DHL 1997 Annual Report Download - page 7

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Systematic orientation toward the customer
Current and anticipated future customer needs are guiding us in
our efforts to develop and refine our services offering. In respect to
Deutsche Post’s strategic positioning, internationalization is given high-
est priority. In 1997 we significantly expanded our business in Europe.
We installed our own parcel transport operations in the business-
to-business segment through acquisitions in Belgium, Poland and
Switzerland and through installing our own operation in Austria. By
expanding our physical network – through acquisition, participations
and cooperation agreements – we aim to become market leader in the
European parcel mail market.
Along with the ongoing improvement in our service quality and the
expansion of our product range, we improved our cost structures, partic-
ularly for personnel. By the end of 1997, mostly through attrition and
normal job turnover, we had reduced staff level by some 18,000 to about
267,000.
IPO in sight
Our strategic objectives are to increase Deutsche Post’s competi-
tive strengh, to secure a strong position in the global logistics market
and to maximize the value of the corporation, especially in view of the
IPO planned for the year 2000. In the pursuit of these objectives and for
mastering tasks and challenges ahead, we rely on the support and trust
of our customers. Our thanks for the exceptional result achieved in
1997 go above all to our employees who performed their task with
great dedication and made a vital contribution to the success of our
corporation.
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