Author: Archive

DX Group acquires the In-night and PX worldwide licensing operations of Business Direct (UK)

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

DX Group Ltd announced its acquisition of the trade and assets of the following operations from Business Direct Limited and Business Direct Group plc:

In-Night – a national infrastructure to provide secure parcel logistics, primarily supporting field based engineers, through:
– The Parcel Exchange (“PX”) – a nationwide “virtual depot” network of over 4,000 fully automated intelligent drop boxes
– In-Boot – collection and deliveries direct to a field engineer’s vehicle
– PUDO – Pick Up Drop Off, the collection and return of spare parts via manned third party locations

PX Worldwide Licensing – the licensing of the PX technology to interested parties.

For DX, the acquisition of these operations represents the opportunity to:
– become a leading player in the adjacent service management market
– develop the services available to In-Night customers from the integration of aspects of the these operations with existing DX operations
– use the secure PX network to extend the services we offer to existing DX Group customers
– market the PX concept internationally via licensing arrangements
– develop the emerging potential for extending the PX concept to service the rapidly expanding B2C market

Terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

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Empost Cargo and Logistics expects 20 pct growth this year

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

On February 2007 Empost – UAE’s national courier company – diversified to create a subsidiary division for cargo and logistics in order to offer integrated transport and logistics services covering more than 200 destinations.

The new entity, Empost Cargo and Logistics, has specialised infrastructure and operates out of dedicated locations, with its hub at one of the most important locations for the logistics sector – the Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza) Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza).

Sultan Al Midfa, CEO of Empost, spoke to Emirates Business about the performance of the company’s logistics division.

How has the performance of Empost Cargo and Logistics been since its establishment last year? Have you managed to meet your expectations?
Yes, we have met all expectations – our own and those of the market. Initially, we were known as a courier company. Since we established the cargo division, we have emerged as the leading express courier, cargo and logistics company in the UAE and the region. We have become a ‘one-stop shop’ in the local market.

What services did you start with, and which ones have you added so far?
To cater to the booming logistics and supply chain industry in the Middle East, Empost launched its cargo and logistics services in 2007. We started with freight forwarding (air and sea), land transportation, warehousing and packing services. Then we added wooden packing services to our list, providing value-added services to our clients.

We plan to open new offices at the Logistics City, and in Jebel Ali and Sharjah, as well as other countries.

Our total investment last year was 24 per cent of our capital and for this year, investment expectation is 12 per cent of our capital.

According to your 2007 financial report, Empost Cargo and Logistics achieved a 31-per cent growth over 2006. What are the reasons for this? Did you expect it?
We have achieved more than we expected. The cargo and logistics sector in the UAE is booming, because of various development projects that have attracted numerous local as well as foreign investors.

What kind of business model are you following? Is it any different from that of the other 3PL companies in the region?
We have our own growth strategy, which is constantly reviewed and enhanced to help us tap further opportunities. We have a simple, straightforward strategy to help us maintain our position as the market leader and offer quality service at a reasonable price.
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How big is your footprint in the region and globally? How do you see this increasing in the next two years?
Empost has been in the market for more than 10 years, and we have excellent alliances with well-known regional and global companies that are known for quality service.

Over the next two years there will be a lot of new projects implemented to help us serve various communities, especially, the UAE, India, Philippines and Indonesia.
Empost has tied up with major government institutions, banks and corporations. Currently we are working on plans of extending our services into new destinations and assessing new products and services that are targeted at niche markets.

How do you leverage the services and facilities of your parent company, Emirates Post , to effectively run the business?

Emirate Post has a well-established network of its own, and because we come under the same group, we are able to tap into some of the resources of Emirates Post to help us deliver high quality service to our customers. As a one-stop shop, we offer our customers a variety of services, which include cargo, courier or any other service.

How much growth is Empost Cargo and Logistics expecting this year and in the coming year, in terms of revenue and operation size?

We are expecting about 20 per cent growth this year. However, the division will continue to greatly contribute in the overall performance of Empost. Currently, the cargo and logistics division contributes about 30 per cen

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DHL Japan showcases its flair for fashion

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

DHL will be the first logistics company to lend its support to the Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo as the event’s official courier. The 7th annual Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo is being held from September 1-7 at Tokyo Midtown.

DHL Japan staff and services are being mobilized to meet the international express transport needs of the 40 designers taking part in Japan’s leading fashion event this year. In addition, DHL Japan will offer document and cargo transport services for designers participating in the event for the first time that seek to transact business with overseas buyers as well as for designers that will be showing overseas collections.

In addition to Japan Fashion Week TOKYO, DHL has forged an official partnership agreement with IMG Fashion Week under which it supports a variety of overseas fashion events in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific and other markets.

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CipherLab selected by Brazilian Post and Telegraph Corporation

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

CipherLab, an Automated Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) for the retail, warehouse, healthcare, government and distribution markets, recently announced that its 9400 Industrial Mobile Computer will be deployed throughout the 3,000+ regional branches of the Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telegrafos (Brazilian Post and Telegraph Corporation, or ECT), the national postal service of Brazil. Compex Tecnologia, CipherLab’s official reseller in Brazil, won the contract to upgrade ECT’s logistics infrastructure to improve shipment accuracy and efficiency.

