La Poste’s express subsidiary Chronopost has announced a three-year plan named “Essentiel 2010” atthe occasion of the opening of its new €53 million, 13,000 sqm national hub at Chilly-Mazarin,
south of Paris.The new 2008-2010 plan, presented by Christian Emery, president of Chronopost, is designed togive the company a new strategic orientation while reinforcing its position within theindustry as well as internationally. As part of the plan the company is aiming for annual growth ofat least 6%, while the market is expected to grow at a lower rate. The company’s profitability isexpected to be in line with the market.
“Chronopost aims at an annual growth rate of at least 6% on its turnover and strongprofitability thanks to the new strategy,” Emery declared. “We approved important investments inorder to boost the development of Chronopost in the parcels sector.”
Chronopost aims to become France’s leading provider of morning express delivery services. Thecompany is planning to refocus its activities on the domestic market, concentrating on morningdeliveries and its online service. Since February 2008 the company has provided next-day deliverybefore 13:00 within France, including packaging and transportation. This product will be extendedto international destinations by end 2008.
In order to expand its market share, Chronopost will strengthen its activities in certainindustrial sectors, such as new technology and health, while it also intends to expand abroad,where it already achieves 25% of its turnover. The company is going to sign the ADEME charter forCO2 emissions and continue the environmental ISO 14001 certification program. All Chronopostdrivers will be trained for eco-friendly driving by 2009. The company also said it will focus onstaff training and take on 500 additional workers by 2010.
The new hub at Chilly-Mazarin will handle 60% of the 140,000 parcels that Chronopost receiveseach day. With a capacity of 30,000 parcels per hour and 200 staff, it is one of the mostcompetitive sorting centers in Europe, according to the operators. The hub has 83 loading platformsand 34 unloading platforms and counts 450 truck movements per day. An ISO 14001 and 9001certification is previewed for July 2008.
Chronopost has invested a total of €120 million in the reorganisation of its network, whichcovers six hubs and 76 depots, over the last three years.
