Post Danmark and financial investor CVC today completed their acquisition of a 50 per cent stake(minus one share) in De Post – La Poste (Belgian Post). The deal marks the first major investment
by one European postal operator in another and creates a new grouping in the European postalsector.Post Danmark announced that an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting of Belgian Post approved ashare increase in the company. The consortium formed by Post Danmark and CVC has acquired 50 percent minus one share of Belgian Post’s capital stock through a capital increase of 300 millioneuros. The Belgian state, which remains majority shareholder with 50 per cent plus one share, alsocontributed 40 million euros to the capital increase.
The Danish state post operator said that the objective of the transaction was to secure BelgianPost’s position as a competitive operator, with high standards in service and quality andattractive financial returns to all shareholders. The company’s strategies and key action lineswere set out in a five-year business plan that was approved by today’s inaugural meeting of thenewly-composed Board of Directors.
Bruno Tuybens, Belgian Secretary of State for state-owned enterprises, declared: “This is animportant step forward for Belgian Post. It is my conviction that the new shareholder structurecreates a strong platform from which the company will be able to benefit from the experience andknow-how of Post Danmark and CVC as to help improve quality of service, in the best interest of theBelgian public.”
Johnny Thijs, CEO of De Post – La Poste, added: “I feel really excited today, as Belgian Post isentering into a new era of its development. Competition is increasing and our new shareholder willhelp us to take up the challenge successfully. Our objective is to turn this partnership into awin-win-win deal for shareholders, customers and employees”.
Helge Israelsen, CEO of Post Danmark, commented: “The preparations for the closing have takenplace in the same constructive atmosphere as the work before the signing. It is my conviction thata strong foundation has now been established for the ongoing modernization of Belgian Post, and Iam looking forward to the future work in the Board.”
