The German courier, express and parcels (CEP) market grew by 7.2% last year, with revenue growthoutpacing volumes thanks to a higher proportion of premium shipments, according to a new study
published by the German international express association (BIEK). The association represents theleading private express and parcels firms in Germany.Revenues in the German CEP market increased by 7.2% to €11.9 billion while volumes grew by 5.3%to 1.95 billion shipments, the latest annual BIEK study found. There was particularly strong growthof 7.5% in the number of premium domestic and international shipments. The average yield pershipment rose from €6 per item in 2004 to €6.11 per item in 2005, mostly due to the growth ofpremium products.
The number of persons directly employed in the CEP industry increased by 4,000 to a total of169,000. The sector contributes about 1% of German GDP, according to the study by Cologne-basedKE-Consult.
“The shipment and revenue figures predicted in previous years were once again clearly exceeded,”commented BIEK chairman Ralf Wojtek. “The CEP sector, as an important growth engine for the Germanlogistics industry, expects its positive development to continue in the future.”
BIEK predicted that the German CEP market would continue to grow strongly in the next few yearsthanks to macro-economic trends such as globalisation, rising import volumes and e-commerce. Theassociation now expects German CEP volumes to top two billion in 2006, rising to 2.25 billion in2009 and heading towards 2.3-2.4 billion in 2010. The sector’s revenue is expected to increase toabout €12.5 billion this year, to €13 billion in 2007 and €15 billion in 2010.
But the CEP industry is also facing various political threats to its growth prospects, the studynoted. The industry needed to operate night flights at German airports, and required unhinderedaccess to city centres, a growth-oriented taxation policy and fair competitive conditions. Asustainable transport policy and the rapid presentation of the planned German logistics and freighttransport masterplan were vital to ensure that the sector could realise its growth potential, BIEKsaid.
