Tractations en cours DHL-FEDEX ???
Jeff Berman, Senior Editor -- Logistics Management, 1/25/2008
Tractations en cours DHL-FEDEX ???
Selon Jeff Bermann, Logistics, Management, (http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/CA6525491.html?nid=2799&rid=72577706)
"BONN, Germany—A report from the Financial Times Deutschland published yesterday stated that Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), the parent company of express services and logistics services provider DHL, is contemplating selling DHL’s Express operations in the United States by the end of May as part of a wider turnaround plan that could be announced.
The FT reported that DPWN is currently in talks with FedEx CEO Fred Smith. And it noted that one potential scenario could have FedEx taking control of the whole parcel delivery business of DPWN in the U.S., with DPWN assuming control of FedEx’ European services. Not surprisingly, DPWN declined to comment on this rumor, according to the FT. But DPWN Chief Financial Officer John Allan did say that DPWN has “several options. Some can be realized in the short term—some not.”
But as it turns out this report was nothing more than speculation, LM has learned. DHL Director of Corporate Communications Jonathan Baker told LM that any withdrawal of DHL Express in the U.S. market can be completely ruled out.
“There is no questioning of us exiting the U.S. business,” Baker said in an interview.
A report from investment bank Bear Stearns published today noted that while CFO Allan has been unequivocal in saying that DPWN will not dispose of the DHL Express U.S. business, it represents a source of confusion. And in Bear’s view, it maintains that DPWN may look to dispose all or most of its U.S. domestic operations while keeping a significant U.S. international presence.
What’s more, the FT report said that DPWN Chief Executive Klaus Zumwinkel is planning to sell the DHL Express U.S. unit, as well as merge Postbank, DPWN’s banking subsidiary, with another bank in light of criticism from investors and industry analysts that have called out Zumwinkel for financial losses at DHL Express in the U.S. LM reported yesterday that DPWN took an $874 million non-cash writedown on DHL Express operations in the U.S., indicating they are committed to remaining in the U.S. market. And the FT report said that DHL Express U.S. operations have generated losses up to $7 billion Euros or approximately $10.2 billion U.S.
A potential takeover of DHL’s U.S. operations does not make a ton of sense on various levels, said Doug Caldwell, executive vice president of ParcelPool, an Orem, Utah-based small parcel delivery consultancy and services provider.
“FedEx would essentially be buying a duplication of what they already have..in the U.S. market,” said Caldwell. “They would be buying redundant facilities, which they would not need. They would also be buying a customer base, and customers with DHL often pay less than they would with FedEx, so they would be buying customers at a lower rate than many of their current customers are paying [with FedEx]. It would upset current FedEx customers that would be wondering why they are paying premium for FedEx services.”
Another problem standing in the way of FedEx acquiring DHL Express U.S are regulatory issues, said Caldwell. If FedEx were to take over a large competitor like DHL, there would be a “mountain of regulatory issues to hurdle” and there would not be much in it for FedEx, he added.
If a deal between FedEx and DPWN were to occur, one possibility would be to have FedEx leverage DPWN’s breadth in the European market, which it does not possess, said Caldwell.
“Could there be an agreement where FedEx might handle some [DHL] U.S. operations in exchange for more access to the European market?” asked Caldwell.
This report also does not fit in with what DHL has previously disclosed, regarding its U.S initiatives, such as the recent strategic partnership announcement by DHL and Walgreens, a national pharmacy chain, which will provide small businesses and consumers with access to DHL’s overnight, ground, and international delivery services at more than 6,500 Walgreens locations by the end of this year.
“If DHL had been considering pulling out of the U.S., they would have not signed this Walgreens deal, nor would DPWN had announced its global IT outsourcing deal with HP, which specifically includes DHL operations in the U.S.,” said Caldwell. “What would they have to outsource if they were not gong to be here?”
In terms of current European operations, FedEx acquired England-based ANC Holdings Limited, a domestic express service provider in December 2006, which now is known as FedEx Ground in Europe. Caldwell said this is a good operating model for FedEx in this market and said the company is interested in having an expanded local ground presence in Europe, but is unsure if acquiring DHL is the way to do it.
“It is possible that there is some type of future cooperation between FedEx and DHL, but I don’t think it is in the cards at the moment,” said Caldwell."
