Latvia Post main field of business is closely connected with Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts services, it is supposed to more integrate this enterprise in elaboration of new products. So we will conduct not only delivery of item but also preparation. Our activities will gain new scale, but clients – modern and suitable services” consider SJSC director general Gints Ðkodovs. So far Latvia Post has owned 51.25% shares of subsidiary Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts ltd., and Finnish enterprise Suomen Posti Oyl has owned rest of the shares. Amount of transaction will not be disclosed as agreed.
According to Latvia Post development plan for 2004.-2008 enterprise supposed to invest LVL 44 million in modernization, improving technical basis and developing assortment of new services.
Total turnover for Latvijas Elektroniskais Pasts in 2003 grew to LVL 972.2 thousand, and profit LVL 63.3 thousand (before taxes). Last year unaudited turnover was LVL 987.8 thousand and profit LVL 134.1 thousand (before taxes).
Read More2005 looks like being a year of transformation in ADR, as Palletline members rush to join new specialist hub network. Rates are more likely to rise than fall.
Palletline this week announced a “strategic alliance” with The Hazchem Network and will stop handling dangerous goods on February 18. The alliance has seen around 14 Palletline members join The Hazchem Network, which is a dedicated ADR network. Members already signed up include Geoffrey Reyner, John Hackling Transport and Van Hee Transport; joining this month include: JH Davies, CS Ellis, Anglia Freight, Edge Distribution, Stiller Group and Taskforce. Palletline members who do not join the Hazchem Network will input their freight through their local Hazchem depots, many of which are from Palletline.
Read MoreDeutsche Post has overcome the final obstacle to transferring its European logistics centre from Brussels to Leipzig. DHL, the express and logistics subsidiary of the group, has concluded negotiations with Belgian trade unions regarding its current hub at Brussels airport, where the company has agreed to guarantee the preservation of jobs until April 2008. In exchange, staff have promised that there will be no disruptions to operations. DHL is planning to invest 300m euros in Leipzig, where the airport will be able to remain in operation 24 hours a day, unlike in Brussels. The company is to create around 3,500 jobs by 2012, and it is thought that a further 7,000 jobs could be created in the area.
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