Tag: France

The Department of Posts (India) stamps out French connect in parcel entity

Posted by | Mar 29, 2008 | |

The Department of Posts ( DoP) has objected to the plans of GeoPost—French state-run postal services utility La Poste’s subsidiary—to acquire a controlling 60 pct stake in Indian express parcel delivery firm Continental Air Express. The proposal, formally rejected by the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB), could set a precedent, given that the India Post Office Act is in the process of being amended and one proposal calls for a FDI cap in Indian courier companies.

As per global regulations, an operator seeking to establish an Extraterritorial Office Of Exchange (ETOE), i.e. a postal services operation overseas, needs to get an ‘agreement’ from the respective member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This means that GeoPost would need an okay from Indian authorities as India is a UPU member.

Currently, FDI up to 100pct is allowed in courier services for carrying packages, parcels and other items that do not come under the ambit of the India Post Office Act. While the FDI policy does not draw a distinction between investment made by a foreign private firm and a foreign government-owned entity, DoP’s prime objection in this case is with respect to La Poste’s move to circumvent UPU regulations.

GeoPost had argued that it is a separate La Poste business that focuses on premium parcels and hence, UPU obligations do not apply. Moreover, its operations in other countries have not triggered such disputes with local operators. GeoPost had also cited DHL’s example, wherein the majority stake is held by Germany’s Deutsche Post, which is also a UPU member, but is operating in India.

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EU's McCreevy complains to France, Germany, 6 other states over postal services

Posted by | Mar 27, 2008 | |

EU internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has complained to France, Germany and six other member states over lack of competition in their postal services markets, his spokesman said.

The other countries are Austria, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia, the spokesman said.

‘The commissioner sent a letter to all 27 member states on postal services,’ he said, adding that McCreevy singled out eight countries for criticism.

EU countries have to implement the European Commission’s liberalisation measures by Dec 31, 2010.

The spokesman confirmed that Dutch group TNT NV has filed a formal complaint with the commission against minimum wages in the German postal industry.

The commission is concerned about the minimum wages and a VAT exemption enjoyed by German mail incumbent Deutsche Post World Net AG.

The German government last autumn decided to make minimum wages paid at Deutsche Post mandatory for the whole industry.

TNT claims that the German government is violating EU regulations that ensure free and fair competition among EU members operating across borders.

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La Poste reports billion-euro net profit

Posted by | Mar 27, 2008 | |

The French state-run postal service, La Poste, reported on Thursday a net profit of nearly a billion euros (1.5 billion dollars) and said it would pay a profit-sharing bonus to its employees for the first time.

The company is also to pay EUR 141 million, about 15 percent of its net profit, as a dividend to the state.

Net profit totaled EUR 943 million, operating profit reached EUR 1.285 billion and sales were EUR 20.8 billion, the company said.

GeoPost, the express holding, increased revenues by 6.8 pct to EUR 3,171 million, thanks to an 11 pct rise in international business and good domestic growth in Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the UK. The separate French domestic parcels business ColiPoste increased revenues by 7.4 pct to EUR 1.33 billion, driven by e-commerce which now generates more than 10 pct of sales.

La Poste said it expected to grow in line with its targets. It expected to invest a similar sum to last year’s EUR 1.2 billion on “internal” measures such as post office modernisation but was also ready to “seize opportunities for acquisitions in each of its businesses”.

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Florence Noblot appointed CEO of DHL International Express France

Posted by | Mar 26, 2008 | |

Florence Noblot has been appointed CEO of the express air business of DHL France. Florence Noblot is heading a business unit with a workforce of 1,500 employees located at 35 sites. She will primarily be responsible for setting up DHL’s new air network in France that is linked to the opening of the new European hub at Leipzig.
Backed by 15 years of experience within DHL, Florence Noblot fully understands transport, logistics and the expectations of customers. She worked for five years at the European headquarters in Brussels and for five years in Singapore and Shanghai, at the center of DHL’s Key Account structure. She has been Vice President of DHL Global Customer Solutions for the Asia-Pacific region since May 2006, managing DHL’s 100 major international customers.
In taking up her new duties as CEO of DHL International Express France, Florence Noblot joins the DHL Express Europe Divisional Board and will report directly to Scott Price, CEO DHL Express Europe.

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La Poste serious about environment

Posted by | Mar 26, 2008 | |

Venturi Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroën have joined forces to supply Citroën Berlingo First or Peugeot Partner Origin-type electric vans in response to a tender from the French Post Office, La Poste.

Issued in April 2007, the international tender initially involves the supply of a small number of test vehicles. Following a six-month trial period, during which the vehicles with be thoroughly tested, La Poste will select the supplier of 500 mail delivery vans.

As Venturi Automobiles’ partner, PSA Peugeot Citroën feels that this phase of real-world testing represents a valuable opportunity to fine-tune the technological solutions equipping these delivery vans, to align them seamlessly with La Poste’s expectations.

The Citroën Berlingo / Peugeot Partners will be tested with an entirely new powertrain proposed by Venturi. This extremely compact technology makes it possible to fit the electric motor, battery and other EV components inside the van’s engine compartment, in lieu of the internal combustion engine. This offers the major advantage of ensuring the same load volume and payload as in a conventional version.

The electric Berlingo / Partners will have a range of up to 100 kilometers, which is amply sufficient to cover their mail delivery routes.

PSA Peugeot Citroën will contribute its automotive expertise and experience, particularly in electric vehicles.

Venturi will provide a particularly compact and innovative powertrain solution, as well as its short-run production capabilities

The partnership will enable PSA Peugeot Citroën to relaunch its EV business, where it was a pioneer and European market leader, with nearly 10,000 vehicles sold. The Group believes that in the future, electric vehicles will play an important role in reducing automotive emissions, with sales being driven primarily by city delivery vans.

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