The integration of the various DHL companies in European countries could be improved, accordingto Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) chairman Klaus Zumwinkel. “The integration could go better in
some areas in several countries,” he told German newspaper Handelsblatt in an interview. The UK andFrance were particular cases. In recent years, DPWN has faced the challenge of integrating severalcompanies in most European countries following the acquisition of DHL, Danzas and a large number oflocal and regional express and freight specialist operators. But Zumwinkel stressed: “After about100 acquisitions, Deutsche Post has substantial experience in this (integration).”The German postal, express and logistics group has recently announced new appointments fornational and regional DHL organisations in Europe. The aim was to gain more “drive” in theintegration process, Zumwinkel said. Chris Muntwyler, former operations chief of DHL ExpressEurope, has replaced John Hogan as head of DHL in the UK. Claude Béglé has been headhunted fromrival GeoPost / DPD and named as the new head of DHL Express Germany and Central Europe.
In a separate interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, Zumwinkel said thatthe corporate name “Deutsche Post World Net” could be dropped in the medium term as the companycontinued its internationalisation and diversification strategy. “It’s not a burning issue. Perhapswe’ll talk about it in five years’ time,” he commented. The company already uses “DHL” as its mainbrand for international mail, express and logistics activities, while the official company name “Deutsche Post” is retained for the domestic German mail business. But the DPWN chief, referring tothe “Deutsche Post” name, stressed: “It would be absolutely crazy to give this brand up.”
