The week that was: 16 March 2012
Rounding up the week’s top stories on the pages of Post&Parcel, including the latest on the TNT Express-UPS deal, the US Postal Service in Congress, and digital mail in Australia…
UPS says “constructive” talks still ongoing over TNT Express offer
UPS confirmed that talks with TNT Express were still underway with regard to a possible takeover.
The US parcel giant issued a statement, complying with Dutch financial market rules requiring it to clarify its intentions within three months of making an offer. It stated that it does intend to submit an offer for its European rival to regulators for approval.
It said: “In line with regulatory requirements, UPS express it still has the intention to submit a request for approval of its offer document to the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets within 12 weeks from its initial announcement of February 17.”
Full Senate hearing for postal reform bill “within weeks”
Hopes are growing that some kind of progress within the US Senate regarding critical postal reforms could come within the next few weeks.
Senate Bill 1789 – the 21st Century Postal Service Act – passed out of committee last November, seeking to reform healthcare and pension funding at the US Postal Service, and assist restructuring, to restore its financial sustainability in the light of drastically reduced mail volumes. It has since stalled on its way to a hearing in front of the full Senate.
In recent weeks, negotiations over the bill have been extended as Congressman lobbied to prevent mail processing facility closures, but Senate Leader Harry Reid said this week: “I think the only way we are going to get the postal reform bill done is by bringing it to the floor.”
US firm to start up digital mail service in Australia
US digital mail company Zumbox has joined two Australian companies to launch a new joint venture to establish a digital postal system in Australia.
The company said today that its alliance with Computershare Ltd and Salmat will mean a “unique” private utility being set up to provide secure electronic mail delivery and archiving for every household in Australia.
The new venture is called Digital Post Australia, and the plan is for the service to start up by the end of the year.
