Economic Affairs Deputy Minister approves combination of PostNL and Sandd postal networks
The Hague, the Netherlands, 27 September 2019 – Mona Keijzer, the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, today approved the merger of the PostNL and Sandd postal networks, paving the way for the full completion of the transaction between PostNL and Sandd.
The combination of both postal networks is necessary to ensure continuity. As a result, postal services throughout the Netherlands will continue to be reliable, accessible and affordable, while also benefiting the job security of thousands of mail deliverers.
Approval was granted under Article 47 of Dutch competition law, following a special request to this effect by PostNL and Sandd on 6 September. The Deputy Minister has taken the decision based on a broader consideration of social interests.
Approval is subject to conditions aimed at safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders:
Access
Postal operators that currently use the Sandd network will be offered a transitional scheme for access to the PostNL network.
Return
A maximum return of 9% will be imposed on the core activities of the mail business, with the maximum return on the universal postal service capped at 9%. Furthermore, PostNL will continue its moderate price policies of the past few years.
Workforce
PostNL will offer jobs to all Sandd mail deliverers. For all other Sandd employees, opportunities within PostNL or alternatives will be considered. A social plan for all Sandd employees has been drawn up in close consultation with the Sandd works council. PostNL will also honour current collaboration with sheltered workplace companies and the consolidation will not therefore affect their employees who face challenges in the labour market.
PostNL and Sandd expect to complete the transaction in the near future, and more details on the integration of the postal networks and the financial consequences will be provided then.
Additional information
This press release contains inside information within the meaning of article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.
Forward-looking statements
Some statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements”. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may occur in the future. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are outside of PostNL’s control and impossible to predict, and that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, analyses and projections about the industries in which PostNL operates and management's beliefs and assumptions about possible future events. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only valid as of the date of this press release and are neither predictions nor guarantees of possible future events or circumstances. PostNL does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities law.
About PostNL
We are PostNL, here for everyone, bringing it all together for 225 years. With an extensive network of nearly 5,700 PostNL points, 10,000 letterboxes, and around 1,100 automated parcel lockers, also open to various carriers, along with millions of users of the PostNL app, we're always close by. We aim to be everyone's favourite deliverer by making it as easy as possible to send and receive parcels and mail. With over 32,000 colleagues working with us, we are part of society. On an average weekday, we deliver 1.2 million parcels and 6.3 million letters.
We optimise and support our physical networks through the use of smart digital solutions and introduce new propositions that add value for our customers. And aim for sustainable employment relationships by being a good employer to all people working with and for us. We focus on sustainability, making many journeys on foot and by bicycle, increasingly using cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, and offering innovative city logistics. PostNL N.V. is a publicly traded company with a turnover of €3.3 billion in 2024.