If you have to tell others that you’re interesting, it’s likely the opposite is true. This is the situation that Consignia finds itself in – repeatedly.
The name change itself tells much of the story. The two businesses that most people, had they a wish to, could define as ‘the postman’ and ‘the post office’ have reinvented themselves under a modern-sounding umbrella brand for a new competitive era.
Read MoreItaly’s postal system requires more competition than allowed at present, Italy’s European Affairs Minister Rocco Buttiglione said on Wednesday. ‘Further liberalisation is required for the postal market,’ said Buttiglione, who was speaking at a Rome conference held by the Italian international air couriers’ association AICAI. While Buttiglione did not specify what degree of liberalisation he favoured, he said that essential services should remain the preserve of the post office. Italy’s post office has a monopoly on mail weighing below 350g or costing less than 3.1 euros.
Read MoreSHIPPERS using FedEx Express’s International Priority Direct Distribution service for multiple-recipient shipments can now consolidate packages under one international airwaybill.
FedEx has launched Single Point of Clearance (SPOC) which allows customers to consolidate, clear Customs as one consolidated shipment and deliver to multiple final recipients in up to 12 different European Union countries from the USA and many countries in Asia.
PARCELFORCE, the loss-making arm of Consignia, the postal group, is to try to make a quarter of its drivers self-employed in an effort to cut costs and boost productivity.
Under the scheme, which has the reluctant backing of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), drivers will be offered the option of giving up permanent employment and an average salary of Pounds 15,500, for a new contract based on the number of parcels they deliver.
Drivers will be asked for an initial Pounds 1,000 down payment to cover the lease of a delivery uniform and Parcelforce van.
The division wants to put the first of about 1,500 “owner-drivers” on the road by Christmas.
Belgian Post Group (BPG) wants to close over a third of the 1,350 post offices in Belgium, as they are unprofitable. The social consequences will be limited as the operation will be spread over five years and part of the staff will be transferred to the new-style post offices which will be opened from May 2002.
A limited number of the 400 offices to be closed may still be saved via agreements with the local authorities. Under the terms of these agreements, councils would pay the rent of post office buildings while BPG would supply the staff.
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