Postal Digest – News from Itella, Russian Post, Lithuania Post, P&T
More news from around the postal world, including Russian Post talks with USPS, P&T Luxembourg’s data investment, and Itella joins a diversity network…
Russian-US talks aim to improve parcel transfers
Russian Post and the US Postal Service have held talks aimed at improving the delivery of US parcels to Russia.
The United States is the largest source of foreign parcels entering Russia, with a 36% share of inbound volumes, particularly thanks to the popularity of US websites among Russian consumers.
Russian Post said last week it had agreed to work with USPS to improve the shipping of parcels to Russia, particularly regarding the issue of parcels swamping its Moscow international mail centre by shipping parcels direct to other regional international mail centres.
P&T Luxembourg ups stake in data firm
Luxembourg’s national postal service P&T has increased its investment in the confidential data company Victor Buck Services S.A.
VBS was founded in 2000, specialising in confidential paper and electronic distribution of data for the financial industry in Europe and Asia. The company had a EUR 31.5m turnover in 2011, with 162 staff members. P&T said it had taken its stake from 41% to 90%, seeing VBA’s activities as a “key component” of its future interests.
Claude Strasser, the P&T CEO, said: “The lines of business of P&T and VBS are highly complementary. Our increased shareholding in VBS is part of P&T’s strategy to integrate more fully the services offered by the parent company and its subsidiary – encompassing P&T Group’s approach.”
Lithuania Post boosts electronic customs submissions
Lithuania Post has seen a surge in the number of international shipments having customs information sent ahead of time thanks to a new online data submissions system.
The Post said the number of declared items has shot up from 8% to 25% since the beginning of the year because of the customs declaration system on its website. The system also allows shippers to keep tabs on the customs status of their shipment.
Customs declarations can also be sent by fax, email or presented in person at the Mail Distribution Department in Vilnius. Robertas Gudavičius, Lithuania Post’s director of postal operations, said: “These are encouraging results, and are rapidly improving.”
Itella joins workplace diversity programme
Itella Finland has joined 17 other companies in Finland to launch a new diversity network, which aims to help businesses take advantage of a diverse workforce.
The Finnish Diversity Network supports equal opportunities hiring policies among its members, encourages diversity best practice and helps businesses to work with people of different age, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion and capability levels.
Itella said its business offered one of the most multicultural workplaces in Finland. “Diversity can be an asset for us, but managing a diverse workplace requires new skills and new tools. For us, it is natural to be part of this network of pioneers,” said Hanna Kaustia, the Itella environmental and corporate responsibility director.
