The week that was: 25 February 2011
New Zealand Post suspends operations, FedEx extends early morning offerings, and report urges USPS digital investment… Good afternoon from Post&Parcel HQ! Here is the latest installment of ‘the week that was’, to keep you up-to-date with the latest news from the industry. It’s the perfect way to finish off your week.
New Zealand Post suspended mail services in Christchurch after Tuesday’s earthquake caused havoc throughout the city and surrounding areas. The 6.3 magnitude quake struck the area at 12.51pm local time. In light of the tragedy, all New Zealand Post and Express Couriers operations in the vicinity will remain suspended until Monday when a further review will take place. A statement issued by the operator said: “Our sympathy and thoughts are with everyone affected by the earthquake. The welfare of our staff is paramount and we are continuing the process of assessing whether they and their families are okay and providing assistance.” The suspension includes Christchurch Mail Centre processing operations; postal and courier deliveries; and PostShop stores and box lobbies. New Zealand Post said it will conduct structural audits on its PostShop stores, which will only be opened once they have been passed safe. Service resumption at franchised stores will be decided by the franchise operator, the company said. New Zealand Post CEO Brian Roche said: “We have decided to continue the suspension of operations at this time so we can fully assess the safety and wellbeing of our staff and their families, support staff personally affected by this terrible disaster and check the structural integrity of our premises.” A statement on Australia Post’s website said there will be likely delays to mail deliveries.
FedEx Express is extending its delivery service options for customers in the United States, including more early morning delivery options. FedEx Express is extending its delivery service options for customers in the US, including more early morning delivery options. The company announced yesterday that it is launching a FedEx First Overnight Freight service that will allow items weighing 151lbs or more to reach most areas in the US by 9am. It is also launching a FedEx 2Day A.M. service that will over deliveries by 10.30am on a two-day delivery schedule to most areas in the US, and will also be available for return shipments. The new services start February 28. From that date, FedEx will also be expanding its existing FedEx First Overnight and FedEx International First services to offer shipment of most dangerous goods types. This will include shipments inbound to the US from Canada, Europe and Latin America. “FedEx Express continues to enhance its portfolio, adding new, relevant services to meet customer needs,” said T. Michael Glenn, president and CEO, FedEx Corporate Services. “Customer service is a top priority at FedEx and we are committed to providing an industry-leading suite of shipping options.”
The US Postal Service should invest to position itself as a “de facto national service provider” at the heart of digital communications in the United States, according to a new report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The first in a series of reports from the OIG’s Risk Analysis Research Center on how the USPS should be engaging with an increasingly digital US population, the study says the USPS actually has a major advantage over private corporations in pursuing online opportunities. While private sector companies may be more agile and innovative in internet technology, the USPS has the key advantage of already being a “trusted intermediary” in the US, it states. The public would see the Postal Service as providing an agenda-free, neutral platform offering a service at the lowest possible price and for the greater good, the report suggests. While the OIG held back from setting out a digital communications strategy for the USPS – with promises that it will follow in subsequent work – it does highlight a number of key gaps in the current digital landscape which the USPS could be in a position to bridge. The report echoes this month’s GAO report in calling for the USPS to be more open to ideas from outside in how to do this. Working with other government agencies and private sector partners, the OIG study concludes that the Postal Service could create “game-changing” services. “The ability to learn from and work across the private and public sectors is crucial for the Postal Service to continue to be a ‘platform provider’, bridging the physical and digital worlds and closing the gaps that are currently preventing a fully digital economy,” the report states.
And finally…
Applications for the World Mail Awards 2011 close on Monday evening – so don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a winner! Click here for more details.