Operated by the Ministry of Communications, ECT is Brazil’s largest employer with approximately 110,000 employees. In Q4 2008, Compex Tecnologia will begin to deploy up to 4,000 units of the CipherLab 9400 across 28 regions within the ECT, helping it to more accurately process, sort and track the millions of pieces of daily mail delivered by its couriers.

The CipherLab 9400 supports Microsoft Windows CE 5.0, and is designed to simplify the tasks of those working in the retail, logistics, warehouse, transportation and field sales/services industries. It leads the industry in impact standards — an important consideration for the warehouse or field use environment.

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GeoPost sells Chronopost subsidiary Taxicolis to Flash Europe International

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

GeoPost has announced the sale of Taxicolis, a Chronopost subsidiary, to express operator Flash Europe International. This sale is part of GeoPost’s strategy to focus on its core competence of express parcel delivery.

Taxicolis, which employs around 250 people, specialises in personal delivery of express shipments as well as high-value health and breakable products within France. In 2007, it recorded total revenues of EUR 66 million.

Flash Europe International, present in 10 countries, has been providing express transport services, especially for the industry sectors such as automotive, health and banking and IT services, for about 25 years.

The new group is positioning itself as a European leader for urgent transportation with revenues of EUR 110 million, 320 employees in 10 different countries and operating capacity in 80 countries worldwide.

The acquisition would give Taxicolis a unique opportunity to establish itself on the European market in the sectors of healthcare and public services, La Poste said in a statement.

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DHL opens service centre in Budaiya (Bahrain)

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

DHL Express officially opened a new service point located on Budaiya Highway.

Situated in a predominantly residential area, the new retail outlet will offer residential and business customers convenience, accessibility and a user-friendly range of services.

This is the fourth DHL outlet in Bahrain, complementing the other service points located in Al Moayyed Tower in Seef, Umm Al Hassam and Muharraq.

Incorporating DHL’s easy-to-use international express services with simplified offers for customers, the latest outlet provides customers with service in a convenient location.

Core services on offer include DHL Express 9 and DHL Express 12 for more urgent deliveries, along with the standard end-of-day, DHL Express Worldwide.

In addition, for imports from around the world, customers can use DHL Import Express, and recently introduced, DHL Economy Select is a new option for less urgent, heavier shipments.

The new service point on Budaiya Highway is located in the retail cluster that includes Marina Trading, and operates seven days a week from 9am to 8pm.

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Finland still lagging behind in consumer e-invoicing

Posted by | Sep 1, 2008 | |

Finland has yet to make any headway with regard to switching to the e-invoicing of consumers, even though we are already one of the international leaders in business-to-business e-invoicing. According to an extensive Itella Information survey, Denmark holds the lead in both consumer and business e-invoicing. The survey was conducted in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany during the spring of 2008. Consumer interviews were used to investigate over 3,300 people¡¦s experiences of e-invoicing. More than 1,600 people were interviewed with regard to business-to-business invoicing.
According to the survey, consumers in the Nordic countries and Germany around 7 to 8 per person monthly.ƒ{receive roughly the same number of invoices Hard copy is still the most common invoice format, with the exception of Denmark. In all of the countries, however, hard copies¡¦ share of all invoices has decreased since 2006.
Denmark is in a class of its own with regard to e-invoicing. Only 32 per cent of Danish people nowadays report that they receive their invoices primarily in hard copy format. In the other countries around 75 per cent of consumers receive their invoices primarily in hard copy format. The Danes receive their e-invoices through both the online bank and invoice issuers¡¦ websites or invoice and e-commerce portals.
The Finns and Danes exhibit contrasting conduct with regard to payment, too. In Finland, online banking is commonly used for payments, while few invoices are received there. Danes commonly receive reminders of their due invoices through an online bank, but favour direct debiting.
In Finland, almost 80 per cent of large companies plan on sending the majority of their invoices in electronic format within 2 to 3 years. Among SMEs, Finnish ones are the most eager to make the switch to e-invoicing. Some 78 per cent of Finnish SMEs believe that they will be solely or partially using e-invoicing within the following 2 to 3 years.
– According to our survey, almost all businesses and organisations intend to make the switch to e-invoicing in the forthcoming years. The only exception is Germany, in which only 65 per cent are considering this. The underlying reason for Finnish businesses¡¦ enthusiasm for e-invoicing is the desire to achieve time and cost savings through this invoicing method, Savolainen states.
According to the survey, Finnish SMEs will be switching to e-invoicing in a more pronounced fashion than elsewhere.

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CWU breaks new ground by launching its own TV channel (UK)

Posted by | Aug 31, 2008 | |

The CWU (Communication Workers Union) sets a precedent in trade union communications on Sunday 31st August, with the broadcast of its own channel entitled CWU TV on Sky Digital channel 167 and Freesat channel 406.

The 30 minute programmes, presented by Emma Howard, ex-BBC news
presenter, cover a range of news, features and opinion in fresh and
fast magazine style. The first programme focuses on pensions, the
liberalisation of the postal service and the union’s youth movement.
Billy Hayes, general secretary, is also interviewed in-depth and offers
the CWU’s perspectives on the importance of trade unionism in a
changing world and less certain economic climate.

With CWU TV the union is putting TV at the heart of an integrated
communications strategy that informs and engages the membership and
encourages them to give their feedback and get involved. Information TV
allows the CWU to broadcast unmediated public service content on the
trusted, regulated medium of television.

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