Swiss Post International (SPI) has announced the acquisition of MCM Direct Limited, a UK mailingservices provider based in the south of England, as part of the company’s continuous growth
strategy.This move enables Swiss Post to offer direct cross-border delivery of mail and press from and tothe United Kingdom for UK companies. This includes shipping services for direct marketing,newspapers and magazines, small goods and business correspondence, making it a retail serviceprovider in the United Kingdom.
With immediate effect, SPI has taken over all activities of MCM Direct Limited based inSouthampton. MCM provides a range of postal services for local business customers in theSouthampton region including the preparation, dispatch and delivery of mailings, catalogues andsmall goods. It is the region’s market and quality leader in this sector and a long-standingcustomer of Swiss Post International. SPI has been operating in the UK since 1997, offering mailingproviders international shipping services for large volumes.
In 2009, MCM generated sales of £2.1 million. All its 32 employees, who share 17 full-timepositions, will be taken on by Swiss Post International. The parties have agreed that the purchaseamount will not be disclosed. With over 20 years of experience, MCM serves 250 customers across theUK.
The UK’s postal market has been fully deregulated since 2006. “To survive in the face ofcompetition, postal operators need to offer their customers both national and internationalshipping services. Business customers of MCM can now enjoy the full service range offered by SwissPost International in cross-border letter and goods shipping,” Swiss Post said in a statement.
With the acquisition of MCM, Swiss Post is continuing to increase its presence in internationalmarkets outside the basic service in line with the strategic objectives outlined for Swiss Post bythe Federal Council. Swiss Post currently generates almost 20% of its sales abroad and in itscross-border business.
Swiss Post International is a unit of Swiss Post, employing around 1,300 people in Europe, Asiaand the USA. In 2009, Swiss Post International generated profits of CHF 53 million from sales ofCHF 1,028 million. It is currently the third largest national postal company in the world in theinternational letter business.
