Author: Archive

Linehaul UK Ltd joins the Fortec team

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

Linehaul UK Ltd started operation in 2001 and joined Fortec in January 2007 and is responsible for palletised collection and delivery in the RH and TN area postcodes.

Hanson Masih, Sales and Marketing Director, Linehaul UK Ltd, commented: “Our decision to become a member of the Fortec Pallet Distribution Network was reached following an audit of a number of networks. We were attracted to Fortec for several reasons including it’s extensive reach offered throughout the UK and Internationally through it’s parent company Geodis; the solid operations infrastructure; and feedback from established members. Overall Fortec has ticked all the boxes in terms of what we were looking for in our search for a partner”.

With a dedicated team of 30 drivers and administration staff and a similar number of vehicles, Linehaul is now able to provide through Fortec, a nationwide and International palletised distribution service offering.

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APC plans growth through mini-hubs

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

APC Overnight, the next-day courier co-operative, is relying on “mini-hubs” to improve efficiency in the network.

One mini-hub already exists at Bellshill, Glasgow. From there, all cross-border Scottish consignments are trunked for sorting and onward distribution. Similar facilities are now planned for London, the West Country and the M62 corridor.

New hubs, new branding

“Mini-hubs are at the core of our growth strategy, ” said MD Quentin Abel. “With a huband-spoke system, everything goes into the main hub near Wolverhampton.

“Why should something from, say, the West Country go all the way to the Midlands and then all the way back? Not only is that an inefficient way to operate, but we are concerned that we are harming the environment.” Double-decker trailers are also helping APC to increase operational efficiency. Eight new double-decker trailers have been ordered at a cost of GBP 250,000 to allow more cages to be carried on key trunk routes.

In addition to the investment in vehicles, APC has spent over GBP 2m on re-branding, including a new logo, and an electronic driver communication system. The company is the first to use Intermec’s latest solution, the CN3, which combines GPS-based satnav, wireless LAN (local area network) and Bluetooth in one handheld device.

“The system will allow drivers to capture digital signatures for real-time proof of delivery – a first for APC – but, more than that, it will enable members to introduce dynamic planning and scheduling and task allocation, ” said Abel.

“This will enable us to give business and home consumers a greater choice of delivery time. The driver can send an SMS or email telling the recipient the estimated time of delivery – which we think we can do within a 20-minute accuracy – and if the customer will not be at home, he can arrange a more suitable time or take the package back to base – but without the extra effort of trying to deliver.”

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Hermes implements Motorola equipment to improve delivery times

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

The wide range of functionality and features that the Motorola devices offered also played a crucial part in Hermes’ decision. One of the functions that it required on its new mobile computers was a 2D imager to enable drivers to read any kind of two-dimensional code, such as PDF417, Datamatrix or QR-Code, as well as barcodes. Motorola’s MC3090 not only allows this advanced data capture, but can also store high-resolution pictures of digital-camera quality. The Motorola devices can therefore be used to provide evidence of damaged shipments on site. Additional functionality allows customer signatures to be captured and displayed on the colour screen, as well as displaying other relevant information about the delivery.

Hermes operates in harsh environments and its mobile computers are subjected to considerable stress. The MC3090’s rugged design and IP54-rated sealing ensure continued use and uptime by protecting against dust, moisture and extreme temperatures. But even the most robust and reliable products require a maintenance plan and support strategy, given by the crucial role they play in the Hermes logistics system. To meet these needs, Hermes chose Motorola’s comprehensive support agreement, which helps to minimise down time through a next-day promise to exchange damaged devices with new ones.
Motorola, Inc. announced that Hermes Logistics Group, Germany’s largest independent logistics provider, is replacing its existing data capture system with 23,000 MC3090s mobile computers to help streamline the delivery process and improve delivery times. 8,000 of the devices from Motorola’s enterprise mobility business (formerly Symbol Technologies) have already been deployed at Hermes Hamburg operations, and the remaining 15,000 devices will be rolled out over the next two years. The devices were chosen by Hermes because of their robust yet ergonomic design that allows them to be used in even the most demanding environments. Motorola is also providing special service and maintenance as part of the project. The project is being led by Motorola’s Premier Solution Provider, PDS Entwicklungs- und Service GmbH, known as a specialist for mobility IT solutions. PDS has also developed and customized the system software.

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An Post deal to double 3’s top-up distribution

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

3, Ireland’s mobile media network is to double its distribution network for 3Pay top-up vouchers in a new distribution deal an agreement with An Post.

