Tag: Europe

MPs warn competitive pressures threaten ability to cross-subsidise

Posted by | Mar 6, 2007 | |

Competitive pressures on Royal Mail are threatening its ability to cross-subsidise unprofitable activities, MPs will today warn, in a report highlighting concerns about the government’s plans for the loss-making Post Office network.

The trade and industry committee is likely to examine the impact of existing price controls on the state-owned postal operator, its chairman told the Financial Times. “There may well be a case for looking again at the regulatory regime,” Peter Luff said. His committee’s report cites a number of state contracts Royal Mail has lost to rivals since the postal market was opened fully to competition last year. Royal Mail’s loss of profits is “inevitably threatening the cross-subsidisation of its unprofitable elements, including the post office network”, the report states.

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Postcomm welcomes extensions of commissioners' terms

Posted by | Mar 6, 2007 | |

Nigel Stapleton, chairman of Postcomm, the independent postal regulator, today welcomed the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry’s decision to extend the terms during which Simone Bos and Tony Cooper will serve as Postcomm commissioners.

Mr Cooper’s term of office has been extended by two years and Ms Bos’ appointment has been extended by six months so that she can participate in finalising Postcomm’s Strategy Review.

Tony Cooper was appointed a commissioner on 1 June 2000. He combines his work for Postcomm with roles as non-executive director of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; chairman of the Board of the Combined Nuclear Pension Trustees Ltd and as a Forestry Commissioner. Mr Cooper is the former joint general secretary of Prospect, the union for engineers, scientists, managers, professionals and specialists. He is also a former member of the General Council of the TUC.

Simone Bos has been a commissioner since March 2004, when she was appointed for a three-year term. Based in the Netherlands, Ms Bos works as an independent consultant in business strategy and European affairs. She combines her role as Postcomm commissioner with memberships of the supervisory board of the state-owned Holland Casino, the Board of the Female Cancer Program Foundation, the External Advisory Board IBMS/INHOLLAND (University of Applied Sciences) and a regional UNICEF management committee.

Ms Bos’ extension will run from 1 April 2007 until 30 September 2007, and Mr Cooper’s extension will start from 1 June 2007 and end on 31 May 2009.

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Correos implements the ‘Mercury' track & trace system

Posted by | Mar 6, 2007 | |

Correos has established its new information system, ‘Mercury’. Based on ‘Track & Trace’ technology, the new system allows Correos to track the 220 million registered shipments it manages every year.
‘Mercury’ allows Correos’ customers to check the status of any shipments sent. Customers can check their shipment status online or by contacting either the call centre or the post office involved. Correos customers will soon be able to access their shipping information via mobile phone.

‘Mercury’ is a part of the Integra Plan, an initiative that encompasses all the projects and development plans promoted by Correos in order to equip itself with the most modern and efficient TIC, information technology and communications equipment and strategies.

The new application, uses self-adhesive bar coded labels and radio frequency identification tags to provide information on the shipment route. This gives shippers precise information allowing staff to pin point the exact location of any item as it is processed.

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Mail Fullfillment Services & P-DM Direct Marketing Solutions

Posted by | Mar 6, 2007 | |

we are a provider of Direct Marketing, Mailing Fullfillment Services and new Digital Marketing Solutions, and have just moved our production facilities to purpose built premises in Cambridgeshire.

In addition to our envelope inserting and polywrapping facilities, we are also able to offer design and print services, offering you a complete solution for your mailing requirements.

We are also a provider of new technologies and are a Sony solutions provider, our latest product “p-DM” is set to revolutionise the way that companies communicate with and manage their customers.

We recently completed a project with Audi on the launch of their new 4×4 the Audi Q7, the first ever in the UK.

p-DM has proved very successful, with it’s unique “Track & Trace Facilities”, increased response rates and full usage reporting and customisation. It is a brand new product to the UK so holds many opportunities.

Full details of our services are available on our website: www.firstmailing.co.uk

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DHL Slovakia turnover up 18%

Posted by | Mar 5, 2007 | |

DHL Express Slovakia has reported turnover up 18% to over SKK 1 billion (EUR 29 million) last year, with the number of international shipments increasing by 12% to around 200,000.

Laurenc Svitok, DHL Express Slovakia CEO, told the Sita news agency the growth was due to the carrier offering a broader range of services, as well as a stronger Slovak economy and higher foreign investment.

Last year, DHL opened three new facilities in the country at Banska Bystrica, Ruzomberok and Kosice, Sita said.

According to a CEP-Research study last year, the Slovakian courier, express and postal market was worth EUR 65 million, which would make DHL the clear market leader among foreign carriers.

Slovakia is yet to realise its potential as an express market, however, despite its location between neighbouring Austria and the larger Czech and Hungarian economies, the study said.

Driven by EU accession, central and eastern Europe markets are now achieving above-average GDP growth rates, attracting international investors and generating new flows of imports and exports.

Annual express market growth rates of 30% or more are not uncommon in many countries in the region.

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