Pallet delivery is being linked to factoring, trade finance and inventory management, in what may be unique added-value service for shippers.
Bibby route one will do the transport but will also promote recently-expanded services from Bibby Financial Services.
Royal Mail Group today announced, as expected, an improving financial performance and predicted a return to profit in 2003/04. They also announced continued growth in mail volumes and their best industrial relations for over 10 years. At the same time the new Chief Executive admitted, (in advance of announcing the details next week) that it was disappointing only 3 of the 15 performance targets were met. One of the targets missed was for the flagship 1st class stamped and franked service. Royal Mail revealed that only 91.8% of 1st class letters arrive next day. This means that over a million letters per day are not arriving on time. Peter Carr, Chairman of Postwatch, commenting on the announcement said, “This is very good news and the new management should be congratulated – in particular they should be applauded for a year without industrial conflict. “Customers will remain concerned that, although improving, standards of service are still short of target at a time when prices have increased”.
Read MoreBirmingham-based Business Post is in the final stages of acquiring a Midlands-based logistics company. Chief executive Paul Carvell, speaking as the company reported bumper annual profits, would not be drawn on the name of his target. But he confirmed the deal would be a large one for Business Post, require the ungeared company to take on debt and involve a Midlands-based company with a national coverage of ‘complementary’ services to the business parcel, courier and fledgling mail services offered by his company. While Business Post ran an eye over mail operations of Hays Group, which has its largest distribution centre in Nuneaton, it is not considering a bid, leaving the way open for Deutsche Post. Other candidates may include Willenhall-based Nightfreight, the heavy goods delivery company that was taken private at the start of 2001 after aborted merger talks with United Carriers, now owned by French group Geodis.
Alternatively, Midlands-based Lynx, which was acquired by private equity firm Bridgepoint in 1997, is known to be on the market.
UK flour miller Rank Hovis has awarded Exel a five-year, £15m ( t21.7m) contract for the warehousing and delivery of bagged flour and distribution of bulk product from 14 locations. Exel has worked with the company for 10 years and now becomes lead logistics manager.
Read MoreBusiness Post, one of the UK’s leading express delivery companies, announces a successful first year’s implementation of the three year plan which was set out in November 2001. Peter Kane, Chairman, stated that “The principal features of the year have been the creation of a new business unit structure; significant levels of investment in the franchise network, training and customer service; and the acquisition of BXT, a specialist technical courier. Despite unhelpful economic conditions, the results of these actions have been gains in market share in each of the sectors in which we operate, and further improvements in turnover, profit and dividends.” Turnover up 18.7% to GBPm 156.3, operating profit up 6.8% to GBPm 15.6 and pre-tax profit up 6.6% to GBPm 16.1
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