Deutsche Post and TNT have announced targeted acquisitions to expand their mail activities in theNetherlands.
Deutsche Post has become the 100% owner of Dutch mail company Selekt Mail by acquiring the49% holding of Koninklijke Wegener NV for an undisclosed sum. This move further strengthens theposition of Deutsche Post in the Netherlands and creates new opportunities in this key Europeanmarket by offering more combined cross-border and domestic mail services.
Along with Interlanden and DHL Global Mail, Selekt Mail Nederland forms a key pillar ofDeutsche Post’s domestic and international mail business in the Dutch mail market. As the importantalternative mail provider for the delivery of addressed mail items, Selekt Mail Nederland is amajor competitor of the national public postal operator in this market segment in the Netherlandsand has become the Dutch leader in mail-order based mail delivery. In addition to the delivery ofaddressed mail items – including direct mail, brochures and catalogues – Selekt Mail Nederlandprovides a range of mail-related value-added services.
Meanwhile, telecoms group KPN has announced its intention to sell Getronics Document Servicesto TNT Post, TNT’s mail division, for an undisclosed sum. The 150 employees at Document Services,their expertise in the print market, and customer and supplier contracts will be transferred to TNTPost Billing & Document Solutions.
The acquisition fits into TNT Post’s core activities in billing and document solutions.Marking a strengthening of its position in the print market, it opens up opportunities to extendits e-billing activities to a wider range of clients. As a market leader in the Netherlands inthese businesses, TNT Post Billing & Document Solutions offers a broad range of solutions inprocessing transaction mailings, such as print, e-billing, digital invoicing and scanmail.
The proposed sale of Document Services is fully in line with the Getronics strategy that wasannounced in February 2008. Getronics focuses on providing standardised ICT services in a worldwhere telecommunications and IT merge. Getronics provides workspace management, data centers &hosting services and consulting services. The print and mail services offered by Document Servicesno longer fit into this strategy.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2009. Getronics’ central WorksCouncil and the relevant Works Council at TNT Post will be asked for advice.
