Business Direct Share Discussion Threads

[granny7] 25/3/2008 13:08

DATE: 10th March 2008


Itella, the leading Express and Parcels business in Finland, is the first company to provide consumers with 'ParcelXchange', a fully automated parcel terminal, developed by Business Direct, the UK's leading logistics provider of intelligent drop-box network solutions.


The first of Finland's new network of 'ParcelXchanges' is sited in a busy shopping centre, and is being tested in cooperation with the 'distance selling and mail order' market leader in Finland, Hobby Hall, (a division of the Stockman Retail Group) and its customers' in Itäkeskus, East Helsinki.

The new ParcelXchange in a shopping centre in Helsinki, Finland



The new ParcelXchange installation and fast collection service has generated both high levels of interest and great number of users.

Finnish TV broadcast of the new ParcelXchange service

Customer focussed, Itella researched customers' and consumer requirements for delivery options in the distance selling market and quickly identified customer demand for greater levels of convenience and flexibility, to collect parcels and accept their deliveries whenever, and wherever they require and in the shortest time possible. The 'ParcelXchange' with its leading edge 'SoftLocker' IT and ATM style technology, was identified as the 'delivery solution of the future' and the way forward for the 'unattended delivery solutions'. The 'ParcelXchange' technology and its' capabilities, ensure that Itella remain at the forefront of logistic service solutions, whilst fulfilling their customers needs', identified in recent research. (Itella, CEP-Research).

Typically, an automatic parcel terminal has 50-100 parcel lockers, the size of which can be altered according to demand. The customer receives an SMS informing them of their parcel delivery, the location of the locker and the code with which the locker in the automated parcel terminal can be opened. The safety and usability of the terminal's interface corresponds to that of an automatic teller machine and the terminals are usually located along consumers' daily routes, for example in shopping centres and at traffic junctions.

Aku Happo, Director of Itella's Express and Parcel Business explained "As a market leader of parcel and postal services in Finland, we want to constantly develop our services, not only to meet current, but also to support future demand. We have identified that the affects, for example, in the growth in online shopping, changes in consumers' shopping behaviour and a pressing pace of life has indicated that our customers have expressed their desire for new and flexible ways to receive parcels.
He goes on to say, "In the future, consumers can choose to pick up a parcel from an automated parcel terminal, on the way to their place of work at a time that suits them, even at night if they wish, or they can still use our other more traditional service options such as picking up from the post office; or delivery to their home or place of work.

From a commercial view point, the modular nature of 'ParcelXchange', also provides Itella with 'flexibility and capability' to up-scale the system by increasing the number of columns or size of the boxes at a location, or by simply adding to the number of network exchange sites in the field as demand rises in the future, therefore optimising the commercial aspects and maximising the cost effectiveness of the 'ParcelXchange' network option." Happo continued.

Tim Houstoun, Managing Director of Business Direct's Global Licensing division said, "I went to the shopping centre in Helsinki to meet with Aku Happo during the installation and pilot of the exchange, the level of interest raised by the public and number of enquiries, just while I was there certainly confirmed the results of their research, in that there was definitely a demand for this type of delivery solution in Finland. We very much look forward to working with Itella in the future on other areas of their 'network solution' requirements."

[granny7] 18/3/2008 10:49

12.5% rise in the bid on no trades! Someone must be looking to buy a few and they are short.

[granny7] 14/3/2008 14:05

Bit of buying at below mid price,as usual not the advertised spread.

[granny7] 14/3/2008 10:41

Some one buy's a few of these and they just raise the offer to make a 40% spread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dibbs] 12/3/2008 23:32

topdoc,

My thoughts exactly. Dilution by way of any further fundraising would be massive at these levels. The chances of BDG creating shareholder value is minimal IMO. Classic failing AIM company in my opinion, the only way BDG shareprice will hit 10p again is if they consolidate 100 shares for 1 in the future!

[topdoc] 12/3/2008 09:39

x5jwa if you have direct access to MR PC can you just check if they are going bust and if they have enough cash to keep the business going. If you look at the RNS they have done the same thing every year. Profitability and break even is just round the corner and then sorry better luck next time. As you so rightly said it is nothing but a bloody gamble.

[joe say] 11/3/2008 14:24

Good point funky - Closed period

[granny7] 11/3/2008 14:09

As Tim got large blinker's or a lot of faith in BDG turning around and making a faster profit than the RNS suggest's?

[funkyceo] 11/3/2008 13:54

Joe of course it is, unfortuantly for us all it doesn't happen over night. If this company was already making 10% ebit no doubt the share price would be upwards £0.25

I'm guessing Directors will also be in a closed period until end of year results are out next month so couldn't buy now if they wanted too. Tim Houstoun did buy only a couple of months ago

[joe say] 11/3/2008 12:32

But interestingly even at this bargain price, the directors keep their cash in their pockets - hate to go out drinking with this lot !

[x5jwa] 11/3/2008 11:46

Administrators won't be called in they have got loan facilitys they haven't even used yet

[topdoc] 11/3/2008 10:48

How much longer before administrators called in.

[joe say] 11/3/2008 07:49

Funky CEO - Isn't the idea to make profits from one's investments ?

[topdoc] 11/3/2008 07:47

Not doing much for the sp

[funkyceo] 11/3/2008 07:06

Cougar6 - do you actually invest in any AIM companies?

Things are still on the move with BDG, ParcelXchange now in Finland!

[x5jwa] 10/3/2008 20:11

The company was left in a right mess by its last board so it is going to take carvell a wile to sort it out.Paul has a lot of faith in this co and so do I If you give him a call im sure he will explane his game plan to you.
The shares are cheep now so get some money on it. regards jon

[cougar6] 10/3/2008 12:37

Who would want to buy it ??? could be free soon

[cougar6] 10/3/2008 12:35

Who would want to buy any part of this loss making company ???

[topdoc] 10/3/2008 12:31

Is this company going bust.

[cougar6] 10/3/2008 12:30

This one looks dead, all this sector are coming in with losses do they have the money to ride out the down turn !!!!

[x5jwa] 29/2/2008 10:08

YOU HAVE TO CUT OUT THE BAD BITS OF A COMPANY BEFORE YOU CAN MAKE IT GOOD, I NO IT CAN BE PAINFULL AT FIRST BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT IN THE END. CARVELL HAS ONLY BEEN THERE A YEAR GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO PUT IT RIGHT

[tara7] 28/2/2008 15:00

Today, punters are also buying, why, when we have been told no profit for 2 years.To me one of two things , a bid, or parcel exc sell off, or even large orders just about due.

[8trader] 27/2/2008 22:27

I thought they were quite generous letting people get out at 1.5p today.

Why bother to post at all tara, one can clearly see when you are in or
out of a stock.

[tara7] 27/2/2008 13:00

MM have been lifting price on levl 2 all morning, buyers are around, bid in a few days time must be on the cards