La Poste to Double International Package Delivery by 2006

France’s state-owned mail carrier La Poste wants to double the size of its DPD internationalpackage delivery business by the end of next year by expanding its network of partners worldwide,

Claude Begle, head of the unit, told the Financial Times Deutschland. Begle said “Our goal is todouble the size of our business by the end of 2006. In order to do this we will build up aworldwide package delivery network together with partners on four continents.” As up tillnow La Poste saw DPD primarily as a european company, such plans means a shift in thecompanies strategy. Additionally to the international expansion plans DPD also aims tofurther strenghten its european network by acquiring several local companies. According to thereport of  Financial Times Deutschland the management of La Poste and the ministry of financesalready approved the plans. Till 2008 La Poste has granted DPD 300 m€  per year for theacquisition of other companies.