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USPS delivers record-breaking performance (U.S)

Posted by | Jul 24, 2008 | |

National on-time performance scores for the delivery of First-Class Mail set another new record for highest level of service during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008.
National overnight delivery service climbed a full percentage point from the previous fiscal quarter, reaching an average of 97 percent on-time delivery, the highest score ever achieved by Postal Service employees.
In fact, delivery service performance reached record highs for all three categories of mail the Postal Service tracks:
• Overnight service was 97 percent on-time, up from 96 percent the same period last year.
• Two-day service was 95 percent on-time, up from 93 percent the same period last year.
• Three-day service was 94 percent on-time, up from 91 percent the same period last year.
The third quarter covers April, May and June 2008.
Since 1990, the Postal Service has contracted with an outside entity to measure First-Class Mail service performance independently and objectively.
First-Class Mail performance is measured by IBM Global Business Services. The review measures First-Class Mail from the time it is deposited into a collection box or lobby mail chute until it is delivered to a home or business.
Thirteen of the Postal Service’s 80 districts lead the nation with a 98 percent on-time score for overnight delivery. They are: Northern Virginia, Arkansas, North Florida, Big Sky (the state of Montana), Baltimore, Fort Worth, Suncoast (western central Florida from Tampa/St. Petersburg to Ft. Myers), Dakotas, Greater South Carolina, Mid-Carolinas, Mid-America (northwest Missouri to the south, central and southeastern Missouri, and eastern Kansas), Portland and Central Plains (Nebraska, southwest Iowa, and the majority of Kansas).

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The postal sector joins forces to manage its carbon footprint

Posted by | Jul 24, 2008 | |

PostEurop, a Restricted Union representing 48 European public postal operators, has teamed up with the UPU Sustainable Development Project Group to share the results of the work carried out within the framework of its greenhouse gas reduction programme.

A joint technical committee will be formed and tasked with establishing a series of measures to cut the CO2 emissions of the sector as a whole. This agreement between PostEurop and the UPU marks a milestone for the two organizations and fits within the broader framework of the partnership agreement for a more environmentally friendly postal sector concluded between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UPU in April 2008.

PostEurop’s Environment Working Group, which has launched a greenhouse gas reduction programme providing for a 10 pct reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2012, will share its best practices and initiatives in the areas of transport, building, product development and operator procurement policy. This agreement provides a basis for the actions of the technical committee.

Pierre MAWAS, Chairman of PostEurop’s Environment Working Group said: “A recognized CO2 measurement protocol is the first step of any effective carbon management policy. We strongly believe that collaboration on that level will show the commitment of the postal sector as a whole to take a common approach and integrate sustainability in the future of the business.”

Daniel LE GOFF, Stakeholder Relations Coordinator at the UPU, added: “Such a collaboration increases our chances of success in setting up the right carbon management programme for the postal sector as a whole. It also means that such important work can be carried out faster and more efficiently.”

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Numonyx to use DHL facility as distribution hub

Posted by | Jul 24, 2008 | |

DHL International has signed a deal with Numonyx, suppliers of non-volatile memory chips, to distribute its products, Business Times Singapore reports.

Numonyx will make Singapore its global finished good distribution hub, using DHL’s 18,000 sq ft Bedok North Global Distribution Centre for all inbound and outbound goods distribution.

A large number of Numonyx’s customers, suppliers and plants are located in Asia.

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Inflation likely to make Brazil increase rates by half a point

Posted by | Jul 24, 2008 | |

Brazil’s central bank was expected to raise the country’s core interest rate by at least 0.5 percentage points last night as inflationary pressure has spread across the economy, adding to demands for pay rises especially among public sector workers.
A survey of market economists by Bloomberg, the financial news service, found that most expected a 0.5 point increase in the so-called Selic target overnight rate. If confirmed, it would be the third half-point increase since the bank began raising rates in April after three years of monetary loosening.
However, many economists expect a 0.75 point increase, detecting a more hawkish tone in recent comments by Henrique Meir-elles, president of the central bank, along with a broadening and quickening of inflationary pressures.
Mr Meirelles told the Financial Times recently that inflation was the greatest threat to the Brazilian and global economies and called on other central bankers to concentrate more attention on inflation than on the risk of recession. He has since spoken of the need to “act vigorously” to keep inflation in check.
Consumer price inflation was running at an annual rate of more than 6 per cent in the 12 months to June, above the government’s core target of 4.5 per cent. Most economists expect it to reach 6.5 per cent by the end of the year, the upper limit of the government’s target range.
More pressure on consumer inflation is expected to come from quickly rising prices in the wholesale sector and from imported goods.
Rising inflation expectations are also having an impact on wage negotiations. This week, the government stepped in to end a three-week strike by postal workers, conceding a number of demands that had been rejected by management, including a 30 per cent pay rise to compensate for the dangers faced by workers making street deliveries and a one-off bonus.
Workers at Petrobras, the government-owned oil company, went on strike last week for more pay and are expected to resume industrial action next month.
In his interview with the FT, Mr Meirelles said: “There is significant pressure for pay increases among public sector workers and evidently we are very concerned about that because these are permanent expenses.”
Recent comments by Mr Meirelles and other ministers have indicated a recognition that monetary policy alone cannot overcome inflationary pressures and that there is a need for tighter fiscal policy to curb overall demand by cutting government spending. But the government’s budget proposal sent to Congress this week proposes increases rather than reductions in public spending.

