La Poste’s express subsidiary Chronopost has expanded the international product portfolio of itsexpress shipping solution “Prêt-à-Expédier” (“Ready to ship”) with two new boxes for weights up to
3 kg destined for the European Union, overseas and the rest of the world.Responding to customers’ needs, the box (with a format 32x23x8 cm) enables A4 documents andlight goods to be sent abroad, complementing the existing Prêt-à-Expédier range for shipments tointernational destinations with different packaging sizes (500g envelope, 2 kg bubble envelope and6kg box).
If shipped within the European Union, the 3kg box is delivered next day to the main economiccentres and in 1-2 days to other destinations. Parcel boxes destined for overseas and the rest ofthe world take 48 hours to be delivered to French overseas territories and other global economiccentres. Parcels to other destinations reach their recipients in 2-4 days.
As part of Prêt-à-Expédier service launched in 2008, the new offering includes packaging,transportation, a comprehensive tracking service, transportation from depot to final delivery andhandover to the recipient against signature as well as up to €250 liability per parcel.
Meanwhile, Chronopost has also expanded its network in France. At the beginning of this year,the express operator opened an expanded depot in Limoges, west-central France, investing €2 millionin the construction, development and the security of the site with the aim to optimise processesdue to the growing express activity in the region.
The 1,490 sqm facility quintuples the area of the previous 300 sqm depot with six truck docksand 47 doors for light vans. Currently, the facility handles 3,600 parcels a day carrying out 45delivery rounds daily with 14 employees. The total area of the new facility comprises 13,381 sqmwith a possibility for extension in the next years to provide additional processing capacityfollowing the rapidly developing activity in the French department of Haute-Vienne. The company hasleased the site for 12 years.
This year, Chronopost expects a volume increase of 7% and plans to strengthen its presence insectors including printing, automotive and electrical equipment.
Founded in 1985, Chronopost handles 300,000 parcels a day and has a nationwide network of 80operational sites including six hubs and employs 3,500 people.
