Le Groupe La Poste Acquires ORIUM

PARIS--(Marketwire - Sep 11, 2012) - Le Groupe La Poste, with proven expertise in the e-commerce value chain, has just announced their acquisition of ORIUM, e-fulfillment specialist. The acquisition will further increase the strength of Le Groupe La Poste and their already existing logistics subsidiary NEOLOG by offering clients a wider range of solutions.

Le Groupe La Poste, an established leader in the e-commerce value chain, is specialized in website development, online and offline sales development, payment solutions, stock management, order preparation, delivery solutions and international development in direct marketing, transport and international parcel delivery. NEOLOG, the logistics branch of Le Groupe La Poste since 2007, offers a wide range of e-commerce services with over 5,000 daily deliveries.

Founded in 2004, ORIUM is committed to providing logistics and fulfillment services that diversify sales channels. The group accompanies clients in their international expansion with fulfillment sites across France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UK. ORIUM differentiates itself by offering cross-channel strategy for order fulfillment, shipping and transport, and call center services. ORIUMS' clients include Nespresso, Smartbox, Wanimo, Nuxe, Pierre Fabre, Marie Claire, Orange Maine and Sojeans.

Thanks to the acquisition of ORIUM, Le Groupe La Poste expands its range of products and services for e-tailers, retailers and brands. These e-commerce logistics determine the quality of receipts, order preparation lead time, and terms and conditions of return or exchange of products, all of which impact purchase decisions.

By joining resources, NEOLOG and ORIUM now offer a unique network of 18 European warehouse and distribution centers, a powerful IT system (Reflex WMS), a European contact centre, extensive transport solutions and an organization which can be adapted to suit the needs of every type of client.

Stephanie Sentis, President of NEOLOG and ORIUM, shares, "This agreement will pave the way for numerous traditional retailers hoping to access the potential of the Internet with a trusted provider capable of implementing B2B and B2C logistics with the same level of performance and expertise. Our industrial tool allows us to adapt the profiles of our clients, from SMEs to large retailers."

Oliver Moreau, founder and Managing Director of ORIUM, emphasizes, "The e-commerce market is a response to a customer focused culture, for which logistics providers aren't always prepared. Le Groupe La Poste is the natural leader and will be able to support innovation for retailers and e-tailers. This agreement will allow us to continue our development strategy with a truly international network."

About Le Groupe La Poste
A 100% publicly funded corporation since 01/03/2010, La Poste SA is an original model of a multi-business group structured around four core business areas: Courrier (Mail), Colis/Express (Parcel/Express), La Banque Postale (banking) and Enseigne La Poste (Post branches). Every year, the 170,000 La Poste branches welcome 45 million individual clients and 3.5 million business clients. La Poste has decided to make mail its core business in the customer relationship, offering the best paper, digital and proximity to all its clients. They place an emphasis on their high-performing industrial tools, advanced technologies, innovative services and their network of postmen, readily available professionals and trusted third parties. In 2011, Le Groupe La Poste published a turnover of 21.3 million Euros and has more than 268,000 employees. Looking to 2015, Le Groupe La Poste aims to become the European leader in postal and financial services. Aiming constantly towards innovation, Le Groupe La Poste puts a daily focus on developing services and products which will make the lives of clients and employees easier. Faithful to its values and its public service missions, strengthening the relationships with the postmen, Le Groupe La Poste strives to be the example of a modern public service.

About ORIUM
Founded in 2004, ORIUM specializes in international e-logistics. In 2005, ORIUM defined e-logistics as the ability of the service provider to offer a full range of services through the entire e-commerce experience. ORIUM combines the experience of e-commerce logistics with traditional supply chain, customer relations and transport. Since it was founded, ORIUM has accompanied numerous companies in their online development, in France and Europe, whether they are pure players or retailers, industry or brands using e-commerce as a key to their cross channel development. ORIUM has 9 European fulfillment sites and has 200 employees.