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• WPS has linked up with a major new European
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parcels venture which has backing from Air France, the French Post Office and one of France's largest express carriers TAT.
The three French giants, which call themselves Sodexi, have launched a new parcels service called Mach +. The service is based on Air France's scheduled international flights, Collection and delivery work will be undertaken by national parcel operators in each participating European country.
WPS will control the UK operation — Britain is the first country, outside France, to offer Mach +. Belgium and Germany are expected to follow soon.
WPS says the move "makes us as big as many other parcels operators in the UK". The firm now has access to a hub in Paris, 130 Air France flights and a computer tracking system. Mack + liveried vehicles should also soon be appearing on UK roads.
The venture will boost the parcel firm's expansion drive in the UK. The Midlands-based company has more than 70 franchises around the UK and expects to add a further 25 sites by the end of the year.
WPS is also considering putting more freight on internal flights in the UK. It already has an agreement with Ryan Air for Irish operations.