Investments in technology are key to the success of the postal sector

Climate change, challenges in the labor market, growing market trends, geopolitical instability and the rapid development of new technologies will shape the postal and logistics sector in the years to come. Although these challenges are significant and long-term, we see them as an opportunity due to the long tradition of our industry. 

Advanced technology, automation and artificial intelligence enable us to successfully keep up with the increased growth of e-commerce and changes in shopping habits that predict parcel business and logistics as future sources of income for the postal sector. The data validates this - this year we will deliver approximately 16 million packages, which is one million more than in 2023. As the market leader, we will continue to develop and expand partnerships with domestic and global companies due to the fact that the post office is already a key link in the growth of e-commerce in Croatia. 

With growth in the number of packages, distribution centers have become an important link for improving the quality of service. For this reason, we will take a huge step in the direction of logistics services with an investment in a new high-rack warehouse and machines for automatic sorting of small packages. We will be the first on the domestic market to offer the service of a fully automated system for the automatic ordering of goods and thus expand the range of logistics services we offer to our partners and business users. We are aware of the great potential for growth and will therefore  separate logistics services from Croatian Post under the new daughter company Post Logistik to make full use of it. 

Technology is also important in terms of transforming our business into a sustainable and green one. Sustainable business is one of the fundamental pillars of our corporate strategy until 2030. We have confirmed this commitment with specific measures such as the largest fleet of electric vehicles in Croatia, our own network of filling stations and energy-efficient business facilities. Last year alone, our postmen covered five million green kilometers, saving more than 870 tons of CO2. 

Despite all the benefits it brings to our business, technology must not replace people but serve as a tool in the fulfillment of our company's goals. The workforce is essential for the fulfillment of our company's strategy, and the turnover of workers is therefore a great test of the flexibility and speed of adaptation of employers. For the domestic economy, the workforce issue will be a key challenge next year as well, and it is up to employers to do everything in order to retain existing workers and attract new ones. This is why we are proud that Croatian Post will increase the salary of operational workers by 20 percent next year. Last year alone, the salary of all workers was increased by 25 percent, while in 2022, the increase for operational workers was 20 percent. 

Satisfied employees are a key prerequisite for satisfied customers, and a company like Croatian Post, which is present in all parts of the country, will continue to nurture the social aspect of its business and its role in the local community. Next year, in cooperation with the state government, we are converting post offices into unique administrative areas where users in 800 locations across Croatia will be able to do all the administrative work for which they usually had to visit various governmental offices and often travel to larger cities. This will enable all citizens, especially those from less populated and rural areas, to use state services in their own towns. 

We need to look at crises and global challenges that affect our society with a cool head and detect opportunities for growth, adaptation and the acquisition of new experiences that will ultimately make us stronger. At the same time, we must not forget our influence in the community and the opportunity to set a positive example as a socially responsible business. Challenges must not prevent us from fulfilling our vision, but serve as an incentive to strengthen our resilience, as we thereby contribute to the advancement of our economy.