Year: 2005

Post offices: Pulling the envelope

Posted by | Jan 22, 2005 | |

Technology and competition are putting huge pressure on the world’s postal systems

To get a sense of the future of postal systems around the world, look no further than a bottle of milk. Last year, TNT Mail, the packet-delivery unit of TPG, the Netherlands’ national post office, began using a dairy company to carry packages to people’s doorsteps. At a time when the milkman already seems a vestige of a bygone era–and the postman is struggling to avoid the same fate–this might seem an unlikely alliance. But what makes the arrangement particularly revealing is that it is not happening in the Dutch hinterland, but in Britain, where TPG and the lactose-logistics specialists, Express Dairies, are vying to compete against Royal Mail.

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New Zealand Post sells share for NZD80m

Posted by | Jan 22, 2005 | |

New Zealand Post said yesterday that it had received NZD80 million for the sale of half of its courier business to German firm DHL.

The deal, unveiled on December 20, was for Deutsche Post-owned DHL to buy 50 per cent of NZ Post subsidiary Express Couriers.

The deal came under attack before Christmas from opposition MPs and courier operators because the terms were kept secret and rival operators did not get a look in.

Spokesman Ian Long said the Government-owned NZ Post had received NZD80 million from DHL.

However, the final price would be a multiple of Express Couriers’ earnings for the year to June 30, 2005. This means DHL could pay extra after June 30 or NZ Post would refund part of the sale price, Long said.

NZ Post expects the final deal to be worth NZD80 million to NZD90 million, valuing Express Couriers at NZD160 million to NZD180 million.

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French Deputies support postal reform

Posted by | Jan 22, 2005 | |

French deputies took a vote on Friday regarding a draft bill which would allow France’s postal services market, currently dominated by La Poste, to be opened to rival service providers by 2009. The bill would also allow the creation of a post office bank. The text was supported by the UMP-UDF coalition. It has yet to be voted by the Senate. If passed, the bill would end the monopoly of postal service operator La Poste on letters weighing more than 50g with effect from 2006.

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Rivals admit Royal Mail will be dominant UK postal player

Posted by | Jan 22, 2005 | |

Competitors to Royal Mail have said that the postal giant is set to be the dominant player in UK postal services for years to come. The admission came at a debate featuring the chief executives of Business Post Group, TNT Mail UK and DHL Global Mail at last month’s Mail Show Conference, and just under two months ahead of full deregulation of the UK postal services market. Sarah Chambers, chairman of postal regulator Postcomm, said that despite limited deregulation so far, Royal Mail still retained 97.2 per cent of the market. TNT Mail UK chief executive Nick Wells said he thought Royal Mail would be “the dominant player and that’s a good thing. But if we can take a 10-15 per cent share, we’d be happy with that.” However, Adam Crozier, chief executive of Royal Mail, said that Royal Mail is faced with falling mail volumes.

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DHL plans 20 mln-euro investment in Russia business in 2005

Posted by | Jan 21, 2005 | |

Express mail carrier DHL plans to invest 20 million euros in business development in Russia this year, its Moscow offices announced on Monday. The bulk of the money will be put into the building of new customs terminals in Russia’s regions. “Having analyzed the potential of Russia’s market for express deliveries and logistics, DHL has decided to expand its business by developing its capacities,” the statement says.

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Nightspeed Deliveries Get One Million Pound Boost

Posted by | Jan 21, 2005 | |

Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express will be ensuring that more parcels will be delivered on time, securely and safely, with an investment of nearly one million pounds in a brand new fleet of sixteen specialised double-deck trailers – one of the biggest double deck fleet upgrades seen this year.

Tipton, West Midlands based Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express has purchased the 16 purpose-built double deck trailers to improve the reliability and efficiency of the crucial overnight trunking operation.

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New Zealand Post values courier unit at USD160m to USD180M

Posted by | Jan 21, 2005 | |

New Zealand Post today said it valued its express and logistics business, Express Couriers Ltd (ECL), at USD160 million to USD180 million.

The valuation comes as NZ Post and global freight firm DHL look to form a 50/50 joint venture, which they say will give better service to markets in Southeast Asia, China, Japan and India.

The valuation was based on preliminary analysis of the first six-months of ECL’s financial year, NZ Post said in a statement.

The final price within the valuation range for DHL’s investment in the joint venture would not be set until the end of the financial year.

However, NZ Post said it was “confident the agreed pricing structure represents full and fair value”.

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Poste Italiane to register positive 2004 results

Posted by | Jan 21, 2005 | |

Chairman of Italian state-owned postal services company Poste Italiane Enzo Cardi said on January 21, 2005 that the company would post positive results for 2004, in compliance with the forecasts.

Cardi added that the 2004 financial results will be examined by the board of directors soon and they will be quite flattering for the company. He declined to comment on the future privatisation of the company.

The announcement was made during the presentation of a stamp for the 100th aniversary of the Italian vehicle assistance company Automobile Club d’Italia.

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