bpost delivers a strong end-of-year to 2021

Driven by a successful end-of-year peak execution in Belgium and in North America, bpost reported a group operating income of close to €1.3 billion, up 8.8% on the same period last year.

Group adjusted EBIT was up almost 46% at €88.1 million.

Total operating income for the Mail & Retail sector was down 0.9% at €521.5 million –with a positive mail price impact offsetting an underlying volume decline of 8.9%.

Total operating income for the Parcels & Logistics Europe & Asia business was down 9.4% at €286.7 million, due to the ongoing pressure on Asian cross-border volumes and a Parcels B2X volume decline of 7.5%.

For the Parcels & Logistics North America business, total operating income excluding International mail was up more than 28% at €547.5 million, which bpost said reflected the contribution of Radial’s new customers.

Dirk Tirez, CEO of bpost group, said: “With the strong results of the 4th quarter, bpost has delivered on its promise with a full-year EBIT of 349.3 mEUR and strong end of year peak results, both financially and operationally. I would like to thank all my colleagues for their efforts during 2021 and during our successful end of year peak in particular.”

Tirez continued: “Even though we will face strong headwinds, these solid results also give me confidence that we are taking the right actions in 2022 – transform in Belgium, build a leading e-commerce logistics position in Europe, scale-up e-commerce logistics in the US and evolve into a more customer centric and sustainable organisation. We have gathered a strong leadership team that together will execute on our plans and ambitions.“

Summarising its management priorities for 2022, bpost said it will be looking to improve operational efficiency and productivity within the Belgian organisation and “initiate transformation into long-term sustainable business”. More specifically, it will be looking to grow the Belgian e-commerce top line “through dedicated hunting teams as well as specific key service improvements to increase volume from major clients”.

The group will be looking to build its Eurasian e-logistics, through the new Radial and Active Ants sites and expanding cross-border business in the EU and the UK.

For North America, the group will be pursuing an accelerated growth plan with new Radial fulfillment centres and client centres, as well as further expansion at Landmark Global and Apple Express.