Author: Archive

UK cost of postage to be based on size and shape of mail

Posted by | Aug 18, 2005 | |

The cost of sending letters and parcels will be determined by the size and shape of an item as well as its weight, according to plans approved by the postal regulator Postcomm yesterday. The new pricing structure will increase the cost of sending lightweight but bulky items, such as photographic film, video tapes and large greeting cards, but will cut the postage on some heavier items, such as catalogues and books. The cost of sending a 480g box of chocolates, for example, will decrease from Pounds 1.78 to Pounds 1.59. But the charge for a 30cm by 38cm poster in a 300g cardboard tube will rise from Pounds 1.07 to Pounds 1.59. The system will be introduced in September 2006, following a multimillion pound marketing campaign, but will be revenue-neutral for Royal Mail. The national operator has been pushing for changes to make postal charges fairer and more reflective of the true cost of delivery to help it compete once the postal market opens to full competition next January. Lorna Clarkson, Royal Mail’s director of commercial policy and pricing, said: “This is a small but very welcome step in that direction.”

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Post Danmark recorded a profit after tax of DKK 539 million in the first half of 2005

Posted by | Aug 18, 2005 | |

Post Danmark recorded a profit after tax of DKK 539 million in the first half of 2005. This was a DKK 13 million higher profit than in the first half of 2004. Profit before tax was DKK 758 million against DKK 760 million in the first half of 2004. This is a satisfactory result in consideration of the fact that it was achieved in a period with declining letter volumes and stagnant revenue from letters, says Helge Israelsen, CEO of Post Danmark.

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Postcomm allows UK Royal Mail to price post by size as well as weight

Posted by | Aug 18, 2005 | |

Postcomm has today given Royal Mail the all-clear to charge postage according to the size of a letter or packet as well as its weight.

Royal Mail’s new Pricing in Proportion (PiP) price structure will be the greatest change in postal pricing since the introduction of the Penny Black. It will come into operation, at the earliest, in August 2006. Its introduction will mean some post will cost less to send than it does now but light-weight items that are also large or bulky will cost more.

Today’s announcement follows two years of extensive consultation by Postcomm and reflects substantially revised proposals from Royal Mail. In its most recent consultation, Postcomm proposed to allow Royal Mail to introduce the new charges from next April. After analysis of responses, this has been put back to August next year to allow postal users at least 12 months to prepare.

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UK DX postal chief quits after strategy row

Posted by | Aug 17, 2005 | |

The chief executive of the business-to-business postal group DX Services has resigned following what is understood to have been a disagreement about the group’s strategy ahead of the liberalisation of the British letters market at the beginning of next year. Peter Brougham, whose salary is pounds 243,000 a year, will stay on in his role until a successor is appointed. DX, which was founded in 1975, was demerged from its former parent, Hays plc, late last year when it was listed on the London market. Yesterday, DX’s chairman, John Maxwell, said: “Peter successfully demerged the business out of Hays, stabilised revenues and profits and established the business as an independent company. In accepting Peter’s notice, the board has the opportunity to review and agree the strategies for growth presented by the deregulating postal market.”

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UPS orders eight Boeing 747-400 freighters

Posted by | Aug 17, 2005 | |

As part of its on-going effort to accommodate strong international volume growth, UPS today announced a firm order for eight new Boeing 747-400 freighters from Boeing Co. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Deliveries of the 747-400’s will begin in June 2007 and run through 2008. UPS has selected General Electric to provide engines for the new aircraft. “These Boeing 747-400 freighters will allow UPS to smoothly increase capacity on its most important international ‘trunk’ routes connecting Asia, Europe and North America,” said Bob Lekites, UPS vice president of airline and international operations.

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Irish An Post to set up new banking service by January

Posted by | Aug 17, 2005 | |

An Post expects its new financial and banking service to be ready by January, with the new entity to offer bank accounts, savings products and insurance services. According to a new document circulated by the company, potential partners for the project will submit proposals to An Post on September 9th. Following evaluation, a partner will be selected in the autumn and a joint venture agreement will be concluded in January to set up the new service. An Post said its new “virtual bank” would operate through the post office network. This would represent its contribution to the joint venture, with the partner coming up with the products.

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Amtrak acquires Nightspeed

Posted by | Aug 16, 2005 | |

Amtrak Express Parcels Ltd has today announced that it has acquired the business and assets of Nightspeed Services Ltd for an undisclosed sum. Nightspeed has been experiencing financial difficulties in recent months and went into administration earlier today. Amtrak had been in discussion with Nightspeed as one of a number of acquisition targets and was able to move quickly to bring certainty to the company and over 900 staff.

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