In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

20% of firms using An Post alternatives

One in five companies are using other postal services providers in addition to An Post, according to a new survey by communications regulator ComReg.

The survey of 600 businesses found that the use of alternative providers is growing. In 2002, 92 per cent of companies used An Post only, with just 8 per cent using other providers. Within four years, this jumped to 20 per cent.

Financial services and manufacturing industries are most likely to use other suppliers. Speed, efficiency and reliability are the main motivators to using an alternative supplier. Cost savings is cited by only one in 10 as a motivator.

The vast majority who use only An Post feel it is unlikely that they will switch in the next 12 months. Companies with higher volumes of post with An Post are more likely to consider an alternative.

Nearly half expressed satisfaction with the postal service. Among the lowest satisfaction scores were the length of time An Post takes to deliver letters.

About 85 per cent of domestic post is business mail.

Packaging group buys two firms

Zeus Packaging Group, the industrial and retail packaging distributor founded by Cork entrepreneur Brian O'Sullivan, has acquired Coogan & Watts, a Belfast-based plastic packaging distributor, and Fillmore Packaging, a UK-based packaging distribution company, for a combined total of more than €10 million.

Online returns for company directors

Company directors are now able to file annual returns electronically through the Companies Registration Office's (CRO) website. Filing online costs €20 as opposed to €40 on paper, is faster and allows company directors and their filing agents to track the status of annual returns in the CRO, so they can be certain the documentation has been received on time.

Vodafone appoints chief executive

Charles Butterworth has been appointed chief executive of Vodafone Ireland. Mr Butterworth, who will succeed Teresa Elder, will take up his post on July 1st. He joined Vodafone as director of group corporate finance in May 2002 and in 2004 he was appointed group investor relations director.

Minco announces zinc, lead find

Exploration and development company Minco has said recent drilling at the Tobermalug prospect, part of the Pallas Green joint venture with Xstrata, has revealed a grade of 34.56 per cent combined zinc and lead, the highest grade intersection it has encountered at Pallas Green.