18/11/2004

Royal Mail finances show massive turnaround

The Royal Mail has achieved a precise turnaround in its financial fortunes, instead of losing £1 million a day, it is now earning £1 million a day, according to its latest figures.

The financial u-turn was revealed today when the company published figures for the first half of 2004-05 showing it had made a profit of £217 million – it is now on target to achieve a £400 million profit for the full year. Prior to its resurgence, the company had recorded losses of more than £1.7 billion in two years.

Royal Mail said that the turnaround had been achieved alongside operational changes that are "providing the basis for consistent, long-term, high-quality customer service". The company also hit 14 of its 15 service performance targets – an improvement on the seven target met from July to September.

It also emerged today that Parcelforce Worldwide’s income was up, and its losses halved.

Also published today, the latest quality of service report found that 92.1% of First Class letters arrived the day after posting during July to September – which was among the best performances in a decade and almost four points better that the 88.3% achieved in April to June 2004. Second Class mail performance in the second quarter was 98.6%, above the 98.5% target level.

Royal Mail’s chairman, Allan Leighton, said: “No one should doubt or under-estimate the scale of task we have tackled. We are delivering a massive modernisation programme, restoring profitability and driving up service to customers. Royal Mail is being transformed.

“Recently, there have been few plaudits for postmen and women but I believe they can take pride in the progress achieved since Royal Mail’s three-year renewal plan was launched 2½ years ago.

“The focus on achieving consistent, high quality service – Royal Mail’s number one priority – is showing positive results."

Adam Crozier, Chief Executive, stressed that the operational changes to introduce a single daily delivery, streamline the transport operation and improve efficiency at mail centres were now "almost complete".

Mr Crozier said: “Although we still have some way to go, I’m pleased that in the second quarter of the year, there have been significant improvements across the range of our products with significant service improvements for both large and small businesses, and for individual consumers."

(gmcg/sp)

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