Whistl adds two directors to push international growth

Whistl is sharpening its focus on international business by appointing two new senior members of staff and has flagged up the government's controversial EU Referendum leaflet as proof of the power of print.

Nick Frazer has joined the Buckinghamshire-headquartered downstream access provider as carrier development director and Paul Smith as international sales director.

Frazer has worked in the international arena for more than 25 years for firms including Spring UK, Deutsche Post UK, Swiss Post International and Asendia.

Smith has spent his career in international distribution with high-street fashion clients of firms including DHL Express and Geopost, developing overseas services for Interlink and DPD.

Whistl chief executive Nick Wells said that Frazer and Smith came with broad experience in the international inbound and outbound delivery market.

“This year is an exciting time for Whistl with major investment and focus on our international and parcel delivery service," he said.

“We have an established track record in the UK downstream access market and are seeing an explosion in the use of online retail.

“A number of current and potential UK and international clients have asked us to look at how we can support their outbound and inbound packet and parcel volumes.

“In addition we are seeing an expansion of international door-drop media campaigns and through our international operations we can support the needs of customers both in the UK and abroad.”

Whistl, formerly TNT Post, handles 3.8 billion items a year and provides mail, packets and parcels and door-drop media services in the UK and international markets.

The company underwent an MBO in late 2015 from PostNL, which retained a 17.5% shareholding. Based in Marlow, Bucks, its revenues are in excess of £600m a year.

In February it announced a slew of client wins and renewals, including one contract with Opus Trust Marketing for 37 million items per year and one with Dixons Carphone Warehouse for 20 million items per year.  

On the overall market Wells said: “Print continues to play a key role in the communications tool box – look at the discussion around the EU referendum leaflet.

“We are seeing increased spend on DM and door-drop because it is valued by marketers and a cornerstone for integrated campaigns.

“Even with declining transactional mail volumes we are seeing an increasing use of printed promotional materials that work in conjunction with the digital arena.”

He said expectations for this year included increased focus on developing its partnership approach with customers to add value to their businesses.

“We are now in a position to meet all their needs whether it is with mail, door-drop media or packets and parcels in the UK or abroad.”