Swedish logistics group PostNord sees its growth continue, driven by e-commerce. In the final quarter of 2019, it delivered more than 50 million parcels. Compared to 2018, B2C volumes increased by 10% for the full year. The improvement in income over the full year was, above all, the result of efficiency improvements and favourable growth in prices.
PostNord published its 2019 year-end report, revealing the company saw a strong improvement in income last year, totalling over 50 million euro (541 million kronor). Results show that the logistics company is meeting the challenges of increased digitalisation. Mail volumes decline and, therefore, the letter business has been transformed. In Denmark, letter volumes decreased by 75% over the past ten-year period. Staffin in this department has been reduced, both in Denmark and Sweden.
Ths e-commerce markets continue to be a factor of growth in the logistics business. In the fourth quarter of 2019, PostNord delivered just over 50 million parcels (+6% compared to the same quarter in 2018). The company highlights that it focuses on consumer needs and customer growth successfully. Last year, the company invested approximately 132 million euros in parcel terminals, sorting machines, vehicles and digital development.
Despite an increase of parcel volumes, PostNord Sweden was able to reduce its emissions. This partly due through a sharp reduction in transportation by air in the mail business. Emissions from the operations of Strålfors were reduced considerably. However, it was not possible to reduce emissions from other companies, as a result of volume increases. PostNord has an objective to reduce the total volume of carbon dioxide emissions from the group by 40% by the end of 2020, from the level prevailing in 2009. The final result at the year-end 2019 was a reduction of 36%.
