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An Post offers postmasters euro12m deal

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

An Post has offered to pay euro12 million to its 1,300 postmasters as part of a move to end a long-running stand-off with the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) over pay and the future of the post office network

Two working parties will also be set up – one to look at the viability and make-up of the post office network and the other to examine a long-term pay deal for IPU members. Both are expected to produce recommendations by the end of the year.

An RTÉ report yesterday suggested that about 500 post offices could close under the restructuring plan.

However, An Post and the IPU said that no figure had been placed on how many post offices might close. This would not be decided until the working group had issued its report, they added.

At present, An Post owns and directly runs about 80 post offices around the country. Another 1,300 are operated under licence by members of the IPU.

It is understood that the viability of each post office will be scrutinised. The IPU had previously warned that 300-400 post offices could close in the next few years if its members were not paid more by the State-owned postal service.

Since 2001, about 450 post offices have shut, according to the IPU.

It is understood that a deadline of February 28th has been set for a deal to be reached on these proposals.

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DHL reveals plans for massive investment in Middle East

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

To mark the 30th anniversary of its presence in the Middle East region, Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Post World Net, has announced the Group’s growth strategy for the region at a press conference held in Dubai.

He revealed that DHL is set to expand its operations at Dubai World Central by more than 300,000 square metres over the coming years. He also announced that his company will invest significantly into expanding its presence at the new Dubai Logistics City (DLC).

The expanded facilities build upon the existing footprint of 85,000 square metres in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, which is operated by Danzas AEI Emirates. The group’s logistics entity, which represents the DHL Global Forwarding and Exel Supply Chain businesses in this region, recently announced two additional signing agreements. The first is on 30,000 square metres at the new Cargo Village Jebel Ali Airport forwarding area with an option for a further 15,000 square metres. It has also secured an additional 155,000 square meters in the DLC’s specialised contract logistics area with an option for another 78,000 square metres.

Meanwhile DHL Express plans to further invest in a new air integrator hub facility on a 50,000 square metre plot at the new World Central Airport in Jebel Ali. This hub facility will complement DHL’s existing infrastructure network and provide long-term growth capacity to its Middle East air/road distribution model.

The investment by DHL is an important step in the development of the express and logistics sector in the region. It will increase the level of competition in the region, and direct competitors will be examining their own investment strategies in light of DHL’s moves.

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Ambassador Pledges Scrutiny of Japan Post Privatization

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

The United States would file complaints with the World Trade Organization if it determines privatization plans for Japan Post constituted new barriers to trade.

In October 2007, the government-run postal system will be broken into four units, wholly owned by a government holding company, with the Kampo and Yucho segments becoming the world’s largest life insurer and savings bank, respectively. The life insurance unit would operate as an independent company called Kampo Seimei Hoken in Japanese and Postal Insurance Corp. in English. The PIC would debut with assets totaling 114.59 trillion yen (USD953.9 billion) and anticipates first-year earnings of 77 billion yen (USD641 million) in fiscal year 2008.

Under Japan’s 10-year implementation plan for privatization, PIC will see an initial public offering for a limited number of shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in late 2011, with the government’s remaining shares to be sold off in subsequent offerings over a five-year period. But it’s the plan’s proposal that the PIC be allowed, as early as this fall, to branch into new product lines, such as accident and medical insurance, and to increase the permitted face values of its life insurance products that is drawing concern from the U.S. life industry.

In its road map, Japan Post Corp. cited the need to branch into new and more profitable areas as a precursor to privatization, arguing such expansion is necessary to draw investors’ interest in the life insurer.

Among concerns raised by private life insurers are Kampo’s current exemptions from taxes and from obligations to contribute to guaranty funds, as well as the fact that regulators historically have allowed Kampo’s contracts to differ sharply from those written in the private sector.

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UK campaigners rally to save post offices

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

Groups opposed to the closure of post offices are staging a national protest today as part of a campaign to keep open threatened branches. Union leaders, politicians, countryside and pensioners’ organisations will join forces to call on the Government not to press ahead with plans to shut 2,500 offices. The campaign aims to secure the future of the postal network offering a range of government products and services including a Post Office card account. A rally in Westminster will be followed by a lobby of MPs and events across the UK. Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern said, ‘We are

pleased that the Government has started to wake up to our concerns about the future of post offices.

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Regulus partners with Pitney Bowes to improve mail management

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

Regulus, the nation’s largest independent provider of paper and electronic-based bill presentment and processing solutions, announced today its successful compliance with Phase III of the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Plan for Secure Postage Meter Technology. The new standards improve postage accounting capabilities for increased accuracy while strengthening postal security.

Regulus integrated Pitney Bowes’ industry-proven DM Infinity Series Digital Mailing System and its DFWorks Postage Accounting Solution into its nationwide network of document processing facilities. Pitney Bowes’ secure IBI-compliant technology is the most widely adopted digital metering standard in the industry.

The USPS’ overhaul of its metering standards began in 1995 and will last through at least 2008. Phase I retired all mechanical meters, Phase II retired all manually reset meters and Phase III migrates letterpress meters to the enhanced security of digitally printing meters. Compliance with Phase III is the result of a recently completed multimillion-dollar initiative in which Regulus bolstered its existing advanced mail monitoring technologies to meet ever-increasing security and compliance requirements.

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Deutsche Post World Net Chairman and CEO lauds DHL''s Bahrain operations

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

DHL was today praised for its regional operations by Deutsche Post World Net Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel in his regional visit.

The visit coincides with the group’s 30th Anniversary in the region.

Dr. Zumwinkel was in Bahrain as part of his regional visit which has seen him meet with DHL Express, DHL Exel Supply Chain and DHL Global Forwarding employees, as well as select VIPs and dignitaries in the region.

DHL recently invested into its Bahrain airside hub to enhance its service offerings and continue to provide a safe and secure service to all its customers.

DHL Bahrain is a key contributor to the local economy and its reputation, as a strong supporter of the local community for over 30 years is well known. Over 80% of employees promoted this year at DHL’s training programs, particularly in supervisory and management roles are Bahraini nationals, making a total of over 90% of DHL’s workforce Bahrainis.

A significant milestone for DHL was implementation of the Single Point of Entry agreement in July as part of the GCC Customs Union. With Bahrain being the centre of DHL operations in the region, the express and logistics provider now offers a swift enhanced service to DHL GCC customers by cutting shipment delivery times by up to half a day. Implementation of the agreement also allows DHL to perform one time processing of customs clearance upon entrance into its hubs in the region.

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Record growth for DPD Masterlink in 2006

Posted by | Feb 20, 2007 | |

In 2006 Masterlink registered a record growth of volumes – 12,2 million parcels delivered. This figure represents an approximate 50% rise in comparison with 2005. This increase is also reflected in the growth of turnover by 40%.

Since the beginning of 2006 investments began in operational and IT infrastructure of DPD Masterlink. This resulted in the establishment of a second depot in Warsaw, enlargement of the company’s headquarters by further warehouse and office areas and expansion of the Katowice depot area and the modernization of other existing branches in the country. Simultaneously, the company invested in necessary warehouse equipment, conveyor belts and IT systems.
For the second year in a row the company registered growth three times bigger than the market, without jeopardising its commitment to maintaining a high quality of service. The future plans will see continued growth with further investments in the infrastructure. Rafal Nawloka, DPD Masterlink President, predicts that the finalization of the first phase of investments in operational infrastructure will occur in 2010.
The change of the legal name of the company is the last step in the transition phase of the two brands coexistence. Thanks to this change Masterlink will be able to build a new international image, as well as compete more effectively on the market and increase its share in the international parcels segment.

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