Tag: Europe

Deutsche Post, Metro, GS1 joint venture cleared by EU

Posted by | Apr 11, 2007 | |

The European Commission said it has cleared Deutsche Post AG, Metro AG and GS1 Germany GmbH’s proposed acquisition of shares for joint control of European EPC Competence Centre.

The transaction was examined under the EU’s ‘simplified’ merger review procedure; cases which the commission believes do not pose competition concerns.

No financial details were disclosed.

Deutsche Post has postal, logistics and financial services. Metro is a supermarket group, while GS1 deals with data and goods traffic optimisation systems.

The European EPC Competence Centre runs tests on electronic transmitters provided with goods.

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Linehaul UK Ltd joins the Fortec team

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

Linehaul UK Ltd started operation in 2001 and joined Fortec in January 2007 and is responsible for palletised collection and delivery in the RH and TN area postcodes.

Hanson Masih, Sales and Marketing Director, Linehaul UK Ltd, commented: “Our decision to become a member of the Fortec Pallet Distribution Network was reached following an audit of a number of networks. We were attracted to Fortec for several reasons including it’s extensive reach offered throughout the UK and Internationally through it’s parent company Geodis; the solid operations infrastructure; and feedback from established members. Overall Fortec has ticked all the boxes in terms of what we were looking for in our search for a partner”.

With a dedicated team of 30 drivers and administration staff and a similar number of vehicles, Linehaul is now able to provide through Fortec, a nationwide and International palletised distribution service offering.

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APC plans growth through mini-hubs

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

APC Overnight, the next-day courier co-operative, is relying on “mini-hubs” to improve efficiency in the network.

One mini-hub already exists at Bellshill, Glasgow. From there, all cross-border Scottish consignments are trunked for sorting and onward distribution. Similar facilities are now planned for London, the West Country and the M62 corridor.

New hubs, new branding

“Mini-hubs are at the core of our growth strategy, ” said MD Quentin Abel. “With a huband-spoke system, everything goes into the main hub near Wolverhampton.

“Why should something from, say, the West Country go all the way to the Midlands and then all the way back? Not only is that an inefficient way to operate, but we are concerned that we are harming the environment.” Double-decker trailers are also helping APC to increase operational efficiency. Eight new double-decker trailers have been ordered at a cost of GBP 250,000 to allow more cages to be carried on key trunk routes.

In addition to the investment in vehicles, APC has spent over GBP 2m on re-branding, including a new logo, and an electronic driver communication system. The company is the first to use Intermec’s latest solution, the CN3, which combines GPS-based satnav, wireless LAN (local area network) and Bluetooth in one handheld device.

“The system will allow drivers to capture digital signatures for real-time proof of delivery – a first for APC – but, more than that, it will enable members to introduce dynamic planning and scheduling and task allocation, ” said Abel.

“This will enable us to give business and home consumers a greater choice of delivery time. The driver can send an SMS or email telling the recipient the estimated time of delivery – which we think we can do within a 20-minute accuracy – and if the customer will not be at home, he can arrange a more suitable time or take the package back to base – but without the extra effort of trying to deliver.”

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Hermes implements Motorola equipment to improve delivery times

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

The wide range of functionality and features that the Motorola devices offered also played a crucial part in Hermes’ decision. One of the functions that it required on its new mobile computers was a 2D imager to enable drivers to read any kind of two-dimensional code, such as PDF417, Datamatrix or QR-Code, as well as barcodes. Motorola’s MC3090 not only allows this advanced data capture, but can also store high-resolution pictures of digital-camera quality. The Motorola devices can therefore be used to provide evidence of damaged shipments on site. Additional functionality allows customer signatures to be captured and displayed on the colour screen, as well as displaying other relevant information about the delivery.

Hermes operates in harsh environments and its mobile computers are subjected to considerable stress. The MC3090’s rugged design and IP54-rated sealing ensure continued use and uptime by protecting against dust, moisture and extreme temperatures. But even the most robust and reliable products require a maintenance plan and support strategy, given by the crucial role they play in the Hermes logistics system. To meet these needs, Hermes chose Motorola’s comprehensive support agreement, which helps to minimise down time through a next-day promise to exchange damaged devices with new ones.
Motorola, Inc. announced that Hermes Logistics Group, Germany’s largest independent logistics provider, is replacing its existing data capture system with 23,000 MC3090s mobile computers to help streamline the delivery process and improve delivery times. 8,000 of the devices from Motorola’s enterprise mobility business (formerly Symbol Technologies) have already been deployed at Hermes Hamburg operations, and the remaining 15,000 devices will be rolled out over the next two years. The devices were chosen by Hermes because of their robust yet ergonomic design that allows them to be used in even the most demanding environments. Motorola is also providing special service and maintenance as part of the project. The project is being led by Motorola’s Premier Solution Provider, PDS Entwicklungs- und Service GmbH, known as a specialist for mobility IT solutions. PDS has also developed and customized the system software.

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An Post deal to double 3’s top-up distribution

Posted by | Apr 10, 2007 | |

3, Ireland’s mobile media network is to double its distribution network for 3Pay top-up vouchers in a new distribution deal an agreement with An Post.

The An Post deal gives 3 access to 4,000 top-up outlets nationwide including 1,000 post offices nationwide.

“This is a significant agreement for 3 giving us nationwide distribution through An Post and its retail partners, massively increasing the places our customer can top-up,” said 3’s head of customer relations, Peter Cogan.

“Not only does this bring more convenience for our customers but also opens up valuable revenue streams for 3.”

Eddie Manning, channel sales manager at An Post welcomed the 3Pay deal, saying: “An Post has unrivalled customer reach through a unique retail network of post offices and PostPoint outlets. We’re pleased to now offer customers the 3Pay option, a fine addition to our suite of convenient, value-for-money products.”

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