Published 2015-05-11

Launching “Helthjem” distribution network

The distribution partnership between Norway’s three biggest media groups consolidated under one name is set to challenge established logistics companies.

Schibsted Media Group, Amedia and Polaris are consolidating their nationwide distribution network under the name of Helthjem. The network has access to most of Norway’s households and can offer attractive services in home delivery of newspapers, magazines books and small packages.

“The move to gather everything under one name, Helthjem, is a strategic one, made to draw larger volumes to the distribution network and to compensate for declining volumes from traditional newspaper distribution. We’re focusing heavily on the fast-growing market for home delivery of packages,” says Cathrine Laksfoss, CEO of Schibsted Distribusjon.

Mediapost, which is owned by Amedia and Schibsted Norge, channels business to the network by offering distribution services for magazines, books and packages. The company already has many customers in the package delivery market. Mediapost AS is changing its name to Helthjem Mediapost AS as part of the new strategy. “Gathering the distribution network under the common name of Helthjem will strengthen the service. We operate an integrated network covering the whole country. The fact that we provide home deliveries six or seven days a week before people leave home for work gives us a key competitive advantage,” says Laksfoss.

Helthjem delivers magazines, books and small packages along with the morning newspapers. The network currently comprises 5,500 couriers and performs 2 million deliveries daily.

“Helthjem is a secure, high-quality provider with which our customers are very satisfied,” says Jørn Frydenlund, Board Chair in Helthjem Mediapost AS and Marketing Director in Amedia Trykk og Distribusjon.

“The media groups possess unique knowledge and experience when it comes to distributing newspapers and making home deliveries. We represent 250 years of history which we are constantly developing and adapting, and which we will take with us moving forward. The world is undergoing a digital shift that entails an increasing need for physical products to be delivered to consumers. New services will ensure that we have more legs to stand on,” he adds.

The partners in the Helthjem distribution network hold leading positions in digital developments. Among other things, the unique digital delivery technology used by the whole network makes it possible to provide a tracking service all the way to the recipient.

“Gathering the 27 distribution companies under one name gives us far more weight and enables us to offer an integrated, nationwide network that can take care of deliveries to our customers efficiently and to a high standard,” says Haakon Onstad in Polaris Distribusjon.  

The Government has proposed a new postal services act based on EU requirements. New regulation of Norway Post will create opportunities for new businesses in the postal services sector in Norway. The draft legislation is current undergoing consultation.

For more information, contact:

Per Iversen, CEO of Helthjem Mediapost AS, telephone +47 908 57 146, e-mail: pi@helthjem.no