Estimated market size for the UK-B2C market
Estimated market size for the UK-B2C market
Read MoreTag: Courier/Express/Parcels
DHL Packstations headed for nationwide coverage in Germany
DHL has announced plans to double its network of automated parcel drop-off and collection points for private customers in Germany and complete nationwide coverage by 2009.
The DPWN subsidiary said it will add another 1,500 machines to the existing 900 Packstations by the end of 2009. As a result, 90 pct of Germans will then be able to access one of the 2,400 Packstations within 10 minutes.
Customers can use Packstations to ship and collect parcels and packages 24 hours a day. In addition to the 13,500 retail outlets and 1,000 parcel mailboxes that will be available by 2008, the increased number of Packstations will give the parcel service of Deutsche Post World Net the densest web of parcel collection and mailing points in the German market by far.
The roughly 900 German Packstations are currently used by 700,000 registered customers, and the trend is still pointing upward. The offer has been embraced with particular enthusiasm by singles and working people as it allows them to dispatch and collect their parcels entirely independently of traditional home delivery and without having to pay heed to the opening times of retail outlets.
Already today, most Packstations allow customers to dispatch their EU-wide shipments without prior registration as the necessary parcel and package stamps are also available at the Packstation – for one euro less than at the retail outlet. In addition, the Packstation accepts C.O.D. parcels up to a value of 1,500 euros.
Read MoreFedEx Kinko's continues to expand footprint
In early August, FedEx Kinko’s made two major announcements. First, the company announced an aggressive expansion plan to open 300 new office and print centers in the United States throughout fiscal 2008. The company also will redesign 110 existing centers and introduce 20 new locations internationally. A few days later, FedEx Kinko’s announced plans to open five office and print centers in the McCormick Place convention center and historic Navy Pier in Chicago. So when you show up at Graph Expo in September, although the new FedEx Kinko’s sites will not have been formally launched (scheduled for later in September), they will reflect the FedEx Kinko’s brand.
WhatTheyThink spoke with Tom Leverton, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at FedEx Kinko’s, to learn more about the company’s expansion plans. Leverton leads FedEx Kinko’s domestic retail expansion operations and manages the company’s digital networks and centralized production facilities. His responsibilities include strategy, network operations, national retail product businesses, supply chain and real estate. He joined FedEx Kinko’s in 2001 as vice president, strategy and business development and later expanded his role to vice president, strategy and marketing. Leverton’s professional experience also includes corporate strategy, finance, business development and consulting with TXU Energy, Bain and Company and Johnson & Johnson.
Read MoreNightspeed integration boosts Amtrak’s turnover to £100m mark
Amtrak Express Parcels has completed the integration of overnight parcel carrier, Nightspeed, which Amtrak acquired in 2005. The move has seen Amtrak’s turnover increase to £100 million, and its customer base increase to 8,500 customer accounts.
The expanded Amtrak business now incorporates 25 former Nightspeed locations with a network of 100 depots.
Amtrak has retained the Nightspeed name for specialist services not previously offered by Amtrak, including the high security overnight delivery service – Nightspeed Secure Express.
The integration has enabled Amtrak to re-structure its network to improve regional coverage, with a number of new regional depots and a new North West of England hub to handle extra capacity. The Amtrak commercial vehicle fleet has also been expanded, and now includes 2,000 delivery vans.
The Nightspeed acquisition has boosted Amtrak’s presence in a number of key B2B sectors, providing additional volumes that compliment Amtrak’s home delivery services.
According to Amtrak CEO Jonathan Smith, this is the first time two UK parcel networks have been fully integrated.
“We could have taken an easier route but we wanted to create a bigger and stronger business by building on Nightspeed’s strengths,” said Smith. “Now that the integration is complete, we can capitalise on the business potential that was so evident at acquisition. The integration has not only given us a boost in capacity and an increase in volumes, but also entry into some appealing new markets such as high security express services and government mail.”
Read MorePurolator opens state-of-the-art hub in St-Laurent, Québec
Purolator Courier Ltd., overnight courier company, today announced that its state-of-the-art facility in St. Laurent, Québec, is now open for business. Equipped with the latest package sortation capabilities and scanning technologies to serve the Quebec market, the 160,000 square foot facility is Purolator’s most efficient and technologically advanced hub in Canada.
The new Montréal hub is located on a 37.5 acre site located at 5000 Boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, adjacent to Aéroport International de Montréal Pierre-Elliot-Trudeau. Working with a staff of 350 employees and automated conveyable sorting and scanning technology, the facility has the ability to process 24,000 pieces of conveyable freight per hour as well as provide customized solutions and enhanced service to customers. The hub is designed to accommodate future growth for the next several years.
The opening of the new Montréal hub represents a key milestone in Purolator’s company-wide investment strategy that is introducing new options, new solutions and new capabilities to its customers. Introduced in 2005, Purolator’s transformation includes an increased investment in technology, infrastructure, processes and employees. The roll-out of the transformation is currently underway and will bring new strengths, increased reach and scope of network – making it easier to find distribution solutions that fit customer requirements as well as ensure that it consistently delivers the customer experience that has enabled Purolator to become Canada’s largest courier.
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