The week that was: 5 February 2012
Rounding up the top news stories of the week, as featured on Post&Parcel, with USPS having a hard time pushing through postal reform, India Post looking to modernise, UPS facing e-commerce changes, and a new postal minister for the UK…
US Postal Service plagued by reform delays
US lawmakers and regulators are not going easy on the struggling US Postal Service as its financial doomsday clock continues to tick.
This week we reported on the Postal Regulatory Commission’s refusal to speed up its review of USPS plans to dramatically reduce the size of its processing infrastructure. The review looks set to take until July at the earliest to give enough time for witness testimony.
And, hopes that the US Senate might have considered postal reform legislation this week were dashed. With opponents pushing for changes to the 21st Century Postal Service it is still expected to reach the Senate floor this month.
India holds postal policy round table
India’s Department of Posts held a round table meeting with stakeholders to discuss a new national postal policy.
Ministers discussed the need for India Post to continue modernising, with intentions for the new policy also including a reigning in of the private courier industry, potentially through a registration system and possible new service standards.
The new national postal policy also includes plans to set up a new national address database, potentially bringing in a new system of postcodes.
Record results for UPS, boosted by e-commerce
US parcel shipping giant UPS disclosed its fourth quarter results, revealing a record 2011 year.
Executives discussing the market with analysts commented on the major changes to the parcel market environment thanks to continuing high growth in Internet shopping.
With B2C volumes growing, the company is having to manage lighter-weight volumes, but appeared confident in its ability to adapt to market changes.
Norman Lamb appointed to lead privatisation of Royal Mail
This week saw Britain gaining a new postal affairs minister, who will be responsible for privatising Royal Mail and turning Post Office Ltd into a mutual organisation.
Norman Lamb was appointed after a cabinet reshuffle as Ed Davey was promoted to head up the nation’s Department of Energy.
The MP for North Norfolk is already familiar with postal issues having authored the Liberal Democrats’ postal policy while they were in opposition.
And finally…
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