Tag: Australia

Postal costs to rise – Australia Post

Posted by | Aug 31, 2008 | |

Despite an AUD 562 million profit last year, Australia Post will put up postal charges from next month.

The cost of posting a standard letter will rise to 55c from September 15, a 10 per cent rise.

But Australia Post argues it is the first for five years and is justified because of rising costs.

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has approved several increases including a 10c rise for large letters and greeting cards to AUD 1 and barcoded letters up from 95c to AUD 1.08.

Pensioners are not happy.

“It may be only a small rise, but it’s still 10 per cent after all,” said Charmaine Crowe, policy co-ordinator of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association.

“Older people do use email, but . . . if they cannot afford a home computer then a large number still rely on sending letters.”

She said it strengthened the case for a rise in pension payments.

1 USD = 1.07044 CAD

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Toll underlying profits rise despite overall loss from Virgin sale

Posted by | Aug 26, 2008 | |

Toll Holdings announced a heavy full-year loss due to selling off its 63 pct stake in airline Virgin Blue but unveiled a strong rise in underlying profits.

In the year ending June 30, 2008, the group, which includes major express, parcel and courier businesses, made an overall net loss of AUD 695 million (EUR405 million). But this included a loss of AUD 952 million on discontinued operations, including a heavy AUD 1.2 billion writedown on the value of the Virgin Blue stake.

Toll announced in July that it would dispose of its holding in Virgin Blue by paying its shareholders a special dividend in the form of Virgin Blue shares. The group had previously said that the passenger airline was not a core business and that it wanted to focus on its global logistics activities while using the airline’s freight capacity under a long-term commercial agreement.

Net profits from continuing operations rose by 24pct to AUD258 million (EUR 150 million) on revenues up by 15.4pct to AUD5, 605 million (EUR 3,270 million). The operating profit (Ebit) was up by 18pct to AUD429 million (EUR 250 million). Toll managing director Paul Little commented: “We are pleased with the performance of our core operations, the integration of several new acquisitions and our balance sheet strength, which will all support our ongoing strategic development.”

In Australia, revenues grew to AUD4.42 billion thanks to 7.5pct organic growth and various acquisitions, including several express companies (Victorian Express, Couriers Australia and SkyNet). Operating profits were up 18pct at AUD347 million. The express operations, Toll noted, represent about 35pct of divisional revenue of AUD4.6 billion, or approximately AUD1.6 billion.

Toll IPEC, the road parcel express business, performed strongly during the year, benefiting from integrating services with group warehousing and distribution operations and utilising its comprehensive network to grow market share.

Looking ahead, Toll said that there is no deterioration in the Australian market yet, notwithstanding a number of challenging factors including increased interest rates, high fuel prices and currency volatility. In particular, it expected to benefit from more Australian companies looking to source directly from Asia.

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Sony outsources all logistics to DHL (AUS)

Posted by | Aug 26, 2008 | |

Sony Australia will outsource the company’s logistics operation to a third party supplier, DHL Exel Supply Chain. The partnership with DHL follows a review prompted by the expiry of the lease of its warehouse facility at Chullora, NSW. The new arrangement will be effective from 19 February 2009.

Carl Rose, Managing Director of Sony Australia, said: “The alliance with DHL will provide Sony with greater flexibility in managing fluctuations in the demand for warehousing. As a business, it allows us to adapt to the needs of our retail partners across the country and reflect the seasonality of the consumer electronics market, variance in product sizes and weights, market conditions and import trends.

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ACCC clears 5c postage stamp price hike

Posted by | Jul 31, 2008 | |

The consumer watchdog has cleared the way for Australia Post to seek government approval for a five cent increase in the cost of a basic postage stamp.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says is not objecting to the postal monopoly’s plan to charge 55 cents from September 15.

“Because the proposed price increases do not involve Australia Post over-recovering the costs of providing … letter services,” commission chairman Graeme Samuel said.

But Australia Post’s proposal did not provide “sufficient certainty” to satisfy customers.

“Therefore, in its decision, the ACCC has established a framework for future price notifications that will encourage Australia Post to continue to reduce costs, improve productivity, and provide more certainty for customers,” Mr Samuel said.

The last time Australia Post increased the cost of the basic postage stamp was in 2003.

It will need approval from the federal government before implementing the increase.

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Hino hybrid and TNT express win transport awards

Posted by | Jul 22, 2008 | |

Australia’s first hybrid eco-truck has swept the field in the annual Transport Awards.

PowerTorque magazine presented Hino’s hybrid with the 2008 Technology and Innovation award.

And it recognised TNT Express as the first major courier and parcels delivery company to actively pursue the introduction of eco-friendly transport.

TNT Express has put 10 Hino Hybrid trucks on its national fleet.

TNT Express determined that the Hino Hybrid diesel electric hybrid emits 14 per cent less carbon dioxide than a conventional diesel engined truck of equivalent size.

The company estimates the saving will average 1600 kilograms of CO2 a year per vehicle.

Hino has committed itself to actively promote hybrid as a viable transport resource, especially in urban and suburban deliveries.

The company has spent more than two years promoting the concept in Australia and is now gearing up for a roll-out of new models.

The Hino Hybrid can shut down its diesel engine when the vehicle is stopped and smoothly restart when it is time to move off.

The vehicle captures energy generated under braking and returns it to special batteries for later use in the hybrid system.

TNT Express has further added to the green credentials of its 10 Hino Hybrids.
It has fitted special, strong polypropolene bodies for weight saving and recyclability, and a roof spoiler designed to cut wind drag during travel on many of the 80km/h ring roads which service major cities.

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