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USPS explores options for ‘Green’ delivery fleet

Posted by | Jul 23, 2008 | |

The U.S. Postal Service plans to identify new, more environmentally friendly vehicle technologies that are less dependent on petroleum-based fuel sources to replace the 195,000 neighborhood delivery vehicles of its total 220,000 vehicles. The announcement came during a ceremony in which General Motors presented a Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle to the Postal Service for testing in a mail-delivery environment.
“We are looking for a vehicle that operates from a fuel source that reduces—or eliminates—our dependence on petroleum products, that is good for the environment, good for our customers and good for the Postal Service,” said Walter O’Tormey, vice president, Engineering, as he accepted the keys to the Equinox Fuel Cell that will be tested in Irvine, CA.
Moving forward with non-petroleum fueled vehicles is more important to the Postal Service than ever, O’Tormey said, since a one-cent increase in a gallon of fuel adds USD 8 million annually to Postal Service expenses. Fuel costs last year were USD 1.7 billion and are expected to increase this year by USD 600 million.
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine and is unique in that the fuel cell emits only water vapor which doesn’t harm the environment. Hydrogen’s greatest advantage as a fuel is that it can be made in many ways using both traditional and renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass energy.
The Postal Service leads the federal government in the number of alternate fuel vehicles it uses. More than 43,000 can operate on hybrid-electric, electric, compressed natural gas, liquid propane gas, ethanol (E-85), biodiesel and hydrogen fuel cell.

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24th Universal Postal Congress opens for business in Geneva

Posted by | Jul 23, 2008 | |

The Honourable Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, officially opened the 24th Universal Postal Congress. The UPU is indeed giving the Congress a special African flavour because Kenya was unable to host the event owing to the unrest in the country at the beginning of this year.

Moreover, the UPU gives particular priority to the development of the postal sector in developing countries, especially in Africa, and this issue will be at the heart of numerous discussions during the Congress. In spite of great progress in developing the single postal territory since the creation of the UPU 134 years ago, there remain great differences between industrialized and developing countries in terms of quality of service, postal reform and the adoption of new technologies, declared Mr. Mudavadi, speaking before 1,500 delegates, among them about 70 ministers.

The Secretary General of the United Nations reminded delegates that postal services were universal, connecting people the world over. “The UPU makes a valuable contribution in many different areas, including migration and fund transfers, transport and trade, education and literacy, sustainable development, health and security, and standards to ensure compatibility and interconnectivity… Across the world, Posts provide a natural gateway to the information society,” declared Ban Ki-moon, in a message relayed by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva.

A Universal Postal Union more open to the world and to its environment is today welcoming a “united world postal community,” said Edouard Dayan, UPU Director General and Secretary General of Congress. “The postal sector is increasingly seen as not only driving economic development, but also offering countries a new possibility of access to the world economy by enabling them to join a universal network.”

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Interim Report for January-June 2008: Increased Costs, Reduced Profitability

Posted by | Jul 23, 2008 | |

– Itella Group’s consolidated net sales for January–June totalled EUR 923.5 million, up by 8.5 per cent. The share of international operations was 29 per cent.
– Consolidated operating profit for January–June totalled EUR 43.9 million, down 33.1 per cent year-on-year. EBIT margin fell to 4.8 per cent. Profitability was especially reduced by the sharp increase in labour expenses and increased fuel costs.
– With regard to Itella Information’s early-year company acquisitions, the Polish subsidiary began operations in May, and the joint venture with Norway Post in June.
– In April, Itella Logistics entered into an agreement concerning the acquisition of Russia’s leading provider of warehouse services, NLC (National Logistic Company). Official permissions required for the acquisition have been received, and the transaction will be concluded in August.

Jukka Alho, President & CEO of Itella:

“The economic downtrend did not affect the demand for Itella services in Finland, but road freight volumes in Denmark and the Baltic region turned down. Demand for logistics services remained strong in Russia. Against the European trend, letter mail delivery volumes increased by 3 per cent in Finland, while newspaper deliveries decreased by 3 per cent.

The increases in volume and prices could not compensate for the sharp increases in fuel and salary costs, leading to a reduced profit. However, the profit performance met expectations. The tight situation caused by increased costs is expected to continue during the second half.”

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