The An Post deal gives 3 access to 4,000 top-up outlets nationwide including 1,000 post offices nationwide.

“This is a significant agreement for 3 giving us nationwide distribution through An Post and its retail partners, massively increasing the places our customer can top-up,” said 3’s head of customer relations, Peter Cogan.

“Not only does this bring more convenience for our customers but also opens up valuable revenue streams for 3.”

Eddie Manning, channel sales manager at An Post welcomed the 3Pay deal, saying: “An Post has unrivalled customer reach through a unique retail network of post offices and PostPoint outlets. We’re pleased to now offer customers the 3Pay option, a fine addition to our suite of convenient, value-for-money products.”

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TNT Bulgaria offers new direct connection

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

TNT Bulgaria, the local branch of the global provider of express, logistics and mail service, launched a new service to offer clients direct connections with Greece and Romania.

Balkan Express has been especially tailored to service Bulgarian clients who need express road transport from and to Greece and Romania. The service will make it possible for shipments and cargoes to be transported “from door to door” for up to two days to Bucharest and Thessaloniki and up to three days for the rest of the country.

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Prepare for turmoil in Royal Mail

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

Confrontation in Royal Mail is virtually guaranteed as the public sector pay curbs dictated by the government are combining with bosses’ determination to cut costs in order to compete against TNT and other private mail operators.

Across the public sector chancellor Gordon Brown has told workers they will get only a 2 percent rise. Postal workers are facing even worse.

As Socialist Worker went to press the pay offer remained “closed” – a secret between bosses and union leaders. Details were expected to be released this week, but there are already plenty of indications about what Royal Mail want.

According to leaks seen by Socialist Worker, there will be no (or a very low) basic pay rise. In order to get a lump sum of a few hundred pounds, workers will have to assist in plans to save around GBP 350 million in operating costs.

Over 20 conditions must be met to reach this 90-day business plan target.
Bosses also want the pension age to rise to 65.

Royal Mail has told CWU union officials that it is going to implement savings whether the union likes it or not.

Meanwhile the Daily Express reports that up to 50,000 postal workers could lose their jobs in the biggest cuts in the history of the Royal Mail.

Almost a third of staff in the letters division could be hit, on top of 35,000 jobs which have gone through redundancies over the past five years.

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Help avert postal strike, Yechury tells PM

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

As postal employees gear up to go on a nationwide strike, senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in the matter to resolve the standoff.
In a letter to Singh, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member said the demands raised by the employees “appear very reasonable” and sought a settlement to avert the strike so that services are not disrupted.
The demands of the postal employees include setting up of a judicial commission for Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS) as per the normal practice instead of forming a committee with a retired officer as Chairman of the GDS Committee.
“This is in clear violation of an agreement reached during the 1993 postal strike….Therefore, the demand for setting up the Judicial Commission is fully justified and cannot be compromised,” he said in the letter.
Other demands are recognition to the National Federation of Postal Employees and scrapping of a decision to hand over certain post offices in urban areas to private parties as franchisees.
“This is the beginning of the privatisation of postal services in the country. The Unions are totally opposed to the scheme. But despite the opposition, postal authorities are going ahead with their decision,” he observed.

“These demands appear very reasonable and I cannot conceive of any pressing reasons why they are not being accepted,” Yechury said and urged the Prime Minister to personally intervene in the matter.

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Australia Post is delivering in its Chinese joint venture

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

Australia Post’s joint-venture logistics company in China, Sai Cheng, is tipping a growth rate of more than 40 per cent this year after completing its first 12 months of operation.
Sai Cheng chief executive Grant Kelly said he was confident of strong growth. “China’s international freight market is growing at 25 per cent a year,” he said. “We should grow faster than that in turnover, although it is off a small base.”
Last year, Sai Cheng — a joint venture between Australia Post and China Post — set up five logistics centres. The company spent 2005 establishing its operations in China.
Mr Kelly said this year the company would build another logistics hub in Tianjin in northern China. “This will be near China’s growing manufacturing base,” he said.
Australia Post set up in China before its logistics rival Toll Holdings put its feet on the ground there.
Another big Australian logistics group, Linfox, has long operated in Asia.
Australia Post already competes against Toll through Australian Air Express, its joint venture with Qantas. Toll chief Paul Little aims to use the Toll-owned Virgin Blue as a competitor in the air freight market.

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