Statistical Observatory on Postal Activities in France – 2006
Statistical Observatory on Postal Activities in France – 2006
Read MoreTag: France
EU may open up postal markets by 2011
European Union countries are likely to agree to a delayed opening of the bloc’s postal markets to full competition, a French minister said yesterday.
The European Commission has proposed stripping away the remaining barriers to competition from 2009 but the measure needs approval from the bloc’s member states and the European Parliament.
The measure has sparked protests by postal workers in many EU nations, particularly France, who fears job losses.
EU transport ministers meet in Luxembourg on Monday with the aim of reaching a political agreement.
Under parliament’s first-reading compromise, full liberalization would not start until 2011 with the 12 mostly eastern European states that joined the EU in 2004 and after having until 2013 to implement the reform.
Parliament also effectively allowed Luxembourg and Greece to delay liberalization until 2013.
The EU assembly’s compromise is expected to form the basis of the text adopted by ministers.
The market for letters weighing up to 50 grams is currently shielded from competition. Mail above that weight is fully liberalized.
The measure contains safeguards to ensure a range of everyday services, such as letter collection and delivery, known as the universal service, is maintained even in the most thinly populated areas.
Parliament also inserted a reciprocity clause so a country that is fully liberalized does not have to authorize competitors from states that have yet to open their own sectors.
Swedish and British postal markets are already fully liberalized.
Germany and the Netherlands are due to open theirs to full competition next year.
The sector employs 5.2 million people, who deliver 135 billion items a year to the European Union’s 490 million consumers.
Read MoreKlaus Pfab appointed CEO of DHL Express France
From 1st October 2007, Klaus Pfab will be CEO of DHL Express France. He will report to Scott Price, CEO of DHL Express Europe.
Klaus Pfab is an expert in the transport industry with more than 40 years of experience. He joined Danzas group in 1971 and was responsible of different areas in DHL France. Before this appointment he was Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding France/Benelux.
Read MoreLa Poste heads for higher 2007 profits as express and parcels grow
The French postal operator Groupe La Poste is on course for a double-digit rise in operating profits this year thanks to good growth for its express and parcels businesses and stable mail activities. Changes are meanwhile taking place at subsidiaries Chronopost and Europe Airpost.
The group announced that it achieved a half-year operating profit of EUR 829 million on revenues up 3.7 pct at EUR 10.5 billion (on a like-for-like comparison). Net profits ended at EUR 504 million.
La Poste stated that the results are “in line” with its planning targets, and reiterated its aim of achieving a 12 pct rise in operating profits and a 5.8 pct operating profit margin this year. It invested EUR 590 million in the half-year, including EUR 105 million for express acquisitions.
The mail business increased half-year revenues by 2.6 pct to EUR 5.95 billion. Volumes were “virtually stable” compared to the general downward trend in mail traffic across Europe, while revenues benefited from new direct marketing customers and added-value products for consumers, La Poste pointed out.
The express division (GeoPost) increased revenues by 8.4 pct (6.4 pct on a like-for-like basis) to EUR 1.54 billion. GeoPost continued its international expansion in the first half-year, including acquisitions of 50pct in South African company Laser and 25 pct in Turkey’s Yurtici Kargo, La Poste stated. The French domestic parcels business (ColiPoste) increased revenues by 6.5pct to EUR 646 million thanks to a surge in e-commerce business.
Read MoreNeopost announces the acquisition of PFE, a worldwide supplier of folders/inserters
Neopost announced the acquisition of PFE International Ltd, a worldwide supplier of folders/inserters.
PFE is a privately-owned UK company which was founded in 1963. PFE generated sales of GBP 29.3 million in 2006, of which almost 80 pct came from outside the UK. PFE has a distributor network covering 55 countries as well as 10 subsidiaries located in Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. The company employs 480 staff.
A strong complementarily exists between Neopost and PFE’s lines of folding and inserting products. Neopost is mainly focused in the lower volume market while PFE is strongly focused in the higher volume market. The transaction will result in a more comprehensive product line and a reinforced distribution network as well as increased synergies with Neopost’s mailing systems. The companies signed an agreement covering the acquisition of most of PFE’s activities.
The activities to be acquired generated sales of GBP 27.5 million in 2006 with an EBIT margin of about 5 pct. The transaction will be based on an enterprise value of GBP 27.2 million, around one times sales, and will be financed by the existing credit lines. The transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.
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