Publisher May Branch Into Postal Business

The Axel Springer publishing giant may begin competing with Germany's post office, Deutsche Post, in the mail-delivery business. The publisher is currently looking into relevant business possibilities, a Springer spokesman told news agencies on Friday. Springer is looking to use its current structures to generate future business, including mailing and post, the spokesman said. However, he refused to confirm reports that the company was planning to take a stake in EP Europost, a planned joint venture of the Dutch postal service and the package and logistics arm of the Otto catalog company. "There are considerations and talks going on with several partners, including Europost," he said. However, no deals are currently ready to be signed.