Tag: Courier/Express/Parcels

FedEx Celebrates Domestic Service One-Year Anniversary

Posted by | Jun 24, 2008 | |

As part of the one-year anniversary of its domestic service launch in China, FedEx Express (FedEx) announced its latest domestic service enhancements in China.

FedEx domestic service now offers an earlier next-morning delivery to nine major cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Kunshan, Wuxi, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Ningbo. Packages will now reach their destination by 10:30 a.m., Monday – Saturday, all with the FedEx money-back guarantee.

Customers within the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Suzhou, Kunshan, Wuxi, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Ningbo) and the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Foshan, Zhuhai, Huizhou and Jiangmen) will be offered later cut-off times for intra-region shipments. The cut-off time in those cities will be extended to 9 p.m.

Since FedEx began domestic time-definite service in China last year, it has continued to invest in local infrastructure and expand its services and coverage. Through its domestic hub at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport and the partnership with Okay Airways, FedEx successfully introduced its unique hub-and-spoke system to China. After one year of operation, the next-morning delivery service has expanded from 19 cities to more than 40 cities, while the second-day delivery service reaches customers in more than 200 cities throughout the country.

To keep pace with China’s rapidly changing market, FedEx has constantly upgraded its domestic services in China. Last September, a string of service enhancements were introduced, and last December, FedEx equipped the domestic service couriers in 20 cities with the latest GPRS Trackers, which provide real-time information about the location and status of customer’s packages.

Read More

UPS shares at 4 1/2-year low after profit warning

Posted by | Jun 24, 2008 | |

United Parcel Service Inc shares fell 4.6 percent on Tuesday to their lowest point since late 2003.

UPS’s announcement came just a week after main rival Memphis-based FedEx Corp posted a quarterly loss and gave a weak profit outlook for its fiscal 2009.

The warning, which weighed on U.S. stocks, was the latest sign that corporate America could no longer brush off surging energy prices. Crude oil prices have roughly doubled over the past year.

UPS shares dropped USD 3.06 to USD 63.20.

The Dow Jones transportation index .DJT, which also includes airlines and railroads, was down 1.3 percent.

Like other major companies in the U.S. transport sector, UPS passes on higher fuel costs to customers. But as BB&T Capital Markets analyst John Barnes wrote in a note to clients, “fuel prices may have reached a tipping point at which many shippers are simply unwilling to pay the higher fuel surcharges.

Late Monday, UPS said it expected to earn between 83 cents and 88 cents per share in the second quarter, down from a previous range of 97 cents to USD 1.04.

In a statement, the company said U.S. package volume had been lower than expected, while demand for higher-priced air delivery services had seen a particular drop.

UPS also said that the “anemic U.S. economy is negatively impacting volume into the United States, affecting results for the international segment.”

In recent quarters, strong international package demand has helped both UPS and FedEx offset lower growth in their domestic services as U.S. economic growth has slowed.

Read More

DHL and Abu Dhabi Customs jointly launch new customs clearing service

Posted by | Jun 24, 2008 | |

DHL Express and Abu Dhabi Customs today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the first Electronic Data Interface (EDI) system for the logistics sector in Abu Dhabi, that will ensure faster clearance of goods imported into the capital city.

The new system called the ‘Gold Card’ programme, allows DHL customers to lodge and complete customs declaration processes prior to the arrival of their goods.

Using DHL’s EDI Solution, customers can now send their shipment information electronically and receive customs clearance confirmation within a few hours, with shipments cleared in the air before landing in Abu Dhabi.

The new system improves the previous customs clearance process that took an average of 24 hours to complete following the arrival of the goods.

DHL has also taken many other measures to help improve business in Abu Dhabi, including the recently launched clearance office in Gwaifath, which borders Saudi Arabia.

The strategically positioned office enables immediate clearance of trucks in and out of the UAE, and allows the company to dispatch bonded shipments directly from the Jebel Ali free zone hub reducing transit time.

The new office at the border is also the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi to be operated by an express service provider, again demonstrating DHL’s pioneering and market-leading position in the region.

Read More

ParcelXchange Worldwide success in France

Posted by | Jun 23, 2008 | |

Business Direct, the UK’s leading developer of ‘intelligent drop box’ logistics solutions, has commenced a trial of the ParcelXchange with Ciblex in France. This comes only a short time after the company decided to offer national Post Offices and local logistics service providers outside the UK access to its intelligent advanced technology.

Ciblex is the leading pre-8am parts delivery provider in France, formerly part of the successful Hays Group of companies. After researching the supplier market, Ciblex recognised the dynamic capability and benefits of the ParcelXchange modular locker system as a perfect solution to complement their existing network. They strongly believe that the ParcelXchange will add a dynamic and innovative solution to give them competitive advantage within their growing supply chain capability.

ParcelXchange will provide Ciblex’s customers the benefit of 24/7 convenience, with completely secure and controlled access for both the collecting and returning of goods through the Ciblex delivery network. The specific nature of the new modular style ParcelXchange offers the potential to have as many different configurations as each of the individual locations within the Ciblex network needs.

Ciblex already has over 400 locations with key lockers but feels that the addition of real time reporting and secure ATM access will help their existing B2B business and also with their B2C business. The company believes that the ParcelXchanges will provide a cost-effective consolidation of the deliveries, while maintaining their already high levels of customer service.

Teddy Megarbane, Ciblex President, stated, “The new modular intelligent ParcelXchange is the most exciting opportunity to happen in the in-night real-time inventory management sector in France for a long time. This is another example of Ciblex continuous investment in the business and this innovative new modular locker system with its SoftLocker ATM style technology, supplied by ParcelXchange Worldwide will ensure we are well positioned to constantly meet the growing needs of our customers”.

“We have produced a cost effective, sustainable, flexible solution for the ‘last mile’ in the delivery process,” says Business Direct’s ParcelXchange Worldwide MD, Tim Houstoun. “Ciblex now has the opportunity for an even greater competitive advantage in their B2B marketplace for deliveries and managing returns and in developing a network of ParcelXchanges, can also engage in using the system network for other B2C, consumer to consumer (C2C) services.”

Read More

TNT mulls new logistics depot in Bulgaria

Posted by | Jun 23, 2008 | |

International courier company TNT announced intentions to station its new logistics complex for Eastern Europe in Bulgaria, TNT Airways managing director for Eastern Europe Niki Terzakis was quoted by Bulgarian daily Dnevnik as saying on June 23 2008.
Terzakis said that the need for the new depot meshed well with plans for aggressive expansion in Bulgaria, as well as with the availability of a score of high-profile clients with potential interest in using the hub.
According to Terzakis, the main predicament to the development of the transport and courier services were heavy bureaucracy, public administration’s inflexibility and the complicated regulatory regimes.
In Bulgaria, TNT is present only through its express transportation services division, its postal business yet to set foot in Bulgaria.
In related news, TNT’s international rival DHL announced it would allow Bulgaria’s Customs Agency full access for tracking parcels. The motion will be legitimised through an annex to the 2000 memorandum between DHL and the Customs Agency aimed at fighting drug trafficking.

Read More

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

P&P Poll

Loading

What's the future of the postal USO?

Thank you for voting
You have already voted on this poll!
Please select an option!



View ResultsHide Results

Post & Parcel Magazine


Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.

Subscribe to the Magazine

 

Pin It on Pinterest