Tag: Australia Post

Australia Post delivers more mail and record profits

Posted by | Oct 17, 2007 | |

Australia Post earned a record pre-tax profit of USD 561.7 million in 2006/07 (up 8.9 per cent on the previous year), according to the corporation’s Annual Report, which was released today.

This record financial result underlines the strength of the postal corporation, with revenue growth in all three of its core business areas – letters, parcels and retail – also contributing to record-high revenue of USD 4.71 billion (up 4 per cent).

Australia Post’s 2006/07 Annual Report also indicates that Australian mail volumes are continuing to grow – despite predictions that paper-based mail would decline in the era of electronic communications.

Domestic letter volumes grew by 1.9 per cent (or 93.1 million items), which is the strongest increase in letter volumes since the 1990s. And domestic parcel volumes increased by 3.7 per cent – making this the fifth successive year of robust growth for Australia Post’s parcels network.

Australia Post met or exceeded all of its customer service charter commitments during 2006/07. This includes on-time letter delivery performance of 96.3 per cent (up from 95.6 per cent last year).

Other key results and highlights from the 2006/07 Annual Report include:
– a record net profit of USD 400.7 million
– return on revenue of 11.9 per cent
– productivity improvement of 3.2 per cent
– total mail volumes increased by 1.8 per cent to 5.51 billion items
– the delivery network now reaches 10.26 million addresses (up 218,000 on previous year)
– the maintenance of Australia’s largest retail network, with 4,449 postal outlets
– workplace safety improved, with a record low LTIFR of 7.4 lost-time injuries per million work hours
– the launch of a new brand advertising campaign: Australia Post – Part of every day.

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Lifestyle banking at your service

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

BankWest joins the growing list of banks and wealth management firms eager to retain customers and win new ones by providing finance-related services in a more relaxed setting, complete with a place to read, cafe and even a mini-shop to buy office stationery.

While lifestyle banking is not new, with some branches decked out like airport lounges complete with a Starbucks café, BankWest takes the promotional strategy a step further by introducing what it calls “retail-inspired” branches. For example, weekday closing hours will be extended to 5.30pm (other banks have done this) and branches will be open on weekends.

But in what it claims is an Australia first, the new BankWest “stores” will sell non-financial products such as books, wallets, address books, writing pads, business card-holders and key-rings.

And just like the children’s play areas common in retail stores, BankWest stores will also feature kids’ entertainment areas and play café-style music.

The bank’s strategy comes at a time when the lines are blurring between how a retail store and a traditional bank operates. In the UK, grocery chains such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco’s have started offering financial products such as credit cards and insurance. WestBank reverses that trend by selling non-financial products. The strategy has worked spectacularly with the likes of the Australian Post Office and Starbucks expanding into books and CDs.

“People will always need banks, but I’d expect that what a bank looks, feels and smells like will change fairly radically. The bank of the future is a combination of convenience and experience,” said trend forecaster Richard Watson of the Future Exploration Network. His comments also reflect the emergence of mobile banking, where people would rather do their banking transactions in the comforts of their own home rather than in an office.

However, the formula is not foolproof. Financial services group Superwoman is yet to gain traction despite opening a head office in the Sydney CBD that is decked out in funky furniture and had planners available after work hours or during lunchtime, supposedly ideal for the CBD’s female workers.

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Australia Post launches rub-and-sniff mail

Posted by | Oct 2, 2007 | |

Australia Post is urging businesses to get up the noses of their customers with rub-and-sniff mail.

“The list of aromas available is extensive with everything from fruits, ice cream and freshly cut grass to wine, pizza and coffee,” said Australia Post product manager, Melanie Kenter.

“Scent-infused ink is printed straight onto a mail pieced as part of the print production process. Once printed, the aroma is released with a simple rub of a finger across the surface.”

The scented mail has been launched in tandem with the Impact Mail service, which allows businesses to send items of almost any shape without the need for an envelope.

“Scented mail and Impact Mail demonstrate the unique nature of direct mail. It is a very personal medium that appeals to all senses. You can hold and unfold it, read and see it, hear it and now even smell it,” said Kenter.

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Post workers set to strike up to 48 hrs

Posted by | Oct 2, 2007 | |

Australian Post workers are set to strike if their claim for a better deal on wages and conditions is rejected.

More than 10,000 staff took part in a ballot, with about three quarters supporting industrial action.

Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU) national president Ed Husic said workers would roll out work bans and stoppages if Australia Post refused to negotiate over a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).

He said the union wrote to Australia Post yesterday asking them to return to the negotiating table.

Australia Post last month announced an immediate four per cent pay rise for its employees, rising to 12 per cent over two-and-a-half years.

But the union wants five per cent guaranteed in the first year.

It also wants penalty rates and job security conditions protected and an independent umpire to enforce the EBA.

Australia Post has said the offer was well above inflation and would lock in entitlements and award conditions.

If Australia Post refuses to resume wage talks, workers will start rolling four hour, 24 hour and 48 hour stoppages.

They will also introduce bans on overtime and the checking and collection of unpaid mail.

Mr. Husic has not set a deadline for strike action and was hopeful the dispute could be resolved in days not weeks.

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