Author: Archive

Postcomm publishes updated guidelines on exceptions to the universal postal service

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

Postcomm has published its updated guidelines which define the limited geographical conditions or other exceptional circumstances in which Royal Mail is exempt from its universal service obligation to deliver mail once every working day to every address in the United Kingdom.

The guidelines have been formulated following a consultation that invited views on all areas of the current policy, including a number of amendments proposed by Postcomm to take into account changing circumstances since the guidelines first came into effect in April 2003.

The main change to existing policy is:

Royal Mail’s Delivery Sector Manager (or equivalent) will be responsible for assessing and issuing a decision for a customer’s initial appeal against Royal Mail’s decision to except an address from the universal service obligation.
The current guidelines are due to expire on 30 June 2007; the updated rules will come into effect on 1 July 2007.

All addresses excepted from Royal Mail’s universal delivery service in 2005 were notified of this consultation as Postcomm wanted to use this review to assess whether the limited number of appeal cases it had received since April 2003 was a true reflection of postal users’ satisfaction with the current policy.

Read More

TNT, unions and works council await government vote

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

Unions and a works council within TNT NV have said they will keep a close eye on the Dutch parliament which is scheduled to vote this afternoon on market liberalisation legislation that will open the Dutch postal market to competition on deliveries of less than 50 grams.
The Abvakabo FNV union and BVPP, a postal union representing 9,000 workers, have criticised the liberalisation, while the works council at TNT Post, a division of TNT NV’s domestic operations, has warned of possible labour action, including efforts to openly obstruct competitors, if the law is not amended with minimal requirements for labour agreements.
The liberalisation law is intended to open the Dutch market more fully to TNT competitors, such as Selekt Mail and Sandd, by Jan 1, 2008.
Those companies are not required to pay workers an hourly wage and use freelance performance-based pay schemes. Abvakabo FNV and the TNT Post works council say that these companies pay less than the minimum wage and enable unfair competition.
The subject was discussed during a series of parliamentary debates, and proposals were put forward to establish basic standards for all postal workers. But the motion failed to garner majority support and was rejected by Frank Heemskerk, the Social Democrat deputy minister in charge of the liberalisation.

Read More

USPS – countdown to new international mailing

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

USPS has simplified the eight main International Mail products into four: Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International.

Another simplification for customers comes in packaging. Also effective May 14, mailers can use the same Priority Mail and Express Mail packaging whether they are shipping within the United States or to another country. And as always, the packaging supplies are available free of charge from USPS.

Other changes to make international mailing easy for customers are:
The same flat-rate packaging already popular for domestic shipping can now be used for international mailing.
Online tools now combine a mailer’s customs form and address label into one, easy-to-complete document.
Discounts are available for postage purchased online using Click-N-Ship at usps.com or through authorized PC postage vendors. Online customers also can request Free Package Pickup for most International Mail services.

Read More

Personalized Mailboxes

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

Before interstates, blue highways and global overnight delivery, the Rural Federal Delivery brought correspondence and packages to rural mailboxes that were as individual as each resident. Now, as more and more mass-produced Cluster Box Units (CBUs) replace the quirky, personalized mailboxes of our back roads, some say we’re in danger of losing a beloved part of Americana. Others say rural Americans are, like the rest of the country, simply looking to upgrade their service, access and security.
In a world that thrives on cultural icons, mailboxes are peculiarly American expressions of identity. Just take a drive in any area of the country to view the care and creativity that go into designing a mailbox to complement the homeowner’s lifestyle. For example, fiberglass dolphins and manatees or wooden lighthouses are popular in shell-lined coastal areas. Whirligigs, anchors and nautical ropes are also big for ocean-side bungalows. Miniature McMansions with cedar shingles and slate roofs grace the paved drives of gated communities. And small, hollow yurts and geodesic domes stand as sentinels on the dirt roads of Rocky Mountain skiers and backcountry hippies.
Before interstates, blue highways and global overnight delivery, the Rural Federal Delivery brought correspondence and packages to rural mailboxes that were as individual as each resident. Now, as more and more mass-produced Cluster Box Units (CBUs) replace the quirky, personalized mailboxes of our back roads, some say we’re in danger of losing a beloved part of Americana. Others say rural Americans are, like the rest of the country, simply looking to upgrade their service, access and security.

