Palletline – Kevin Buchanan interview
Palletline – Kevin Buchanan interview
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Winning market share through innovation
Winning market share through innovation
Read MoreTwenty's Dataforce unit appointed to Royal Mail data panel (UK)
Twenty PLC said its Dataforce unit has been named as the first company to be appointed to Royal Mail’s newly created data panel.
The marketing services provider added that Dataforce will provide advice on customer retention and loyalty, customer journey mapping and large database work.
Royal Mail’s data panel will eventually be made up of five specialist data suppliers and is aimed at developing new data products and services to increase the effectiveness of mail for its customers. The service went live on Jan 28 2008.
Read MoreAmtrak launches e-billing as part of continuing IT systems upgrade
Amtrak has launched an e-billing service which is available to account holding customers. The system gives customers the ability to access their accounts online, which enables them to also view invoices, statements and credit notes. The e-billing system can also be used to query any billing details.
“E-billing gives our customers greater visibility and control of their accounts and helps them resolve any potential queries more efficiently,” explains Alan Jones, Managing Director.
“It also significantly cuts our use of paper, which is one of the aims of our environmental policy.”
Amtrak is investing in IT systems and equipment to improve the service it offers to customers. The investment programme includes the roll-out by the end of February of 1,000 new Dolphin 7900 scanners supplied to drivers and depots, to ensure full visibility through the Amtrak network.
The company is also creating the new position of IT Director to reflect the importance of IT in both its internal and customer-facing processes.
“These improvements, from e-billing to real-time PODs, ensure our customers have access to information about their shipments and all aspects of their business with us, at any time,” says Mr Jones. “It improves their efficiency and ours, as well as benefiting the environment.”
Read MoreBelgian Post improves profits in 2007
Belgian Post has announced a significant improvement in its profits for 2007 thanks to higher revenues, better mail quality and successful modernisation of its operations.
According to provisional figures, the company’s turnover increased by 1.9pct to EUR 2.2 billion, which represents a 3pct organic increase taking the sale of French subsidiary Asterion in September 2007 into account. The structural drop in volumes in 2007 was limited to 0.1pct, while successes included an increased market share in direct mail and international mail. On the other hand, La Poste was forced to terminate its PubliPack pilot scheme for unaddressed mail in the second half of the year due to inadequate margins.
Belgian Post said that although its operating profit (Ebitda) dropped by 17pct from EUR 229 million last year, this was largely due to non-recurring costs. The underlying operating profit rose by 10pct, and the net profit showed a similar trend. The fully audited consolidated results will be submitted to the Board and shareholders for approval in mid-April.
CEO Johnny Thijs stressed that the group had succeeded in implementing a considerable number of change and modernisation projects in 2007. “La Poste is keeping to the schedule set for its preparation for full liberalisation of the postal market in 2011,” he commented. Among the main achievements, Belgian Post improved mail delivery quality to 92.4pct next-day delivery, and continued the post office network restructuring with the closure of 250 full post offices and opening of 267 PostPoint agencies.
In 2008, Belgian Post will focus on several major projects, including the launch of a new parcels and express service, further post office network restructuring and a continued mail reorganisation.
Swiss Post integrates in-night express units into PostLogistics
Swiss Post has merged its two in-night express subsidiaries PostLogistics Innight AG and NES AG into its PostLogistics AG division in order to expand its offer within the growth markets of overnight express and maintenance logistics as well as in courier services.
Swiss Post has operated in the overnight express market through PostLogistics Innight AG since 1999. Last year’s buy of NES AG enabled it to strengthen its leading position in overnight express and maintenance logistics. The legal structure has now been simplified by merging both subsidiaries into PostLogistics AG.
Reto Baumgartner, a member of the Post Logistics’ management board, will be responsible for the in-night business as well as for courier services and systems solutions. He will also lead the further expansion of the product portfolio.
Post Logistics is the market leader for courier services, overnight express and maintenance logistics in Switzerland. In particular, the overnight express market is growing at an above-average rate due to the significant competitive advantages for customers. Shipments that are collected in the late afternoon are delivered during the same night until 6 a.m. at the latest throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Read MoreHermes Logistik builds new hub in central Germany
Hermes Logistik started construction of its EUR 45 million new regional hub in Friedewald, Hessen, in central Germany, this week. The new depot is due to go into service in early 2009, creating up to 150 new jobs.
The 100,000 sqm facility will have capacity to sort 20,000 parcels per hour. The new location is situated close to the strategic North-South/East-West junction of the A4, A5 and A7 motorways.
Hermes is investing EUR 25 million in the sorting centre handling technology, while acquisition of the major new hub and construction of the building cost a further EUR 20 million. The Hamburg-based property developer ECE is responsible for constructing the distribution centre.
“Through the expansion of our logistics network and the startup of further Hermes distribution centres we will become even more efficient and continue to optimise the service quality of Hermes. It’s primarily our customers who will benefit from it”, Harmtut Ilek, Hermes Logistik director, who is also responsible for the hub in Friedewald, was quoted as saying.
Read MoreGLS France to open six model depots
GLS France has announced plans to open six “model depots” in Metz, Roissy, Bordeaux, Vitrolles, Lyon and Rennes equipped with the latest sorting technology and which will go into operation in the first half of 2008.
These sites will serve as a model for other GLS subsidiaries in each region. The parcel operator plans to roll out the new technology in all its French subsidiaries and depots.
GLS said it will invest EUR 10 million in the acquisition of new sorting machines and IT tools to optimize the delivery and distribution of its freight and to maintain the quality.
After installing new technology in the distribution hub in Fleury, GLS has developed a new generation of modular conveyors destined for agencies and depots to handle single parcels in the same way like pallets.
One of the innovations is telescopic handles that connect the lorries directly to the sorting chain and thus reduce the times of loading and unloading considerably.
In addition, the video monitoring system and the new scanning technology recently implemented in the depots will ensure traceability of the parcels from pick-up until delivery to the recipient. This new equipment will enhance the transparency and the security of GLS services, the company said.
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