Tag: UK

Hermes Logistik eyes acquisition in Spain

Posted by | Jan 4, 2008 | |

Hermes Logistik is considering an acquisition in Spain and potentially elsewhere to strengthen its European B2C network, according to the company’s management.

Managing director Hanjo Schneider told the Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung (DVZ) that in Spain the Otto Group subsidiary was seeking “a solution in the next 12 – 18 months”. The Spanish B2C market is currently at an early stage of development, according to experts.

Hermes currently covers five countries, representing about 85 pct of the European B2C market, through its own network, Schneider said. The UK and France are served by Otto Group subsidiaries Parcelnet and Mondial Relay, while Hermes started operations in Austria in summer 2007.

In Italy, Hermes bought a 30 pct holding in Porta a Porta, which is majority-owned by Swiss Post, in October 2007. The Swiss postal group, however, might be prepared to split off the Italian company’s parcels distribution business, and sell it to Hermes completely, whilst retaining the mail and logistics activities, the DVZ reported.

Hermes currently uses partners to deliver to other European destinations. TNT covers the Benelux area, Swiss Post covers Switzerland, and DPD is used for all other markets.

French sister company Mondial Relay last year announced plans to expand into Belgium, Spain and Portugal, while British operator Parcelnet grew with the acquisition of the Redcats courier network last spring.

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Mail volumes to continue slide (UK)

Posted by | Jan 3, 2008 | |

Only 37 per cent of businesses predict their mail volumes will increase over the next five years, a 13 per cent decrease from predictions made last year, according to a Postcomm study.

Postcomm’s annual Business Customer Survey among over 1,800 businesses reveals that while in 2006 50 per cent of businesses believed there would be an increase in mail volumes over the next five years, in 2007 only 37 per cent believed mail volumes would rise.

Over 40 per cent predicted the volumes would plateau, while 11 per cent of businesses predict a decrease in their mail volumes over the next five years. Financial services firms remain the biggest mailers, but use of mail in sectors such as charities, and health are set to increase.

One in five businesses have explored alternatives to using mail and have switched to other media, such as email, in the past 12 months.

The survey shows that Royal Mail continues to be the main service provider to business customers, serving 100 per cent of firms surveyed. Even customers which have moved some mail to alternative providers continue to use Royal Mail for most of their mail. Overall, 97 per cent of mail across the total sample was sent via Royal Mail. While perceptions of service quality have improved across Royal Mail and the alternative operators.

The research also reveals that a larger number of small businesses are beginning to benefit from competition, but much more needs to be done before small firms can experience the full benefits that larger mailers have seen since the market was opened.

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Post office closures in Scotland

Posted by | Jan 1, 2008 | |

Campaigners yesterday warned communities across Scotland will face a “devastating” blow in the New Year with the closure of hundreds of post offices.

Details of around 40 post offices likely to close in the Highlands and Islands will be announced on January 8, with the list of the 44 to be axed in Glasgow, Central Scotland and Argyll and Bute published the following day.

Announcements on further closures elsewhere in the country will be made throughout the year as part of the UK Government’s plans to shut 2500 post offices to help tackle rising losses.

Postal bosses insist “the status quo is not an option” and that the large-scale closures will guarantee the service’s long-term future.

But the decision was criticised yesterday by politicians and postal workers, who warned of the “devastating” effect it will have on local communities, especially those in rural areas.

Mike Weir, the SNP’s spokesman on business and postal affairs at Westminster, criticised the UK Government for giving communities only six weeks to fight the plans.

A spokesman for Postwatch said they believed the consultation period for the closure plans should be doubled from six to 12 weeks.

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Royal Mail loses contract to TNT

Posted by | Dec 31, 2007 | |

Royal Mail has been dumped by Preston council bosses in favour of postal operator TNT. Preston Council’s postal bill was slashed by over GBP 17,500 in the move.

Preston Council is expected to approve plans to transfer all mail to TNT although Royal Mail will still deliver the bulk of the mail through what is known as ‘Downstream Access’ – this is where rivals can sort and handle mail but leave Royal Mail to deliver it.

Royal Mail has complained to Postcomm that Downstream Access allows its rivals to poach business contracts but leaving Royal Mail to do the legwork.

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