Read More

Smart Stamp – Universal Envelope Identifier

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

Intellareturn Corp., announced its Append® Envelope Technology at the Envelope Manufacturers Association’s (EMA) Spring Meeting in Tuscon, AZ. As part of the conference, ‘Center for Technology and Trends’ session, the company presented technological advances in paper-based communication.

The Append® microchip-based “Smart Stamp” system links supplemental text, audio and video files to envelopes. The Smart Stamp service can be sold as a book of self-adhesive labels or pre-manufactured into envelopes, taking envelope manufacturers into the wireless ecosystem with new business models to store, control and deliver rich-media content.

Using Near-Field Communication Technology (“NFC”) and printed conductive ink antennas combined with mobile phones and other wireless reader devices, Append services bring a new intelligent mail “Smart Stamp”service into the mailstream for adding supplemental text, pictures, audio and video to sent postal mail.

Append represents the next evolution of postal services where the so-called ‘Internet of things’ can be embedded into everyday items with built-in Internet access technology to grow the value of envelopes and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The new service can also provide seamless verification that mail has been received, read and contractually acted upon by integrating with USPS Intelligent Mail printed codes and graphics linked to postal identifier solutions.

Read More

Canada Post announces new four-year agreement with postal workers

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

Canada Post is pleased to announce it has successfully negotiated a new four-year collective agreement with its largest bargaining agent, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The new agreement will be in place until January 31, 2011.

There are approximately 50,000 employees represented by CUPW who are responsible for the collection, processing and delivery of mail in mostly urban centres across the country. A separate bargaining unit is responsible for delivery in rural Canada.

“This negotiated agreement exemplifies the strong commitment of Canada Post and its thousands of employees across the country to ensuring our customers and all Canadians continue to receive the highest possible level of service,” said Moya Greene, President and CEO.

Ms Greene also recognized the professional and business-like approach adopted by the negotiating teams throughout the bargaining process.

“This allowed the parties to focus on fairness and respect for employees while also recognizing the essential need to look after the interests of customers,” she said. “The new agreement signals the determination of Canada Post and our dedicated workforce to move forward together to take on the very real competitive challenges of the marketplace.”

The new agreement, replacing the one that expired January 31, 2007, provides a wide range of improvements in compensation and working conditions while helping the Corporation to better manage benefit costs for the future.

The Canada Post Group of Companies is a key enabler of the Canadian economy. We deliver more than 40 million messages, pieces of mail and parcels every business day. Our 72,000 employees and 6,600 post offices, as well as the 14 million physical addresses we serve, are each a key link in our network that connects Canadian businesses and consumers from coast to coast to coast.

The tentative agreement was reached February 8 and was ratified during voting by the union membership that concluded April 22, 2007.

Read More

DHL and VNPT fast track new joint venture

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

The DHL-VNPT Express Joint Venture debuted in Ho Chi Minh City, on April 24.

The joint venture between DHL and Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), was invested with 5.8 million USD in capital. Fifty-one percent of which was contributed by DHL.

According to the joint venture’s director general, Tim Baxter, Viet Nam is one the fastest growing markets for DHL with the company already enjoying a 40 percent market share.

Observers believe that, the joint venture will enable shorter supply and express service times for Viet Nam-based clients.

The new company will also be able to utilise DHL’s already existing global network that covers more than 200 countries and territories world-wide.

Read More

DHL expands operations in Vermont

Posted by | Apr 24, 2007 | |

DHL today announced the opening of a new facility in White River Junction, Vt., which will significantly expand DHL’s presence in the Upper Valley region. DHL has invested USD640,000 in the new 11,000-sq.-ft facility, which will serve DHL’s local pickup, delivery and sorting operations.

The new facility relocates DHL from a 2,000 sq.-ft facility to one over five times its size to meet DHL’s current and future needs in this market. Strategically located off of a main arterial to provide more convenient customer access, customers will receive earlier package deliveries due to the newly automated package handling systems and a more efficient, expanded dock operation.

The pickup and delivery area for the new facility includes areas in and around White River Junction, Vt., as well as areas in New Hampshire including Claremont, Lebanon, and Hanover.

The new facility will handle all types of shipments – including domestic and international parcels and palletized, loose-load and container freight.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

Have you noticed a decrease of non-EU inbound parcel volumes since the implementation of the new €3 charge?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!


View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest