Good results for Swiss Post International
25 March 2009 - Sarah Sharpe
Turnover at Swiss Post International was slightly lower in 2008 compared with 2007 as a result of exchange rates. Overall, turnover came to EUR 652 m, which was EUR 45 m less than in 2007. By contrast, profit at Swiss Post International went up by EUR 2 m to EUR 23 m (2007: EUR 21 m).
Swiss Post International (SPI), which operates exclusively in the international mail, parcel and express business, posted a 6.5% drop in sales for 2008. This was due primarily to the unfavourable situation as regards exchange rates. However, it lifted its profit again by 10% to Euro 23 m. "In the next few years we expect to see an annual growth increase of 6-8% as a result of acquisitions", explains Daniel Baettig, Head of International Mail. He goes on to say: "Most of the results for our subsidiaries were higher in 2008 than in 2007."
Entering new markets
Last year, Swiss Post International continued to drive forward the development of its international network. At the beginning of 2008, SPI acquired the Swedish letter post company IMS Europe AB. In July, SPI entered into a strategic alliance with dsicmm Ltd – the largest provider of direct communication services in the UK – for a period of four years. In the same month the company took over Global Press Distribution GmbH in Germany, thus consolidating its position in the largest press market in Europe. Finally, after a change in the company structure of Italy-based parcel and logistics company Porta a Porta, in which SPI focuses on the cross-border mail business, the company will now be known as Swiss Post Porta a Porta S.p.A. In Italy, SPI works together with the Hermes Logistics Group, which operates there in its core business B2C. Beyond this cooperation in Italy, SPI is also the sales partner of choice for Hermes in the European B2C markets.
Finally, SPI gained a foothold in India in May 2008 by engaging Mail Order Solutions (MOS), based in Mumbai, as a distribution partner. It will work in the market as SPI India from now on.
International out in front
With its consolidated growth path, Swiss Post International remains at the forefront of postal service providers operating in the international letter business. Daniel Baettig says:"In the first two months of this year, we were ahead of the same period in 2008." He goes on: "However, the economic crisis affecting many sectors makes it difficult to give forecasts for the year as a whole." SPI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Post and currently employs 1,300 people in eleven European countries, four countries in Asia and in the USA. Swiss Post International is currently number three postal service provider active in the international letter business.
Swiss Post International
Swiss Post International Holding AG was established in 1996 and is a 100% subsidiary of Swiss Post. This Swiss Post business unit now has some 1,300 employees in 11 European countries, five Asian metropolises, and the USA.
Swiss Post International offers a range of postal products and services to private and business customers engaging in international postal traffic with Switzerland. With its international branches, furthermore, Swiss Post International offers a specialized range of cross-border postal products for business customers, from processing of business post, comprehensive direct marketing services and end-to-end distribution of newspapers and magazines to subscription management and small consignments.
Source: Swiss Post
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