The Story of Koninklijke TNT Post

In the Netherlands, a postal service with a rich history has been serving the community for over two centuries. Founded in 1795, the company has undergone significant transformations over the years.

The company's early years were marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions, laying the groundwork for its future growth. Its first major expansion came in 1852, when it began offering postal services to the Dutch colonies in the Caribbean.

The company's name, Koninklijke TNT Post, reflects its long history of serving the Dutch royal family.

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In January 1997, KPN, the government-owned postal monopoly in the Netherlands, purchased Australian-based TNT Limited after completing a friendly takeover.

The takeover marked the beginning of a significant transformation for the company, which would go on to shed its non-core activities outside of mail, express, and logistics.

TNT's non-core activities, including Ansett Worldwide Aviation Service and the Komatsu Forklift business, were sold to various companies, such as Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and Toll Holdings.

In June 1998, KPN merged its PTT Post division to form the TNT Post Group (TPG), which was listed on the Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and New York stock exchanges.

The TPG was a major player in the European express market, and its European Express Centre at Liège Airport in Belgium was opened in April 1998.

In October 1998, an international road hub was opened in Duiven, Netherlands, further expanding the company's logistics capabilities.

TNT acquired French company Jet Services in December 1998, marking another significant milestone in its growth and expansion.

By April 2005, TNT Post Group had been rebranded as TNT, a name that would become synonymous with express delivery and logistics.

TNT continued to expand its operations, acquiring Hoau, China's private freight and parcels delivery firm, in March 2007.

However, in November 2006, TNT sold its logistics division to Apollo Global Management, which was later rebranded CEVA Logistics.

The separation of TNT's express business from its logistics division was completed in May 2011, with TNT Express floating on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

Peter Bakker, who had been CEO of TNT since 2001, stepped down at the end of May 2011, marking the end of an era for the company.

Harry Koorstra took over as CEO of PostNL, but his tenure was short-lived, and he resigned in April 2012 after conflicts with the supervisory board.

Herna Verhagen became the new CEO of PostNL in 2012, bringing a fresh perspective to the company's leadership.

In 2013, PostNL announced a major restructuring plan, which included eliminating Monday deliveries, cutting the number of post boxes in half, and reducing the number of post offices from 2,500 to 1,000.

The company also reduced the number of mail processing locations from 260 to 145 between 2012 and 2013, a significant effort to reduce costs and adapt to declining volumes.

Koninklijke TNT Post has a significant international presence, with operations in over 200 countries and territories around the world.

The company's international reach allows it to offer a wide range of services, including express parcel delivery, mail services, and logistics solutions.

TNT Post's global network enables it to connect customers with their international partners and suppliers, facilitating global trade and commerce.

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TNT Post has a strong presence in Europe, with a significant presence in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.

In Asia, TNT Post has a major hub in Singapore, which serves as a key gateway for international trade between Asia and Europe.

TNT Post has also made significant investments in emerging markets, including China and Brazil, to tap into growing demand for logistics and delivery services.

By leveraging its global network and expertise, TNT Post is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of international customers.