Swiss Post is taking over MCM Direct Limited, a local mailing services provider with 32 employees based in the south of England.  This move will make it a direct provider of cross-border letter mail and press dispatch services from and to the United Kingdom for UK companies. Until now, the UK operations of the Swiss Post International Group unit have centred on the international shipping of large volumes. This latest acquisition is yet another example of Swiss Post International's commitment to pursuing its growth strategy.

Swiss Post International is taking over the whole Southampton-based national and international mailing company, MCM Direct Limited, with immediate effect.  MCM provides a range of postal services for local business customers in the Southampton region, involving the preparation, dispatch and delivery of mailings, catalogues and small goods. MCM is the region’s market and quality leader in this sector and a long-standing customer of Swiss Post International. In the last financial year, MCM generated sales of GBP 2.1 million (around CHF 3.3 million). All 32 employees, who share 17 full-time positions, will be taken on by Swiss Post International. The parties have agreed that the purchase amount will not be disclosed.

The UK’s postal market has been fully deregulated since 2006. To survive in the face of competition, postal operators need to offer their customers both national and international shipping services. Business customers of MCM can now enjoy the full service range offered by Swiss Post International in cross-border letter and goods shipping.

Swiss Post International has been operating in the UK since 1997, offering mailing providers international shipping services for large volumes. Following the acquisition of MCM, it can now directly offer UK companies dispatch services for direct marketing, newspapers and magazines, small goods and business correspondence, making it a retail service provider in the United Kingdom.

Swiss Post driving its strategy for growth

With the acquisition of MCM, Swiss Post is continuing to pursue its strategy of growth in foreign markets outside the basic service, in line with the strategic objectives outlined for Swiss Post by the Federal Council. Swiss Post currently generates almost 20 percent of its sales abroad and in its cross-border business. Swiss Post International is a Group unit of Swiss Post, employing around 1,300 people in Europe, Asia and the USA. In 2009, Swiss Post International generated profits of CHF 53 million from sales of CHF 1,028 million. Swiss Post International is currently the number three national postal company in the world in the international letter business.