Year: 2005

Stiff Competition Jolts NIPOST

Posted by | Apr 10, 2005 | |

In a bid to find relevance in the fast expanding market, especially with mushrooming private courier service providers in the country, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has intensified its campaign to re-orientate its entire staff towards creating a better delivery system and economic survival.

The Postmaster-General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Musa Argungu, admitted the fact in an address he presented recently at the inauguration of the Edo Territory ServiCom Committee in Benin-City, but promised customers better service under the new progrmamme.

The exercise is in part of the “NIPOST ServiCom Awareness/Public Enlightenment Campaign in the South-South Zone of Nigeria (and it) is part of our efforts to guarantee optimum customer reception in all our post offices throughout the country”, he assured.

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Deutsche Post bid rumours lift Exel

Posted by | Apr 9, 2005 | |

Shares in Exel hit a three-year high, up 5 per cent at 894 1/2p for the week, on rumours the logistics group could face a bid from Deutsche Post. Traders became excited after Europe’s largest postal group said it would seek to more than triple the number of shares it could issue to fund potential acquisitions. But though there was some substance to the speculation, with trading volume for Exel on Monday more than twice the daily average, shareholders should note that just last month a DP executive told the Financial Times the company was not interested in such a deal.

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Manifesto pledge to hold on to UK Royal Mail set to please Labour loyalists and unions

Posted by | Apr 9, 2005 | |

The Royal Mail is to remain in government hands, Labour’s election manifesto will pledge next week in a promise that is likely to be welcomed by party loyalists and trades unions. Tony Blair has decided that, while competition to open up the postal market should continue as the government brings more private involvement into the running of public services, the Royal Mail itself should remain in state ownership. The manifesto pledge effectively rules out a partial sell-off of the business, one option that is thought to interest Allan Leighton, its chairman. There has been persistent speculation that the government might approve a part-privatisation after the general election. However, ministers are in agreement with trades unions, which have argued fiercely against it.

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DHL sees 45pc increase in China freight revenue

Posted by | Apr 8, 2005 | |

DHL Express expects China-related revenue to grow at least 45 per cent this year as more mainland manufacturers shift to producing high-technology commodities such as electronics and computer peripherals, according to a senior company executive. Scott Price, the new chief executive for Asia Pacific, said the company’s China sales grew 50 per cent to 60 per cent last year as it moved the greatest share of the mainland’s international express cargo, which analysts say is expected to reach USD1.2 billion this year. “We are very confident that our calculations on China market share are correct and we think we’re No1 at 40 per cent,” Mr Price told the South China Morning Post. “The fact that we are growing at these extraordinary levels reflects China’s move to more hi-tech manufacturing than it has ever produced before.”

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PROFILE – PETER CARR (Postwatch): Carr draws up final battle plan

Posted by | Apr 8, 2005 | |

Postwatch chairman Peter Carr has used his experience in the retail world to force Royal Mail to put the customer first. As his reign comes to a close, Jessica Phillips asks who else will defend user needs so fearlessly

For most men on the verge of retirement, there is an inevitable ‘winding down’ period as the prospect of ‘pipe and slippers’ moves ever closer. For Postwatch chairman Peter Carr, however, this could not be further from the truth, as he draws up the battle plan for his final eight months in the role.

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DTI hunts chief to succeed Postwatch chairman Carr

Posted by | Apr 8, 2005 | |

Peter Carr is to step down as Postwatch chairman at the end of the year, sparking the hunt for a successor. A Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) spokeswoman says it is too early to comment on Carr’s retirement, after six years in the role, but confirmed that the search for a replacement will begin after the General Election. Carr was appointed to set up and chair the postal watchdog in 1999, after leaving a 35-year career in retail. A Postwatch spokesman comments: “Peter will be a hard act to follow.”

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US Postal Service seeks 2-cent stamp increase

Posted by | Apr 8, 2005 | |

The US Postal Service filed a request Friday seeking higher rates. The agency wants a 2-cent increase in first-class mail, and similar increases for other types of mail, to take effect early next year. It would increase the rate for regular mail to 39 cents from 37 cents. The agency said that it is seeking the increase, 5.4 percent across the board, only because of a requirement that it establish a USD3.1 billion escrow fund. The agency has sought congressional action to eliminate that requirement. If that happens, postal officials said, the rate increase request will be withdrawn. Postage rates last went up in 2002.

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Loss of social welfare deal could cost An Post EUR50m

Posted by | Apr 8, 2005 | |

The loss of the Department of Social Welfare’s business could cost An Post EUR50 million a year in revenue, damaging a fledgling recovery at the State company.
The proposal, part of a review of how welfare payments are paid, signalled last month, is to be discussed by the Minister for Social Welfare, Séamus Brennan, and the Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey, early next week. Mr Dempsey is the Minister responsible for the company. At present, An Post provides access to welfare payments for the majority of the 1.5 million recipients, but Mr Brennan wants to review the “effectiveness of the existing systems”. In addition, the legality of the current arrangement, whereby An Post delivers social welfare payments is being challenged in the European courts by a competitor. This has caused concern among post office staff and unions, who worry that An Post could suffer a significant drop in revenue if the Government switches entirely to electronic funds transfer (EFT).

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