Tractations en cours DHL-FEDEX ???
Selon Jeff Bermann, Logistics, Management, (http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/CA6525491.html?nid=2799&rid=72577706)
"BONN, Germany—A report from the Financial Times Deutschland published yesterday stated that Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), the parent company of express services and logistics services provider DHL, is contemplating selling DHL’s Express operations in the United States by the end of May as part of a wider turnaround plan that could be announced.
The FT reported that DPWN is currently in talks with FedEx CEO Fred Smith. And it noted that one potential scenario could have FedEx taking control of the whole parcel delivery business of DPWN in the U.S., with DPWN assuming control of FedEx’ European services. Not surprisingly, DPWN declined to comment on this rumor, according to the FT. But DPWN Chief Financial Officer John Allan did say that DPWN has “several options. Some can be realized in the short term—some not.”
But as it turns out this report was nothing more than speculation, LM has learned. DHL Director of Corporate Communications Jonathan Baker told LM that any withdrawal of DHL Express in the U.S. market can be completely ruled out.
“There is no questioning of us exiting the U.S. business,” Baker said in an interview.
A report from investment bank Bear Stearns published today noted that while CFO Allan has been unequivocal in saying that DPWN will not dispose of the DHL Express U.S. business, it represents a source of confusion. And in Bear’s view, it maintains that DPWN may look to dispose all or most of its U.S. domestic operations while keeping a significant U.S. international presence.
What’s more, the FT report said that DPWN Chief Executive Klaus Zumwinkel is planning to sell the DHL Express U.S. unit, as well as merge Postbank, DPWN’s banking subsidiary, with another bank in light of criticism from investors and industry analysts that have called out Zumwinkel for financial losses at DHL Express in the U.S. LM reported yesterday that DPWN took an $874 million non-cash writedown on DHL Express operations in the U.S., indicating they are committed to remaining in the U.S. market. And the FT report said that DHL Express U.S. operations have generated losses up to $7 billion Euros or approximately $10.2 billion U.S.
A potential takeover of DHL’s U.S. operations does not make a ton of sense on various levels, said Doug Caldwell, executive vice president of ParcelPool, an Orem, Utah-based small parcel delivery consultancy and services provider.
“FedEx would essentially be buying a duplication of what they already have..in the U.S. market,” said Caldwell. “They would be buying redundant facilities, which they would not need. They would also be buying a customer base, and customers with DHL often pay less than they would with FedEx, so they would be buying customers at a lower rate than many of their current customers are paying [with FedEx]. It would upset current FedEx customers that would be wondering why they are paying premium for FedEx services.”
Another problem standing in the way of FedEx acquiring DHL Express U.S are regulatory issues, said Caldwell. If FedEx were to take over a large competitor like DHL, there would be a “mountain of regulatory issues to hurdle” and there would not be much in it for FedEx, he added.
If a deal between FedEx and DPWN were to occur, one possibility would be to have FedEx leverage DPWN’s breadth in the European market, which it does not possess, said Caldwell.
“Could there be an agreement where FedEx might handle some [DHL] U.S. operations in exchange for more access to the European market?” asked Caldwell.
This report also does not fit in with what DHL has previously disclosed, regarding its U.S initiatives, such as the recent strategic partnership announcement by DHL and Walgreens, a national pharmacy chain, which will provide small businesses and consumers with access to DHL’s overnight, ground, and international delivery services at more than 6,500 Walgreens locations by the end of this year.
“If DHL had been considering pulling out of the U.S., they would have not signed this Walgreens deal, nor would DPWN had announced its global IT outsourcing deal with HP, which specifically includes DHL operations in the U.S.,” said Caldwell. “What would they have to outsource if they were not gong to be here?”
In terms of current European operations, FedEx acquired England-based ANC Holdings Limited, a domestic express service provider in December 2006, which now is known as FedEx Ground in Europe. Caldwell said this is a good operating model for FedEx in this market and said the company is interested in having an expanded local ground presence in Europe, but is unsure if acquiring DHL is the way to do it.
“It is possible that there is some type of future cooperation between FedEx and DHL, but I don’t think it is in the cards at the moment,” said Caldwell."