An Post, the Irish Postal Service, acquires UK based mail company

5 July 2002

Air Business provides a range of specialist solutions to the publishing, direct marketing and print industries. Part of its activity is the delivery of time-sensitive publications to readers across the world.

Air Business is based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire convenient to Heathrow, Stansted and Luton airports. In 2001 it had a turnover of almost £11m sterling and employs just over 100 staff at St Albans and Colchester.

Founded in 1986, its main services include international and domestic mailing and distribution, mail-house and data processing together with warehousing and fulfilment. Amongst the well known publications handled by Air Business are Lloyd's List, The Spectator and the New Statesman.

This acquisition will give An Post access to added skills in the mail preparation business and to international networks catering for urgent deliveries of mail and publications.

John Hynes, Group Chief Executive of An Post said “International mail is of vital importance to An Post as 28% of our mail revenue is international. It is a growth business.

“Ownership of Air Business which is a well managed, growing and profitable company providing a range of value added mail services, will provide us with new skills which are essential to the future growth and prosperity of the An Post Group,” he added.

Paul Rowland, Managing Director of Air Business said “The combination of An Post and Air Business will produce a new dynamic which will be of enormous benefit to customers and employees in both companies.”

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