Private Box News

Wellington-based business Private Box is reporting a major increase in business over the past three months, while other companies nationwide lay off staff and international firms shut down local branches.

This recession has been fantastic for us, says director Steven Morey. Many businesses have recognised we can be part of a cost-cutting solution in these tough times. It's our business to supply companies and individuals with a New Zealand presence without the high costs generally associated with that.

Established in 2005, Private Box acts as a virtual post office. Clients rent space in a PO Box, which is cleared daily; clients are also given a physical address to use as their own. When mail is delivered to either the PO Box or physical address the client is made aware via an email alert and can then log on to check what they have received; making this service accessible from a computer with an internet connection, anywhere in the world.

The key here is that when the PO Box and street address are used together, it provides our clients with the presence they need in New Zealand, explains Steven. Couriers also appreciate the fact that they can deliver packages to the physical address we provide, since they don't deliver to PO Boxes.

This new electronic post system is proving to be popular for other reasons too. Ease of use, accessibility, convenience and low cost are among the many benefits. And it's environmentally friendly to boot; clients can choose to have letters scanned into the system and sent to them electronically, while the original is shredded and recycled.

Private Box doesn't cater just to business clients. Others who use their service include travelers and immigrants who need an address here in New Zealand and people wanting a more secure, confidential mail system because they are unhappy or concerned about having their mail delivered to their suburban letterbox. Woman's Refuge has just come on board. The twenty thousand woman and children who use their service each year are able to have an undisclosed address where they can receive important legal documents.

While our most recent surge in business has been from the corporate sector, we cater for most situations, says Steven. From the outset we've striven to be flexible, innovative and forward thinking, and fortunately for us, that's now paying off.


Footer: About Private Box Ltd

Private Box Ltd uses the internet to provide access to physical mail. Our customers are given a central address (or addresses) for the delivery of their snail mail and once any letters/documents/packages are received, we send them an email alert. Then they can log-on to our virtual post office and check what they've received.