Dutch snail mail keeps up with the game
The head of TNT tells Ian Bickerton how the post and logistics group has adaptedfast to survive in a changing market.
Read MoreTag: TNT
Dutch govt to consider sale of remaining 10 pct TNT stake
Dutch Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm has asked parliament if it has any objection to the government eventually selling its remaining 10 pct stake in TNT NV. In a letter on the sale of TNT shares earlier this month, sent to parliament late yesterday, Zalm cited an agreement from 2001 to inform parliament before taking the government’s stake in TNT below 10 pct. The government cut its stake from 19 pct on July 12. While the letter suggests the government may be readying for a further share sale, the remaining holding is subject to a lock-up period until July 2006.
Read MoreTNT service extended
TNT has extended its Express Import service to 20 additional countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Morocco, Libya, Madagascar, Iraq and Sri Lanka. The service allows customers to arrange collections from a client in another country and pay for the delivery in their own currency. They can also send shipments to a receiver in another country and have them pay for the transaction in the local currency, removing any difficulties arising from exchange rate conversions and fluctuations.
Read MoreThailand: Delivery companies invest in facilities near new airport
Major express delivery companies are making huge investments at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is expected to help make Thailand a new regional hub both for air travel and cargo, The Nation reports. The opening of the airport, scheduled later this year, and bilateral open-sky pacts with neighbouring countries are the most important factors behind the push. DHL predicts rapid expansion of its presence in Thailand after Suvarnabhumi Airport opens, with a plan to make its parcel and express service centre at the new airport six times larger than its existing facility at Don Muang airport. The new centre is part of DHL’s plans for expansion in the Asia-Pacific region with a total investment of USD1.4 billion (Bt57.3 billion). Investment in Thailand alone will amount to USD15 million. Meanwhile, FedEx has launched its new world service centre on King Keaw Road, about 10 minutes from the new airport, to serve customers in areas east of Bangkok. Netherlands-based TNT, the other major international player, plans to spend up to Bt4 million in 2005-2006 on warehouses and delivery centres throughout Thailand, said country general manger Winfried Kiesbueye.
Read MoreCouriers urge China Post to relax rules
The Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers, or CAPEC, an interest group representing the world’s top express courier firms in Asia, has asked China’s State Post Bureau (China Post) to further lower restrictions and interference in the mainland’s express mail service sector as the regulator is finalizing the amended rules. CAPEC, which represents DHL, FedEx Corp, United Parcel Service and TNT Express, has sent a statement urging China Post to set up a regulatory board separated from its business service department, reduce administrative interference in the industry and increase transparency. “As China is gradually opening its logistics and express market to foreign investors, no major foreign companies want to miss the opportunity to tap the emerging market,” an industry source said.
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