Tag: Europe

Belgian Post Net Profit Up to 83 Mln Euro H1 2006

Posted by | Aug 27, 2006 | |

Belgian postal services company De Post/La Poste generated a net profit of 83 mln euro (USD 105.9 mln) in the first half of 2006, up 3.0 pct year-on-year, the company said on August 24, 2006.
The company’s operating profit increased to 100 mln euro (USD 127.6 mln) from 64 mln euro (USD 81.7 mln) a year earlier.
Sales rose by 5.0 pct to 1.122 bln euro (USD 1.432 bln).
De Post said its results indicated that the company’s financial health was improving.
The number of deliveries hardly fell in the reporting period, despite rising competition on the part of electronic media, De Post said. In fact, deliveries volumes rose in all segments except ordinary and registered mail, driven by the growing economy and new delivery contracts. However, the volumes are falling sharply in most countries, so De Post, too, has factored in a potential future decline in its outlook.
De Post (www.post.be) said it also improved the quality of its service and delivered more parcels and letters on time.

Read More

Royal Mail is sorting out its property portfolio

Posted by | Aug 27, 2006 | |

Royal Mail has embarked on a wholesale clear-out of its property portfolio. The move is part of the group’s attempt to become more commercial in the wake of the opening up of the postal market to competition earlier this year.

It is looking to dispose of 130 of its disused post offices, sub post offices and delivery centres that are loss making. It will also transfer ownership of a further 180 properties to a commercial buyer.

The move comes after Royal Mail executives revealed that a commercially viable postal network would comprise just 4,000 post offices, compared with the current 14,500.

Royal Mail said the 310 properties represented only 2.9 per cent of its total operating space and that it intended to lease back any property that it still required.

The funds raised from the disposal will be used to modernise Royal Mail’s facilities and equipment. The company expects to generate cost savings in the region of pounds 5m.

Read More

Alan Firmin joins PalletFORCE

Posted by | Aug 25, 2006 | |

Kent transport company Alan Firmin has joined the PalletFORCE palletised distribution network in order to enhance the range of services it can offer to its customers.

Alan Firmin decided to become a member of the Network after it recognised the need to diversify its business. “We are an established name in full-load distribution, but many existing and potential customers were also enquiring about smaller pallet drops. Joining a distribution network allows us to become a ‘one stop shop’ and able to accommodate these orders,” comments Paul Denyer, Operations Manager at Alan Firmin.

The choice of PalletFORCE was made after Alan Firmin received several recommendations of its reliability from fellow Transport Association members. The company also felt that PalletFORCE’s member-owned status would be beneficial.

Alan Firmin has been recruited as a Shareholder Member Depot for the BR and parts of the TN and ME postcodes. It will share responsibility for the latter areas with existing PalletFORCE members, as part of the Network’s programme of postcode consolidation.

Based in Snodland, Alan Firmin’s diverse business covers transport, warehousing, property and farming. It currently operates a fleet of 32 tractor units and 5 rigid vehicles.

Read More

Stepped-up security in Austrian post offices

Posted by | Aug 24, 2006 | |

Security equipment for all post offices supplied by Siemens

According to a recent study conducted by Österreichische Post AG, the amount of loss or damage caused by post office robberies has more than quadrupled over the last five years. To provide maximum security for both customers and staff, Österreichische Post AG has, after a EU-wide call for tender, commissioned Siemens with supplying new security equipment for all post offices. The contract covers delivery, installation and taking live of a state-of-the-art security system as well as maintenance, troubleshooting and providing a central service control center. An alarm verification system reduces the number of false alarms as incoming alarms are checked by the control center prior to being forwarded to the police. To speed up resource planning and shorten response times, it is also possible to forward the information collected by the surveillance system to the police in advance. Following successful pilot operations in eight post offices, all Austrian post offices will be equipped with the new system by the end of 2007 and linked up with the service control center operated by Siemens Building Technologies. The necessary investment amounts to € 8.5 million.

Brigitte Ederer, CEO and President of the Board of Siemens AG Österreich: “Our technology helps Österreichische Post AG to ensure the security and safety of its staff, customers, and assets in a comprehensive manner. What is more, the uniform security concept for all post offices and the use of the existing IT network for alarm and problem reporting purposes results in significant savings in operating costs.”

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest