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     Courier Industry [Key Points | Financial Year '02 | Prospects]
  • The domestic courier industry is estimated to be worth around US$ 430 m. The industry is highly fragmented, with a large number of unorganised players. There are more than 2,000 courier companies operating in the country of which hardly 25 companies from the organised sector. However, the organised sector accounts for more than 60% of the total revenues.

  • The growth in the courier industry is directly linked to the economic scenario and the trade scenario of the country. However, off late the financial services industry is contributing considerably to the growth in the courier industry.

  • The courier industry could be bifurcated into document and non-document business. While document business is high margin, there is a limitation to growth. Whereas in the non-document business, competition is relatively less with only large organised players in a position to offer reach and superior service through use of technology.

  • The key risk for the express industry is the sensitivity of the sector to Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and other fuel prices. The cost of fuel typically constitutes about 12-18% of the total operating cost depending upon the network composition The sector is dependent on land and air networks.

     Key Points
    Supply

    There is a saturation of players in the lower end of the markets. However, there are few niche players in high value added segments like Logistics management.

    Demand

    The demand is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15-20% over the next few years.

    Barriers to entry

    Infrastructure, technology, well entrenched distribution networks and strong brand. However, in lower un-organised segment the entry barriers are marginal.

    Bargaining power of suppliers

    Relatively low

    Bargaining power of customers

    High

    Competition

    High, the industry is very fragmented with more than 2000 players.

     Financial Year '02
  • Both the leading courier companies in India viz, Blue Dart and Elbee Services reported a lackluster performance for FY02 on the back of sluggish industrial and consumer demand. This was inspite of the fact that ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) prices, which account for a major chunk of expenses where revised downwards. Both the expenses recorded a drop in operating margins.

  • The industry continued to focus on shifting its portfolio towards more value added services. Technology and infrastructure investments continued. Banking and Finance sector continued to be the key growth driver for the courier industry.

  • Consolidation phase already seem to have started in the domestic courier industry. Organized players in the industry are on the prowl to capture the market share of the unorganized sector. Blue Dart acquired two small regional logistics company during the year to consolidate its position in the South India.

     Prospects
  • With the increasing penetration of Internet and other communication devices and competition from un-organised players, the document business has witnessed a reduction in margins in the last three years. Whereas the non-document business is relatively less competitive as it requires players with deep pockets. Within the non-document business, 'low weight' parcels are most profitable.

  • Big express companies have tie-ups with global courier majors for the international business. Blue Dart has a tie-up with FedEx whereas Elbee has tie-ups with UPS and TNT. In the international business, companies normally operate on cost plus basis and hence the margins are not lucrative. While domestic business is more profitable for companies with good infrastructure backing. Both the express majors viz. Blue Dart (38% market share) and Elbee (20% market share) are thus consciously concentrating on the domestic business.

  • The industry demands huge investments in technology and infrastructure to provide value added services through product innovations. E-tracking and tracing of parcels on a real time basis, bar coding for security purposes has become a norm in the industry. Companies are also implementing the hub and spoke model to minimize time to delivery.

  • Logistics Management is emerging as one of the fastest growing segments in the express industry. As more and more companies stress on Just-in-time (JIT) requirements to prune inventory costs, supply chain management is increasingly outsourced. Hence, express companies with requisite investments in infrastructure and technology have huge opportunity to cash in on third party logistics management.

  • The courier industry as a whole is expected to grow at a rate of 15-20% over next three years. While volumes in the non-document business are expected to grow by 25-30% every year, document business is likely to witness single digit growth rate in volumes. Express companies will have to manage their revenue mix extremely well to maximize returns.

  • The un-organized segment of the industry is expected to feel a pinch in the coming years due to low pricing and marginal entry barriers. The industry would witness a consolidation, as established players would leverage their infrastructure and distribution network to grab a larger share of the pie.

  • With opening of the Indian economy, some international players have evinced interest in setting up base in India. However, it is expected that these global majors would concentrate more on the international business and tie-up with leading players in the country to penetrate the domestic market.

    [Key Points | Financial Year '02 | Prospects]