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UK Post offices' future 'lies with unique services'

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

Distinct products and unique services could safeguard the future of the threatened post office network.

That was the view of about 20 of Moray’s sub-postmasters and postmistresses who met last night to discuss the latest challenges facing their businesses.

It is not known how many in Scotland will be affected, but estimates range from 300 to 600.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said in December the cuts were needed because of losses of GBP4million a week.

Last night, those in Moray said some of the area’s post offices may no longer be viable, and that will be due in part to Government policy.

A sub-postmaster from Craigellachie said constant decisions to share once-unique post office services with other outlets was crippling the service.

Announcing the proposal, Mr Darling promised a GBP1.7billion package for the period up to 2011, including compensation, thought to be about GBP70,000 each, for sub-post office proprietors ordered to close.

There will also be an on-going subsidy of GBP150million a year to maintain a network of the remaining 12,000 main and sub-post offices.

But some at the meeting last night said they did not want a subsidy – they wanted to be part of a vibrant business that sustained itself.

They also expressed their desire to see the GBP1.7billion package spent wisely.

Former Fochabers sub-postmaster Paul McBain said: “They need to spend that money looking for business that is going to keep the post office vibrant.”

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U.S. Postal Commission says plans for postal service flawed

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

The Postal Regulatory Commission has said the U.S. Postal Service’s plans to consolidate are flawed, but it’s unknown if that opinion will carry any weight.

The Postal Regulatory Commission in December released its advisory opinion on the possible consolidation of post offices nationwide. That could include the Aberdeen post office.

The opinion said the postal service’s consolidation plans might not meet goals, such as continuing the current level of service.

“In particular, the record reflects flawed or absent information on certain crucial aspects of the Postal Service’s plan for realignment,” the opinion said.

According to its Web site, the Postal Regulatory Commission reviews the postal service’s changes in rates, services and fees.

“They are involved in anything that might affect our service,” said Teresa Rudkin, a spokeswoman for the postal service.

However, Rudkin said the Postal Regulatory Commission serves an advisory purpose only; it does not have any power over the decisions the postal service makes.

In December 2005, the U.S. Postal Service announced a study at the main post office in Aberdeen. The postal service is trying to determine the effect of moving some mail services from Aberdeen to Huron.

A service review was conducted in April 2006 as a second opinion to the study. It was determined there would be no impact to mail service if mail now processed in Aberdeen was moved to the Dakota Central processing and distribution center in Huron.

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TNT starts direct freight flights to China

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

TNT has started direct freight flight services between Shanghai and Europe.
‘The move is mainly ascribed to the increasing market demand (for freight) between China and Europe’, noted the newly named CEO in the Greater China Region, Michael Drake.

The route will link more than 500 Chinese cities in the company’s China delivery network and over 400 European cities that its European operations cover.

TNT is accelerating its expansion in China to rival the other three of the world’s Big Four — UPS, DHL, and FedEx, as well as domestic express deliverers in the country.

It was announced in December 2005 that it was in talks to take over HOAU Logistics, the biggest freight and parcel delivery operator in Mainland China and headquartered in Heilongjiang, Northeastern China.

‘The takeover is undergoing the final regulatory procedure now and is predicted to be completed before mid 2007.’ Michael Drake told journalists.

In order to raise its competitiveness in China, the global giant has started focusing on express delivery, a significant change compared with its former strategy with focus on express delivery, direct mail, and logistics.

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Transactional e-mail marketing still growing: Silverpop study

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

Although many companies are interested, transactional e-mail marketing has yet to be adopted by most e-mail marketers, according to a new Silverpop study.

The Silverpop report, titled “How Top Retailers Use Transactional E-Mails,” studied the messages sent to recipients immediately following an online purchase. Silverpop’s strategic research group purchased items from 84 of the top online retailers, evaluating the e-mails on subject line, personalization, layout and promotional content. It found that only one in five retailers used transactional e-mails to promote other products.

“Far too many companies allow their companies’ IT departments to send static, text-only messages,” said Elaine O’Gorman, vice president of strategy at Silverpop, Atlanta.

“This is despite the fact that transactional e-mails often reach customers at a time when they are most likely thinking about the company in a positive light.

“They are also among the most highly read e-mails, with open rates often far in excess of 60 percent to 70 percent, which makes them extremely efficient vehicles for marketing as well,” she said.

