Author: Archive

Sodexi has developed a system for total electronic processing of air cargo shipments

Posted by | Sep 13, 2007 | |

In 2008, a new IT procedure will be introduced to replace the old paper based administration for exports. The system will be capable of running the entire transport process – from the original order through to delivery of goods.

The latest version of the Sodexi-designed system, entitled DELTA X, allows the full treatment of the process from handling, through automatic Customs clearance to final delivery.

Part of the Air France cargo network, Sodexi provides fast, efficient handling of express cargo at its computer-controlled airside facility at Paris CDG airport. Apart from traffic emanating from the Air France network, the company handles the Equation service for all Skyteam members, and handles many other airlines as well as FedEx, TNT, DHL, Chronopost and other specialist express forwarders.

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MoneyGram Will Expand Range of Payment Services With Acquisition of PropertyBridge

Posted by | Sep 13, 2007 | |

MoneyGram International, Inc. today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire PropertyBridge, Inc., a leading provider of electronic payment processing services for the real estate management industry. MoneyGram expects to complete the acquisition by the end of the year.

“PropertyBridge provides best-in-class rental payment solutions to some of the largest property management companies in the U.S.,” said Phil Milne, president and chief executive officer of MoneyGram. “It has developed a great system and a wonderful team to provide high value-added payment services to the multi-family housing industry. PropertyBridge is also a terrific strategic fit for us as we continue to build out and grow our bill payment business. We are very pleased that the management team and employees of PropertyBridge will remain with the company.”

PropertyBridge, which started in 2003 in Oakland, Calif., offers a complete solution to the resident payment cycle, including the ability to electronically accept deposits and rent payments, plus collect outstanding debt. Residents can pay rent online, by phone or in person and set up recurring payments.

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Preparing for Postal Privatization: Post Offices in Japan

Posted by | Sep 13, 2007 | |

As the clock ticks toward the start of its 10-year privatization process, Japan Post is struggling to keep its nationwide post office network from shrinking, particularly in rural regions where services are heavily dependent on individuals and other parties that serve as local agents. Postal Agencies Decrease to 30-Year Low Japan Post’s network comprises post offices and local postal agencies run mainly by commissioned individuals, agricultural and other credit cooperatives, and municipalities.

Agencies account for about one-fifth of Japan Post’s network, which had a total of 24,525 offices and agencies at the end of July.

Many agencies are located in under populated rural regions, and a number of them have been temporarily closed as these regions face steep falls in population.

In May this year, the number of postal agencies, excluding such suspended ones, fell below 4,000 for the first time in 30 years in a protracted downtrend that started in 1995.

The biggest contributor to the recent decrease has been municipalities. The number of agencies runs by municipalities more than halved to 164 from 349 in the same 12 months.

Japan Post is increasing efforts to keep postal agencies from falling in number. In January, the corporation raised fees paid to agents.

Backed by the fee hike, the number of postal agencies that resumed operations after temporary shutdowns totaled 93 in the four months through July, a 3.5-fold jump over the same period last year.

Despite the sharp rise, however, the number of resumed agencies remains comparatively small. The privatized post office network management company still faces the task of ensuring stable operations for the nationwide system.

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New Zeland Post: continuing growth

Posted by | Sep 13, 2007 | |

The New Zealand Post Group has announced a net after-tax profit of USD 70.2 million for the year ended 30 June 2007, compared to USD 68.7 million in 2005/06 year.

Chief Executive John Allen says the result represented a sound performance and was the sixth consecutive year in which an improvement in financial performance has been announced.

“We have had a successful year in an increasingly challenging environment thanks largely to a diversification strategy begun some 20 year ago when New Zealand Post became a State-Owned Enterprise. Today, banking, data management, software development, and express and logistics businesses now complement our postal business.

“As we celebrate our 20th birthday as an SOE, I am pleased to say that our New Zealand Post and Kiwibank brands are amongst the most trusted in New Zealand. Our Posties, Couriers, PostShop people, Mobile Mortgage Managers and Rural Delivery teams bring our brands to life every day for New Zealanders so that they are more than just advertising logos.

“The New Zealand Post Group also experienced 10 pct increases in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) and 10 pct growth in revenue.

“Kiwibank’s profit increased 61pct following another strong year in which the Bank acquired the mortgage book of AMP branded mortgages previously held by HSBC along with the Superbank deposit book and 51 pct share of New Zealand Home Loans. These acquisitions significantly enhanced the ability of Kiwibank to both meet the needs of diverse customer segments and support its continuing growth and development.

The 2006/07 result enables the New Zealand Post Group to return a total dividend to the Government – as sole shareholder – of USD 30.8 million & USD 27.7 million in 2005/06).

