Tag: Courier/Express/Parcels

Adtio Gives DHL an RFID Boost in HK and China

Posted by | Aug 24, 2007 | |

Adtio Group Limited, a leading RFID solutions provider in Asia, announced that it has been awarded a contract by DHL Exel Supply Chain (HK) Limited (DHL) to improve warehouse operations efficiency with its RFID technologies in Hong Kong and China.

Adtio will deliver RFID total solutions, including Adtio Smart-i RFID System (EPC compliant RFID Middleware and EPCIS Server), RFID readers, tags and integration services, to track the movement of case and pallets into and out of the warehouse, and share this information with shippers via EPCnetwork.

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New ‘high speed’ In-bound European Logistics Service from Business Direct

Posted by | Aug 23, 2007 | |

Business Direct Group plc. has set up a subsidiary company in Germany in advance of the launch of a dedicated inbound European ‘high speed’ through the night logistics service into the UK.
Business Direct GmbH has already opened an office at the local airport Niederrhein Weeze on the Dutch-German border for the 5 times a week nightly air bridge service into Coventry airport in the UK. Negotiations are at an advanced stage for a dedicated charter aircraft ready for the launch of the new service that cannot be achieved using scheduled services.
The new ‘high speed’ through the night service offers, computer, electronics and materials handling manufacturers with European-based distribution centers very late cut off times of 8pm for pick up and delivery into the UK before 8am the next morning. Niederrhein has been chosen as the European hub of this new through the night service as its location is near several hundred major distribution centres in Holland and North Western Germany and provides a straightforward collection opportunity.
Business Direct’s inbound European air service provides a completely seamless service linking directly in to its national network of over 300 Parcel Exchange facilities throughout the UK, in-boot service and next day technical courier services or direct into the manufacturer’s parts dealerships.
The other major advantage of this through the night service is that it will enable major suppliers of spare parts into the UK from central stocks in Europe to eliminate the need to hold stocks in the UK and therefore significantly reduce inventory, warehousing and distribution costs.

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City Link H1 profits and revenues up strongly

Posted by | Aug 23, 2007 | |

and profits in the first half of 2007 following its acquisition of rival Target Express and due to good organic growth ahead of the overall market, parent group Rentokil Initial announced in its interim report today.

The parcels firm, which claims to be one of the domestic market leaders, increased half-year revenue by 148.5 pct to GBP 203 million (EUR 300 million) from GBP 81.7 million in the first half of 2006. Excluding acquisitions, organic revenue growth was 9.7 pct compared with estimated market growth of 4 pct, the group pointed out.

City Link improved half-year adjusted operating profit by over 75.9pct to GBP 24.1 million, representing a profit margin of 11.9pct. Second-quarter figures were similar, with revenue up 127.9 pct and adjusted operating profit up 73.8pct.

In 2006, City Link had an operating profit of GBP 32.6 million on revenues of GBP 213.3 million. The company bought Target Express in November 2006 and a number of franchise operations during 2006 and 2007.

City Link’s B2B revenues, which account for about 70 pct of its network turnover, were strongly ahead of last year during the first half, the group said in its half-year report. However, there was evidence of some down trading and slower sales growth in the B2C segment in the early months of the year.

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UPS has moved way beyond boxes

Posted by | Aug 22, 2007 | |

UPS ranks among the top freight haulers at Miami International Airport, the busiest international cargo airport in the country.

The company’s sprawling warehouse in Miami also stores goods from China to be shipped out as needed to Central America and beyond.

Over the past decade, UPS has been on a buying binge to expand “end-to-end” services to clients in Latin America.

It bought Miami-based carrier Challenge Air Cargo, acquiring key flight routes to the region. It bought a customs brokerage to help ease the flow of goods across borders. Plus, it bought an information technology parts and service business that sends technicians to fix computers and critical equipment at banks and other businesses in Latin America, drawing on parts that UPS ships and stores.

UPS now employs more than 5,000 people in its Latin American regional operations, including hundreds in Miami.

One fast-growing business segment is running warehouses and distribution for clients, using its high-tech systems.

Services now run the gamut from dispatching some 400 field engineers to fixing computers to financing its customers.

Through UPS Capital, the company helps clients with billing and collections. It even offers loans for companies to expand and trade more through UPS.

Analysts say UPS distinguishes itself from fellow delivery giants FedEx and DHL by its attention to detail and well-engineered processes: Driver manuals provide routes with fewer left-hand turns to save time at intersections. It is the only one to offer financing. And it is by far the most profitable, said analyst Jindel.

For the future, opportunities still abound. UPS aims to expand business within countries overseas, such as trucking between Chinese cities.

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FedEx Ground Continues Its Contractor Battle

Posted by | Aug 22, 2007 | |

FedEx has lost another round in court in the latest chapter of a long-running dispute that is being closely watched for its potential influence on how companies outsource jobs to independent contractors.

FedEx Ground, a division of FedEx Corp., lost an appeal in California in August over whether a group of former route drivers whom the company considered independent contractors should actually have been treated as employees. FedEx Ground saves millions of dollars in costs, including payroll taxes and employee expenses, by categorizing some 15,000 drivers around the country as independent contractors.

But a three-judge California Court of Appeal panel held last month that the drivers who sued, despite owning their own trucks, were controlled by the company in much the same way as employees would be, and as a result they should have been compensated like employees.

Although the decision applies to just 200 drivers who worked for FedEx Ground in California, attorney Lynn Faris, who represented the drivers, said the decision sends a strong message to corporate America. FedEx can still appeal to the California Supreme Court, but Faris said the fact that a lower court and an appeals court have now ruled against FedEx should be a warning to other companies using or contemplating similar independent contractor arrangements.

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