EANS-Adhoc: Valora Holding AG Valora Services to enhance its market presence
and extend its logistics offering
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide
distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Valora Services to enhance its market presence and extend its logistics offering
05.12.2011
Valora Services to enhance its market presence and extend its logistics offering
- Exploiting Valora´s clear competitive advantages in start-of-day logistics and
mail order packages
- Services successfully inaugurated in August 2011 with an initial 6,000
packages per day, positive results from pilot test with La Redoute
- Continuing profitable expansion of logistics services to compensate for press
market decline in the years ahead
Exploiting Valora´s clear competitive advantages in start-of-day logistics and
mail order packages
As part of its "Valora 4 Success" efficiency strategy, the Group has achieved
recurring annual cost savings of more than CHF 11 million in its Swiss logistics
operations. The streamlined logistics network structure with its centrally
located hub in Egerkingen and the introduction of new systems using
internet-based track and trace technology have significantly enhanced the
capacity of Valora´s daily 7 a.m. deliveries to the more than 8,000 retail
outlets which have signed up for this service so far. From now on, Valora´s
logistics services will also be exploiting the synergies created by the 650-plus
pick up/drop off points the Group operates for mail order packages at its k
kiosk and P&B outlets. Growing demand for start-of-day logistics and mail order
package services are thus increasing consumer awareness of Valora´s logistics
services and making them more appealing to customers. Valora will build on this
by operating the unit under its own marketing brand from early 2012. This new
logistics initiative is a key element in the Group´s "Valora 4 Growth" strategy
for its Services division.
Services successfully inaugurated in August 2011 with an initial 6,000 packages
per day, positive results from pilot test with La Redoute
Following the successful launch of start-of-day package logistics services for
the 21 suppliers forming the Optics Swiss Suppliers´ Association, which serves a
total of 1,200 opticians in Switzerland, Valora has secured further logistics
mandates for 2012 during the 4th quarter of this year. The outstanding
performance of this service, which enables Valora to deliver packages early in
the morning throughout Switzerland via its existing press and merchandise
distribution routes, has rapidly earned high levels of customer satisfaction.
The pilot test carried out for the mail order firm La Redoute, which initially
offered drop off facilities for returned packages at 50 Valora outlets and whose
coverage has now been extended to more than 650 sites, will be extended further
and both Heine and Jelmoli, Switzerland´s two leading mail order retailers, will
now also offer this service to their customers. In addition to the availability
of a geographically dense network, k kiosk and P&B customers also benefit from
long opening hours, a high degree of reliability and attractive prices set at
less than CHF 4.00 per package, so that the service is not only extremely useful
but also offers significant cost-savings to consumers.
Continuing profitable expansion of logistics services to compensate for press
market decline in the years ahead
Having analysed the market in detail and held discussions with potential
business partners, Valora expects to generate some CHF 2 - 3 million per year in
additional cost-coverage revenues by expanding its start-of-day package delivery
logistics service. Management expects a figure of some CHF 3 million in 2012.
Thanks to the closely knit press distribution and outlet network Valora already
operates, the firm can provide these additional services by optimising its use
of existing capacity without significant additional investment in its logistics
infrastructure. This will make a substantial contribution to offsetting the
general decline in press sales. Stefan Gächter will manage the new logistics
unit as part of the Group´s Services division and be tasked with successfully
positioning the new unit in the market. As Thomas Vollmoeller, the Valora
Group´s CEO, puts it, "Demand for this service has increased substantially in
recent months. Collaboration with our existing customers demonstrates that
Valora´s Swiss logistics operations are increasingly taking on the role of a
solutions provider for medium-sized and international companies that do not
operate a logistics infrastructure of their own in Switzerland. This new
nationwide service can generate additional operating profits of some CHF 10
million by 2015."
Further inquiry note:
Investor Relations: Tel: +41 58 789 12 20
Mladen Tomic E-Mail: mladen.tomic@valora.com
Media Relations: Tel: +41 58 789 12 01
Stefania Misteli E-Mail: stefania.misteli@valora.com
end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
issuer: Valora Holding AG
Hofackerstrasse 40
CH-4132 Muttenz
phone: +41 61 467 20 20
FAX: +41 58 789 12 12
mail: info@valora.com
WWW: www.valora.com
sector: Retail
ISIN: CH0002088976
indexes:
stockmarkets: stock market: BX Berne eXchange, Main Standard: SIX Swiss Exchange
language: English