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Fedex upgrades India-focus

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

FedEx Corp has last month upgraded India from a country within a region to a full region in its own right.

Earlier, Fedex had five regions, each with its own vice president. These regions were US, Canada, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), Latin America- Caribbean (LAC) and Asia-Pacific (APAC). India came under EMEA and had Jacques Creeten as its managing director reporting to his vice president in Brussels, Belgium.

Since December 2006, however, in recognition of the importance of the role of the India market in the Fedex world, India has been split from the EMEA region and made into a separate region altogether- the sixth in Fedex.

Consequently, Jacques Creeten, A Belgian national who has been in India for the past eight years heading Fedex operations here as MD, became vice-president, India operations. This change enables speeds up decisions regarding India operations, rather than referring everything back to Brussels. India will still however liaise with Brussels even after this change.
Fedex has gained from the rapid rise in exports/imports of tools, machine parts, pharma, textiles, garments, and electronics. It has also moved fast to augment capacity: today 16 Fedex flights touch India mainly on the route Europe-Delhi/Mumbai-Subic Bay-US and vice versa.

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Empost expands courier service to North and South America

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

With operations in Asia, Africa, Europe and now the Americas, Empost is positioning itself as a leading inter-continental service provider in the industry.

The new service will greatly benefit North and South American expatriates in the UAE who are looking for a time-saving and cost-efficient means of forwarding important documents and packages back home. North and South American residents who are looking for a courier service provider with extensive experience in providing logistical support in the Middle East can likewise take advantage of Empost’s nine plus years of experience as market leader in secure and customized courier services.

Clients can select from a whole range of packages offered by Empost, such as ‘Mandoub’, ‘Jawaz’, ‘EziPack’, ‘Ameel’, ‘HealthPack’, ‘LiteDox’, ‘EmDirect’ and ‘EziMail’. Empost also offers the track-and-trace facility that allows documents and parcels to be tracked online through its Web site. Alternatively, customers can also use Empost’s call-centre service to track the status of their documents or parcels.

Aside from pre-packaged services, the UAE’s leading provider of courier services also offers customized courier solutions designed to meet specific requirements by its clients. Empost has a network of more than 80 outlets in the UAE, all offering a comprehensive, high-standard range of courier and postal services.

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DHL Express eyes acquisitions for Turkish growth

Posted by | Jan 23, 2007 | |

DHL Express is looking at acquisitions in Turkey to increase its growth in the country, according to reports in Turkish media.

The company, which claims a 50% percent of the Turkish express market, grew 30% in 2006 compared to an original target of 18%, the Dunya Gazetesi newspaper reported. Total revenue figures were not disclosed.

According to the Referans newspaper, DHL is in discussions with Aras Cargo, one of the leading Turkish logistics operators, about a strategic investment. The newspaper cited Enis Karsloglu, general manager of Aras Cargo, as saying that the company was in talks with three foreign investors, including DHL, about international growth plans.

DHL Turkey’s communications director Seda Susal was quoted as saying that DHL wanted to extend its operations in Turkey through acquisitions and was in talks with some companies.

Aras Cargo, a family-owned company, claims to be one of the largest freight transport groups in Turkey. According to information on its company website, it has 7,300 employees, 2,500 vehicles and 1,300 service points. Products include a nationwide next-day delivery service for small goods.

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Royal Mail's deficit cloud darkens

Posted by | Jan 22, 2007 | |

Opposition parties have rounded on the UK government over Royal Mail’s deepening financial crisis, as an exodus of big corporate clients heaped pressure on the firm to tackle its GBP5.6bn pensions deficit.

BT dropped Royal Mail in favour of TNT Post for a GBP90m contract, with UK energy supplier Centrica and the Carphone Warehouse quickly following suit – both choosing private suppliers.

In total Royal Mail lost out on contracts worth nearly GBP150m.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) became the first high profile department to turn its back on the Royal Mail and has since said it would not rule out dropping the firm for future contracts.

Alan Duncan, Conservative shadow trade, industry and energy secretary, quizzed the government in parliament over its failure to deal with the situation.

The government-owned former monopoly has struggled to retain business after postal services were fully opened to competition last year. Since then it’s lost more than 10% of the mail-handling market to private firms.

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