DHL Express opened a new parcel terminal in Gdansk, northern Poland, it was reported on November 25, 2005. DHL Express invested 3.3 mln euro (USD3.9 mln) in the Gdansk parcels sorting and processing centre, which is the fifth one opened in 2005. The terminal is expected to process 15,000 parcels per day.
Read MoreThe Paris district court has said that it will not rule until November 29 on a challenge by French postal unions to the company agreement of Efiposte, the investment arm of the French post office (La Poste). The unions are asking for the agreement not to be applied to the transfer of 900 La Poste employees to that organisation’s new postal bank.
Read MoreFollowing the Federal Council’s decision in September to open up the postal market, letters weighing more than 100 grams will be subject to VAT from 1 April 2006. This will mean an extra VAT bill of around CHF 30 million for Swiss Post, part of which it will cover itself. In addition, the price of certain products will be reduced. Only B4 letters weighing between 101 and 500 grams will be slightly more expensive; for letters with proof of delivery there is now a single, efficient and economic option: registered mail. For many corporate customers, these slight adjustments will mean a drop in prices as they can claim back the VAT from the tax authorities. The price of letters weighing less than 100 grams remains unchanged. The price watchdog has approved the new prices.
Read MoreExpress parcel carrier Parceline has invested pounds 550,000 by taking on premises formerly owned by brewer Scottish and Newcastle. Previously based on Gateshead’s Team Valley, Parceline has re-located to Monkton Business Park in Hebburn, South Tyneside. Parceline depot manager Colin Edwards said: “We’ve already created five new jobs and there is the potential to expand further over the next 12 months.” The new 4.8-acre site includes a 29,000sq ft warehouse and office space.
Read MoreA warning was issued yesterday that the future of fragile rural communities could be at risk if the Government fails to pledge greater commitment to safeguarding sub-post offices. Allan Reid, Lib Dem MP for Argyll and Bute, is calling for a long-term promise of support for rural post offices. “We have already seen the Clydesdale Bank closing branches and, if the sub-post offices close as well, it’s going to kill a lot of villages, because usually the post office is combined with the local shop, so that will go as well. At the moment there is a guarantee against unavoidable closures of rural post offices, but that stops next year. “The Government has a package in place – a nationwide subsidy – to support local post offices, but that runs out in 2008 and I know that the future of local post offices, without a guarantee for their long-term future, is very bleak.” As well as committing to a long-term subsidy of rural post offices, the Government needs to allow small branches to deal with more transactions, such as vehicle taxation, he said.
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