The week that was: 21 October, 2011
Round up the biggest stories of the last seven days on Post&Parcel, including news of postal rates in Germany, the US and UK, and launch of a new rival to UPS and FedEx…
Postal giants reveal plans for 2012 postal rates
Deutsche Post and the US Postal Service both revealed plans for next year’s postal rates this week.
Deutsche Post looks set to maintain domestic postal rates in Germany at current levels next year, following proposals by the country’s postal regulator to set a tight price cap for 2012.
The US Postal Service will increase postal rates for most mail services from January 2012, but sticking on average to its 2.1% inflation-based price cap, while awaiting moves in Congress that could ultimately allow a bigger hike in prices.
UK’s Yodel to close 45 parcel depots
Parcel carrier Yodel, which last year took over DHL’s domestic operations in the UK, announced its intention to close 45 of its depots.
It wants to integrate its operations into a single operating platform, that “will enable the company to operate profitably” while offering “faster, more flexible delivery options and higher standards of convenience”.
Closures of the depots are expected to take place after the Christmas volume peak, at some point during the first quarter of 2012.
Royal Mail to set own postal rates
The UK’s new postal regulator, Ofcom, proposed giving Royal Mail the freedom to set its own postal rates for the majority of its products, including First Class letters and basic parcels.
The proposals were within a new seven-year regulatory framework now out for public consultation, and include a cap on Second Class stamps of between 45p and 55p per piece.
Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene said the Ofgem proposals were “a significant step towards securing a sound and sustainable Universal Service. The proposals are timely, too, as radical action is needed now given the ongoing decline in volumes and revenues and the inability to cover the costs of our Universal Service.”
US firm launches shipping service to take on UPS and FedEx
A major new parcel shipping alternative to FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service launched in the United States, geared specifically to small and medium-sized shippers.
EquaShip has been put together by a team of former UPS, Amazon and DHL veterans making use of third-party logistics and transport partners led by Minnesota-based Blue Package, Inc.
The new shipping services are being rolled out over the next three weeks across the United States – starting today on the East Coast, up to November 8 in West Coast areas. Customers will be able to sign up for shipping services, to be “activated” when pick-up or drop-off facilities are available in their area.
