TNT Post, which is Royal Mail’s main competitor in the UK postal market, has announced theofficial launch of its operations in Northern Ireland and is considering moving into the Republic
of Ireland as well.The N. Ireland business is also expected to generate mass cost savings for the territory’sorganisations including large and small, public and private companies, the company said.
The UK postal market was liberalised in 2004 allowing competition for the collection and sortingof mail before it is handed over to Royal Mail for final mile delivery to consumer and businessletterboxes.
TNT Post UK said the addition of its Northern Ireland operation boosts the company’s network toseven mail centres, extending its full postal coverage of mainland UK where it currently handles 3billion mail items a year employing over 1,200 people.
TNT Post services in Northern Ireland include next day delivery of mail, FirstSort, as well assorted and unsorted two and three day definite delivery services, which are complemented by a rangeof addressed and unaddressed direct mail, carbon-free and PC-to-letterbox mail options.
Based in Newtonabbey, Belfast, TNT Post has already begun to work with over 100 local businessesin Ireland and will have handled over 60 million mail items by the end of this year.
Nick Wells, CEO of TNT Post UK, commented: “TNT Post will offer the capability, expertise andresources to handle millions of mail items in Northern Ireland, bringing true postal cost savingsand innovative postal solutions.”
“As TNT Post grows in Northern Ireland, we look forward to expanding our local employee base,extending our services to the Republic of Ireland and rewarding customers and the local economythrough costs savings,” Wells said.
In 2011, TNT predicts it will handle mail volumes surpassing 72 million mail items in NorthernIreland allowing the company to create new jobs in the country to expand mail account teams,increase depot and operations staff and collection and delivery drivers.
One of TNT Post’s first customers in Northern Ireland, Colin McEvoy, Director of NorthernIreland, Open + Direct Insurance, commented: “At Open + Direct we pride ourselves on excellentcustomer service provided through our strong network of high street branches. Our partnership withTNT Post for the collection, sorting and delivery of mail to our customers country-wide cementsthis proposition, allowing us to communicate in a fast, efficient and cost-effective way – a savingthat we ultimately are able to pass on to the customer.”
“TNT Post understands the need for the timely delivery to customers of important, time-sensitiveinformation. Through a dedicated account manager who understands our needs, we have a mailingsolution tailored to our requirements and flexible around us,” McEvoy added.
