Chronopost, the La Poste Group subsidiary, is taking to the road as it steps up itsrestructuring process under new chief Thomas Lot. The express operator aims to expand its ground
network and reduce air-based operations under a new three-year strategy up to 2008.Under plans outlined by Lot earlier this month, Chronopost will invest €50 million in developinga domestic network of five sorting hubs and 60 depots. Two new hubs will be opened in the Ile deFrance region around Paris and at Lyon, and an existing hub at Poitiers will be tripled in size.Twelve new depots will be opened. There are also plans to develop a network of parcel collectionpoints.
At the same time, Chronopost will downsize its air express operations, which currently generateabout 20% of volumes, to just 5% in 2007. There will be cost-saving measures, including new workingshifts, but also investment in new technology to enable real-time tracking and tracing.
Chronopost increased revenues 5% to €616 million in 2005 and delivered 54 million expressdocuments and parcels, according to French media reports.
