Tag: Courier/Express/Parcels

DHL investigates the use of biodiesel for its fleet in the UK

Posted by | May 11, 2007 | |

A UK division of the international DHL logistics group, DHL Exel Supply Chain, has started to investigate the possibility of operating its delivery vehicles using 100% biodiesel.

DHL has undertaken this project in partnership with JD Wetherspoon and Argent Energy UK, a producer of biodiesel. The project will involve recycling and re-processing cooking oil, previously used to cook meals in Wetherspoons pubs, for further deliveries back into the pub estate.

Test runs on an initial trial vehicle will begin end of May to prove the feasibility and assess maintenance and operational requirements before rolling out the program to the wider distribution fleet.

Bill Bacon, National Account Director from DHL Exel Supply Chain said: “We are committed to being an environmentally responsible business and are always looking at innovative ways to create sustainable supply chains. This is a superb example of everyone’s collaboration into exploring new technologies and alternative fuels that could potentially lead the way into long term sustainability. As the leading provider of contract logistics services we have a responsibility to set best practise solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of our vehicles.”

Andy Hunter from Argent Energy, said: “We specialize in producing biodiesel by recycling by-products of other industries, specifically tallow and used cooking oil which are both by-products of the food industry. Our stringent quality assurance procedures ensure that all our output is of the highest quality and that we can produce biodiesel to customers’ precise specifications. More and more businesses are looking at ways to reduce their carbon footprint and we are delighted that our expertise has been called on in this innovative project.”

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Sharp suit with an iron hand in a woolly glove

Posted by | May 11, 2007 | |

The Guardian photographer is trying to make Adam Crozier relax. He tells him to loosen his shoulders and Crozier, sitting stiffly and gripping a Royal Mail mug, makes an effort to shrug a little. The photographer asks him to stand. “If you can get your back against the wall,” he says. Crozier does as he is told and looks like he is facing a firing squad.

I had first met Crozier some 12 years earlier, on the day he and Tamara Ingram were named joint chief executives of the advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi. Maurice and Charles Saatchi had just walked out and taken most of the senior staff and some of the biggest clients with them. Crozier was just 31 and looked even younger. The more energetic Ingram did much of the talking. Against the odds, they held the business together. She went on to carve out a successful career in advertising and now manages the USD 1bn Proctor & Gamble advertising account. But Crozier was the one to step further into the public eye. He was chairman of the Football Association at 36 and chief executive of the Royal Mail by 39.

It is an odd career path on paper – Crozier admits with a laugh that his CV might suggest he is someone who doesn’t know quite what he wants to do. But there are common threads. Each has involved periods of painful upheaval. A business studies student might call it change management. Each of them has also been high profile – he was a familiar fixture behind former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson during FA press conferences – but still the spotlight makes him shudder. “I hate it,” he says in his soft Scottish accent. “Absolutely hate it. The bizarre thing about the last three jobs I’ve done is that I don’t like [the public profile] at all. I will go to enormous lengths not to do public things – because it is just not me.”

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GLS ups profits, eyes Europe, express growth

Posted by | May 10, 2007 | |

GLS, Royal Mail’s European parcels company, again grew rapidly last year and is planning to expand in Southern Europe and broaden its portfolio with more express services, according to CEO Rico Back.

In 2006, the parcel logistics operator increased revenues by 8.7% to EUR 1,595 million and improved its operating profit (EBITA) by 15.4% to EUR 179.4 million, he told the German transport newspaper DVZ in an interview. Volumes grew by 6.9%, including an increase of 20.1% in cross-border shipments.

In the financial year ending March 31, 2006, GLS increased operating profits by 37% to GBP 100 million (EUR 146.8 million), its revenues rose 13.6% to GBP 1,037 million (EUR 1,522.6 million), and volumes grew 14% to 293 million parcels. GLS said in May 2006 that it aimed for turnover of EUR 1.6 billion in 2006/07.

Back said that he aimed to strengthen GLS’ business in Italy and Spain this year. In Italy, the operator is currently represented through a franchisee. Back recently told German media that GLS is in talks to acquire a Spanish company. A start-up business is planned in Romania.

The GLS chief executive also said that the operator planned to expand its express services this year but did not provide any further details. GLS launched a small air express operation last autumn, linking Germany and the UK, and said that this would be extended to more European countries.

Back told the DVZ that GLS had no plans to enter the German mail market once it was liberalised due to the dominance of Deutsche Post and mail substitution by electronic communications. “There is no growth there. That is why the mail market is unattractive really,” he said.

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Royal Mail’s apprenticeship scheme shortlisted for prestigious awards

Posted by | May 10, 2007 | |

Royal Mail’s commitment to the workforce of the future has won its apprenticeship scheme a coveted position in the shortlist for the 2007 World Mail Awards prize.

Seen as the “Oscars” for mail companies around the world the Royal Mail scheme is vying for top honours in the People Management section of the awards.

Since its launch in 2005 the Apprenticeship Scheme has established its own qualification framework by working with outside bodies, including the Sector Skills Council, and has already seen a huge jump in the retention rates of young people and a drastic reduction in the levels of sickness.

Royal Mail’s Skills Deployment Manager Cheryl Simons said: “Prior to the introduction of the Apprenticeship Scheme Royal Mail identified specific problems with the young people who joined the organisation. The scheme aimed at attracting, developing and retaining high-calibre postmen and women, developing talent and managers of the future and developing business culture at the front line of the business.”

The scheme is open to new and existing employees aged 16-24. Recruits follow a flexible 18-month programme and as well as undertaking a full range of tasks across the business they complete a Level 2 NVQ in Mail Services. The scheme also allows the identification of some recruits to be a coach to other apprentices or manager in the future.

The World Mail Awards aims at encouraging best practice within the mail industry worldwide. The People Management award recognises that postal authorities are among the world’s largest employers and internal relationships and good people management significantly reflect on the competitive advantage and success of the company.

Final judging will take place hours before the gala dinner on May 21st at the Novotel London West Hotel, London.

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Indian Airlines partners with GATI for courier service

Posted by | May 10, 2007 | |

Indian Airlines partnered with logistics cargo industry major GATI Ltd to launch a joint courier company, IC-Zipp. The two were working together for 11 years and the idea of this joint venture was to have synergy between the large air and surface networks. IC-Zipp will be launched in 119 cities in the first phase. The product will be priced in the range of Rs 50 to Rs 150 for 500 gm. The other features of the product include door pick-up, real-time tracking and 24-hour service, said a statement issued by the company. IA’s director (commercial) Anita Khurana said: “Amid a robust trade and business growth environment, companies can now seamlessly access the networks of two market leaders. So, whether it’s a business proposal, signed contracts, mass mails, print proofs, small packages or architectural drawings, customers can rely on our extensive network to get courier delivered on time.”

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