Tag: Germany

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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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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Fraport invests in China

Posted by | Apr 9, 2007 | |

Fraport AG, operator of Frankfurt airport, Europe’s biggest air cargo hub, has acquired a 24.5-percent stake in China’s X’ian airport.

Fraport Chairman Wilhelm Bender said the 50-million euro (USD67-million) investment was a “first step” toward further acquisitions in China, the world’s fastest-growing freight and express market.

It follows Fraport’s move into another Asian growth market, India, where it recently signed an agreement to modernize New Delhi’s airport.

State-owned China West Airport Group, the previous operator of X’ian, will continue to hold the majority of shares in the airport, which is situated in Shaanxi province in central China. Fraport expects to obtain approval from the Chinese government and complete the transaction by the third quarter of this year.

Fraport said it will take part in the commercial development of X’ian, including the construction of a second runway and extension of its terminal.

The X’ian acquisition vaults Fraport ahead of its main European cargo rivals, Paris, Amsterdam and BAA, owner of London Heathrow, which don’t yet have a presence in China.

Fraport also operates several airports in Germany, including Frankfurt Hahn, an all-cargo hub, as well as overseas, in Bulgaria, Turkey, Peru and Egypt.

The deal follows earlier moves into China by Fraport’s biggest customer and third-largest shareholder, Lufthansa, whose freight unit, Lufthansa Cargo, has established cargo joint ventures at Shenzhen International and Shanghai Pudong airports. DHL, another leading customer at Frankfurt airport, also flies to X’ian as part of its recently-established Chinese domestic air freight service.

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DHL launches trade software

Posted by | Apr 9, 2007 | |

Global express and logistics company DHL launched on April 9 a final enhancement to its Global Trade Services platform.

The new feature expands and completes the comprehensive GTS suite launched in late 2006, the company said. Along with features for importers/exporters, brokerage and trade automation, the new feature called Trade Advisory Services is designed to facilitate cross-border trading by helping businesses manage complex duty regulations, shorten lengthy business processes, and lessen the stress of global trade management.

US-based consultants Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services developed the new feature in partnership with DHL.

TAS includes services to help obtain necessary certifications for C-TPAT and AEO. It provides assistance, advisory and management activities for duty preference and origin programs such as duty reduction and duty deferral schemes. The program will help customers modernize existing customs or import/export systems and procedures, as well as offer a customs training program to businesses to equip their staff with relevant technical knowledge to handle customs compliance issues and trade complexities. It also provides classification codes, analyses and arguments that can be put forth to customs authorities along with assistance in gaining classification rulings in certain countries.

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GO! to invest EUR 7m in new German hub

Posted by | Apr 5, 2007 | |

German express operator GO! will invest EUR 7 million in a new hub in central Germany to cope with its volume growth.

Construction work on the “HUB 2020” at Niederaula in central Germany is scheduled to start in May and completion is due by the end of this year. The sorting terminal will initially cover 3,600 sqm on a site covering 30,000 sqm and is planned to be expanded in stages in the years up to 2020.

GO! said that a new building was necessary to replace the existing facility at nearby Neuenstein which no longer had sufficient capacity to cope with its volumes. At present, about 10,000 shipments are sorted and prepared for onward transport within a time-frame of three hours.

“The sorting capacity will first be designed for 6,000 shipments per hour and can be increased to 13,000 shipments per hour,” explained GO! managing director Ralf-Hans Dierks. The new hub, with its modular expansion options, would have sufficient capacity for the next 10-15 years, he added.

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