FAN Courier estimates a 29% turnover increase for 2016

FAN Courier, expects to end the year with an advance in turnover of 29%, declared the company in a press release.

In a market estimated to pass the threshold of 400 million euros from 385 million euros in 2015, the leader of the courier sector in Romania has allocated for 2016 a budget of 18 million Euros for investments to modernize its fleet, to open a regional hub in Brasov and modernize the Bucharest hub.

"2016 was a year full of surprises, which began in January-February with volumes as large as in November-December of the previous year, well above the average of the year. We work with all industries that registered increases, but it is already known that in the past two to three years, e-commerce had the highest growth rate. We want, and we expect, that in 2017 the turnover to maintain its organic growth," said Felix Pătrăşcanu, co-founder of FAN Courier.

FAN Courier invested in 2016, 18 million euros, almost 50% more than in 2015, the main areas to which they were directed funds being fleet - 12 million euro, the completion of the HUB in Brasov and redevelopment of the hubs in Bucharest - 4 million, EUR -350 000 personal training, IT and software. In 2017 remain priority investments in fleet, real estate, information technology and other investments.

Lack of staff even unskilled, was one of the main challenges of the year, not just for FAN Courier, but for the entire market.

"For the HUB inBrasov, we had to think of a scheme of recruitment and transportation of people from neighboring villages. In the western part of the country we have faced a very difficult labor market. This involution of the labor market was superimposed on an increase that exceeded the forecasted evolution and an infrastructure that remains one of the biggest problems of all runners," said Adrian Mihai, one of the three founders of FAN Courier.

The explosion of e-commerce market has produced significant changes in the share and clients mix using courier services. Thus, the total volume of shipments for distribution currently represents up to 47% B2C deliveries , up to 50% B2B and C2C is 3%. An important change, say representatives of the company has also been observed regarding consumer behavior.

"Customers have a greater degree of understanding. Having the experience of the last 4-5 years when things did not work properly, they not have not expected that in the busy periods to get parcels delivered in the same terms as in off-season periods. That means, in my view, a greater degree of understanding. I have communicated more with customers and sales teams where we established clear working procedures for peak moments like Black Friday," said Neculai Mihai, founding shareholder of FAN Courier.

Expanding services internationally also remain a priority in 2017. "Our customers enter new markets in neighboring countries and we develop together delivery services, seeking o expand our transport networks to reach many destinations faster and more efficiently in terms of costs, "added Felix Pătrăşcanu.