Tag: La Poste

GeoPost announces sales of 3.1 billion euros in 2007

Posted by | Apr 1, 2008 | |

In 2007, sales of GeoPost, subsidiary of the French La Poste Group and leader in the European BtoB express delivery market, topped the EUR 3-billion mark. Its 2007 sales totalled 3.171 billion euros, an increase of 6.8 pct compared to 2006, on a like-for-like basis and at constant exchange rate.

GeoPost consolidated its position in Europe by acquiring Seur’s Santander franchise, in Spain, and reinforced its partnership with the leading express delivery company in Turkey, Yurtiçi Kargo, by acquiring a 25 pct-stake in the company. In South Africa, a new joint venture with the Laser group has enabled GeoPost to move into the country’s domestic express market.

GeoPost has expanded its international brand DPD into Poland, Benelux, Russia and the Baltic States. Thanks to its subsidiaries, leaders in their respective countries, and to a first rate DPD European transport network, GeoPost is today, in terms of sales, the third leading express parcel service provider in Europe.

Agreements signed with Air France /SoDeXi and Aramex have given GeoPost access to intercontinental routes.

Hence, in terms of volume, 2007 saw GeoPost confirm its position as the second largest express company in Europe – 528 million parcels delivered, in 2007 – for 300,000 customers.

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Merger between Posten and Post Danmark

Posted by | Apr 1, 2008 | |

The Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy & Communications, The Danish Ministry of Transport and CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”) have signed a letter of intent regarding a merger between Posten AB (“Posten”) and Post Danmark A/S (“Post Danmark”). The companies’ rationale is to meet the markets increasing challenges through an increased competitiveness of a merged company. This merger will also secure the possibility to maintain a first class mail and parcel business in both countries continuing to reach all enterprise customers and households.
The agreement entails a merger between both companies into a combined company which will be jointly owned by the Swedish state, the Danish state, CVC and the employees. The merged company will have annual revenue of approximately SEK 45 billion and include over 50,000 employees.

Fritz H. Schur., currently Chairman of Post Danmark, will be appointed Chairman. Erik Olsson, currently the CEO of Posten, will assume the position as CEO of the merged company. The parent company will be Swedish and the headquarters will be located in Stockholm. The Swedish state together with the employees of Posten will own 60 percent of the merged company and the Danish state together with the employees of Post Danmark and CVC will own 40 percent. As part of the agreement, Posten will distribute an extraordinary dividend of SEK 1,400 million to the Swedish state. In all other respects, the influence of the owners is balanced in such a way that the Swedish state will have equal voting rights as the Danish state and CVC together.

The merged company will be organised along specialised business divisions, in a similar way as Posten has been organised since January 1, 2007. The traditional postal business in each respective country will be operated as national entities adhering to national regulations and using the same brands as today (“Posten” and “Post Danmark”). The logistics businesses will be joined under one division and under an own brand. The information logistics and graphical business will be joined under the Strålfors brand in the merged company. Beyond the four main businesses, the company will comprise group functions and one unit for shared services. Post Danmark’s 25% ownership in De Post – La Poste (Belgium) will also be part of the merged company.

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E-BOX is condemned for damaging La Poste and counterfeit

Posted by | Mar 31, 2008 | |

La Poste initiated a legal action against E-Box on 6 June 2006 and requested the cancellation of trade marks arguing the similarity to La Poste brands and claiming it could create confusion to the consumers. La Poste also requested EUR 215,000 for compensation.

In response, E-BOX replied claiming that La Poste has unfair competition and abuse of dominant position for the realization of the self service project 24/7 proposed by EBOX from 2001 to 2004 (in partnership with La Poste). E-BOX also requested EUR 2 million for compensation.

The brands subject to the legal actions were presented to the pertinent French authorities after the promulgation of the postal law in May 2005 which created the ARCEP organization (French postal regulator).

E-BOX considers that the simultaneity of the action forces in justice against E-BOX and the launch of CITYSSIMO (www.cityssimo.fr) in 2006 (automatic delivery of parcels of La Poste) is not a coincidence.

On 11 March 2008, after 2 years of legal procedures, the Court of Justice issued its decision (This sentence is provisional since one of the parts can still appeal):

The tribunal:

– Condemns E-BOX for counterfeiting by imitation of the following brands: ’agence postale rapide ebox’’, agence postale jaune’’, agence postale orange’’,’’agence postale erte’’, ‘’point poste jaune’’, ‘’point poste orange’’, and ‘’point poste vert’’. E-BOX must pay to La Poste EUR 20,500.

– Declares inadmissible the counterclaim of EBOX against La Poste

In revenge the tribunal:

– Don’t approve the nullity of the ’agence postale rapide e-box’’ brand
– Declares the validity of the following E-BOX brands: ‘’post ebox’’, “e-box, l’ autre poste’’, et ‘’e-box, une autre idée de la poste’’.

E-BOX is not going to appeal to this sentence due to the lack of financial resources.

In 2006, E-BOX in a context of opening to the competition of the postal markets, several times nominated to “World Mail Awards” for IT innovation, nourished a legitimate ambition of development of its concept of fast station and self-service service 24/7.

After 2 years of legal process, E-BOX:

– Stopped the exploitation of the first point French automated parcel on October 30, 2007
– Proposes the dismissal of the full time employees
– Presents negative Capital stocks at the end of 2007 in spite of a strong capitalization (EUR 1.680.000).

E-BOX will call to a General Meeting at the end of April 2008 to discuss the possibility to declare the company in bankruptcy.

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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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