Tag: Europe

Will there be any post offices left when I get old? – Save our post offices campaign

Posted by | Oct 29, 2006 | |

Britain’s 14,300 post offices are fighting for their very survival. The Government is starving the network of vital funding in a move that could leave it with as few as 4,000 branches in the next decade. But many communities are putting up a fight. Toby Walne visited the Isle of Wight to find how the bestserved region in the country is aiming to keep it that way.

They are a belligerent bunch on the Isle of Wight. Faced with a Government that seems determined to smash Britain’s post office network, the islanders have fought back by issuing a ‘unilateral declaration of independence’, calling for their post offices to be removed from Royal Mail control.

And there is good reason to fight. The island has 52 branches serving 120,000 people, which is one for every 2,308 residents and almost double the national average.

But that does not include the 2.6 million ‘grockles’ tourists – who holiday on the island every year and often use the post office network. Yet the Government is poised to destroy this thriving network, allowing the closure of 35 branches, leaving only 17 post offices by 2010.

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First class delivery for La Poste bond despite status doubt

Posted by | Oct 27, 2006 | |

La Poste issued its first capital markets transaction this week after an absence of two years, achieving attractive funding on the Eu1.8bn two tranche bond, despite discussions in Brussels on the company’s future status as a state supported entity.

The deal was massively oversubscribed, the Eu800m seven year tranche receiving orders of Eu1.6bn, and the Eu1.bn 15 year tranche oversubscribed to the tune of Eu2.7bn, reflecting the revival in demand for long dated securities.

Both segments were priced at the tight end of guidance by joint leads Bardays Capital, Deutsche Bank, Ixis, JP Morgan and Natexis Banques Populaires.

Proceeds of this transaction will be used to make an exceptional contribution of Eu2bn to a reformed pension system of the company’s civil servant employees.

La Poste, which is 100% owned by the French state, enjoys the status of an Etablissement Public Administratif. However, the European Commission has recommended that the French state withdraw its guarantee on La Poste’s debt. The company will also be forced to relinquish its monopoly on postal services in France when the industry is liberalised in 2009.

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Posten AB – Increased demand and continued strong performance

Posted by | Oct 27, 2006 | |

Posten’s business is growing and delivering good results. The group’s sales increased by 9 percent and operating earnings increased by SEK 659m to SEK 1,601m for the year’s first nine months compared to the same period in 2005. Our more intensive efforts on the market have shown results.We have also been able to use the potential created by Sweden’s strong economy, the flourishing advertising market, and the increasing domestic and global trade, all of which result in increased demand for our communication and logistic solutions.

Strålfors became a part of the group on May 22nd. The integration process, which aims to encourage and develop the business synergies was initiated in June and is running according to plan. Strålfors’ broad geographic base in Europe means that Posten has a stronger and more diverse range of services for Swedish companies while we have also solidified our position in the information logistics market.

On October 31st, the Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency will submit its report to the government, in which it will more specifically define the requirement for nationwide cashier services and provide an overview of different user groups’ needs for payment services. My hope is that the government will soon declare its position on the suggestions submitted by this agency, thereby reducing the uncertainty for the employees and customers at the Cashier Service.

Our success on the logistics market requires that we offer our own attractive logistics services in the Nordic region, and that we establish competitive cooperation in international networks. As of January 1st 2007, Posten will have a new corporate structure. It will mean a more intensive focus in each market area, with the goal of making us an even more clearly defined and competitive business partner for our customers.

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Parcelforce Worldwide appoints Promodus to direct marketing roster

Posted by | Oct 26, 2006 | |

Parcelforce Worldwide has appointed Promodus to its direct marketing roster to handle a project aimed at increasing the company’s customers.

Promodus, which specialises in advocacy marketing, has created a campaign for the Royal Mail-owned brand to generate referrals from its most-satisfied business customers. The activity breaks this month and continues into the New Year.

Parcelforce head of marketing services Heather Bayliss says: “In a market with increasing competition, advocacy marketing is critical for us because it allows us to secure and exploit our loyal users.”

Promodus was appointed to the roster without a pitch, but the news follows speculation about a review of Parcelforce’s direct marketing roster last year.

The company was thought to be in talks with a number of undisclosed agencies about the account but a full-scale review has not yet begun.

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GLS invests EUR 20 million on new barcode technology

Posted by | Oct 26, 2006 | |

GLS France is introducing 3,000 wireless barcode scanners this autumn to improve parcel delivery tracking as part of a EUR 20 million group investment across Europe.

Using GPRS technology, French clients will be able to track and trace deliveries in a more advanced manner using the so-called Uni-Scan system. Proof of delivery data will be transmitted in real-time into the company’s central system, providing same-day tracking of shipment status.

In addition, GLS France has installed new data reading terminals throughout its hubs and depots. These can handle 1,200 parcels an hour instead of the previous 400 parcels.

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