- Revenue growth to exceed annual market growth by 1 to 2percentage points
- EBIT improvement at DHL targeted an average annual rate of 13 to 15percent through 2015
- Earnings stabilization at about EUR 1 billion planned at MAIL
- CEO Frank Appel: “Setting the pace in profitability terms as well”
Bonn, 11/23/2010, 08:30 AM CET
CEO Frank Appel: “In future years, our focus will be directed clearly at generating growth – in terms of both earnings and revenues.”
Deutsche Post DHL intends to significantly increase its earnings in the coming years and become the industry’s trendsetter in profitability as well. After announcing its Strategy 2015 based on the two pillars mail and logistics last year, the Group now further specified its targets during an investor conference held today in Frankfurt. For its DHL divisions the Group intends to generate annual EBIT growth by an average of 13 to 15 percent through 2015, based on the expected operating profit of more than EUR 1.3 billion this year and assuming the absence of another major global economic downturn.
In the process, which will be impacted in the next two years by investments in the further development of the existing business, the company expects earnings momentum to accelerate towards the end of the period. The MAIL division is to stabilize its annual earnings contribution at about EUR 1 billion. During the current year, it is expected to generate between EUR 1.1 billion and EUR 1.2 billion.
“Thanks to our products and services, we are already the leader in many areas. We now intend to set the pace in the industry in profitability terms as well,” Frank Appel, the CEO of Deutsche Post DHL, told investors and analysts in Frankfurt. “In recent years, we have laid the strongest foundation for this by introducing far-reaching efficiency-enhancing measures. In future years, our focus will be directed clearly at generating growth – in terms of both earnings and revenues.”
Planned Growth
The planned growth in revenue will also be primarily driven by the DHL divisions. CFO Larry Rosen stressed that the company remains committed to the goal of exceeding the respective market growth rates by 1 to 2 percentage points and provided a detailed revenue outlook for the individual DHL divisions: Against the backdrop of a largely stable world economy, the company projects revenue growth in its EXPRESS division to total an average of about 7 percent in future years. In the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division, Deutsche Post DHL expects to increase revenues in air freight by 6 to 8 percent annually and in sea freight by an average of 7 to 8 percent. In the SUPPLY CHAIN division, revenues are forecast to climb by an average of 8 to 9 percent.
To achieve its goals, the Group will invest in an array of strategic initiatives over the next few years. The primary focus of these investments will be developing new products, tapping new customer groups and expanding the company’s market position in rapidly growing industrial sectors. In a reflection of this effort, Deutsche Post DHL is concentrating on specific logistics solutions for the Life Sciences & Healthcare, Technology and Energy industries. The customer base is to be expanded both in the area of major customers and in the group of fast-growing new companies. In the MAIL division, the Group intends to also stabilize revenues in the medium term, particularly by transforming its business into the digital age through the introduction of such products as the E-Postbrief or the shopping portal “Mein Paket”.
Stability and Flexibility
“We are systematically adapting ourselves to meet the needs of our customers and are developing solutions in every business area that will make their lives easier. By taking this approach, we will accomplish our goal of remaining the postal service for Germany and becoming the logistics service provider for the world as well as completely unlock the full potential of Deutsche Post DHL for the benefit of our customers, employees and investors,” CEO Appel said.
CFO Larry Rosen noted that maintaining sustainable financial stability and flexibility would remain a top priority as the company carries out its growth plans. To achieve this goal, an appropriate balance sheet structure will play a key role. This forms the core of the Group’s finance strategy that Rosen announced in March and explained in detail in front of investors and analysts today. In this connection, Rosen also reiterated the future dividend policy of Deutsche Post DHL: The company plans to pay out 40 to 60 percent of its net profit adjusted for positive as well as negative non-recurring effects.