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Saudi Arabia's first direct mail conference kicks off in Riyadh

Posted by | Sep 13, 2007 | |

Under the patronage of his Excellency Dr. Mohammed Benten, the first conference in the Kingdom to focus solely on direct mail, titled ‘Saudi Arabia’s First Direct Mail Forum’, was inaugurated.

Saudi Post (SP), Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) and Direct Marketing Services (DMS) joined forces to organize this momentous event to celebrate the beginning of a new and innovative industry in the Kingdom; Direct Mail and to officially announce the close cooperation and strategic partnership of the Saudi Post, SRMG, and DMS working towards enhancing the Direct Mail Industry in Saudi Arabia and forming an entity specialized in DM.

Al Faysaliah Hotel in Riyadh hosted over 250 participants who included business executives, high profile business leaders, company presidents and managers in different fields including retail, airline, banking and insurance entrepreneurs and media representatives attended the conference to listen to international and local speakers.

Direct mail experts from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland and Saudi Arabia shared their experience and knowledge on direct mail with the audience. A series of presentations took place throughout the day, topics included, ‘Direct Mail, a Strategic Tool of Direct Marketing’, ‘How DM increase Brand Perception, Sales Activation and Loyalty Building’, ‘What to Test in DM’, ‘How to Run a DM Campaign’ and much more.

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Lutz Glandt joins divisional board at Deutsche Post

Posted by | Sep 12, 2007 | |

Lutz Glandt, 51, will join the Divisional Board MAIL Germany of Deutsche Post World Net with effect from October 1, 2007. He will be in charge of Media Services with responsibility for around ten percent of revenues in the MAIL Germany division. His future brief will include expanding Deutsche Post business with media companies and further development of non-addressed mail formats.

Glandt is a specialist in the media business and has worked for over 25 years in a number of senior positions in the newspaper and magazine sector. For the last two years he has acted as adviser to the Group’s Corporate Board on media issues. For many years before that he was a member of the senior management team of WAZ Media Group in Essen.”

Glandt will report to Jürgen Gerdes, Corporate Board Member MAIL and PARCEL Germany at Deutsche Post World Net.

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Velocity Express Expands National Network with Franchising Strategy

Posted by | Sep 12, 2007 | |

Velocity Express Corporation, the nation’s largest provider of time definite regional delivery solutions, unveiled plans to expand their already extensive national delivery network though franchising.

Chairman and CEO Vince Wasik announced the formation of the company’s new subsidiary Velocity Systems Franchising Corporation (VSFC). The new company will be responsible for developing franchise agreements with local and regional delivery companies in markets not currently served by Velocity Express.

“Through our franchise model, Velocity Express can offer our national customers increased geographic coverage and enhanced service offerings by partnering with the best, local and regional delivery companies in a specific market. In turn, by becoming a Velocity franchise operation, our franchisees will have access to opportunities created by our national account sales strategy, which they may not have had access too. This is truly a “home-run” for both of us.” Wasik stated.

Ted Stone the company’s CFO added, “Franchising will allow us to improve our gross margins by dramatically reducing the capital expenditures required to open new markets, while allowing us to expand our capabilities. As we migrate from our current agency relationships to franchise agreements we will also strengthen our financial performance.”

Wasik then announced that Drew Kronick, the company’s Executive Vice President of Business Development and Supply Chain Solutions, will serve as the President of VSFC. “I am very excited about where we are headed with our franchising initiative. This is a huge competitive advantage for us in the marketplace and will enhance our already strong value proposition to our customers. Unlike 3rd Party Logistics relationships, we will have a much closer bond with our franchisees, who will be certified in the procedures required by Velocity Express’s customers.” Kronick concluded.

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Itella and Alma Media partner up in eCommerce

Posted by | Sep 12, 2007 | |

Itella and Alma Media have concluded a co-operation agreement pertaining to Alma Media’s new Mikko.fi eCommerce concept. Itella will offer mailing and transport services to Alma Media’s web service customers as of 15 September, and Mikko.fi will also serve as a marketing channel for Itella’s services.

At the Mikko.fi portal, owned and maintained by Alma Media, service users can sell, buy, rent or auction goods and services over the Internet. Both consumers and corporations can act as sellers.

The web service places Itella’s parcel services comprehensively at the sellers’ disposal, including parcel address label printing, pricing and transport services. As a seller places a product for sale with the service, (s)he can select the required delivery method for it, price the item and print an address label using a personal computer. Simultaneously, the information is transferred into Itella’s transport system.

The identifier on the address label allows both the recipient and the seller of the parcel to track its route on the Internet, and advance notification of the arriving parcel will be sent as a text message or eLetter. The parcel will be delivered either directly to the recipient’s home address or the nearest post office. Later, the aim is to link further Itella services to the Mikko.fi service, in support of buying and selling on the Internet. Itella Group uses the name Posti on the Mikko.fi portal, providing consumer services under that name.

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