Tag: International

Earth Class Mail Plans Retail Stores, Raises USD 13 Million

Posted by | Jan 11, 2008 | |

Earth Class Mail has closed USD 13.3 million in Series A funding, according to CNET. Ignition Partners of Bellevue, Washington, led the round, and more than half of the money was raised by Keiretsu Forum. Earth Class Mail customers have their mail sent to the company rather than a personal address. Then letter openers, staffed with disabled veterans with Department of Defense security clearance, scan the envelopes and upload images to the Web. Customers then decide which items to have opened and read, recycled, or forwarded.

Earth Class Mail’s users recycle 90 percent of mail received, whereas only 20 percent of mail delivered to someone’s door gets recycled. With the new funding, the company plans to open a chain of retail stores, beginning in Manhattan early this year.

One recent study revealed that many consumers think direct mail accounts for more waste than is actually the case.

ViaPost, which plans to launch soon in the UK, claims to cut carbon emissions from postal deliveries by 20-25 percent.

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DHL becomes official express and logistics partner for IMG's Fashion Weeks worldwide

Posted by | Jan 11, 2008 | |

DHL will become the official express and logistics partner for IMG’s Fashion Weeks around the world, a series of prestigious shows produced and/or represented by IMG Fashion in ten countries spanning four continents each year. Following a year working with IMG Fashion in the U.S. market, DHL is now increasing its relationship as the official international express and logistics partner of these events.

First in its lineup of events will be the Milano Moda Uomo, held from 12 – 15 January, 2008, in Italy and then at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin that will take place from Jan. 27 – 31 January. Other shows will continue throughout the year. DHL will use these events to strengthen its business penetration with the fashion, apparel and retail industries.

Maintaining a partnership with many well known fashion labels and top brands of the apparel industry, the logistics experts at DHL have been working for years to develop tailor-made transport solutions that address the latest trends in the fashion world and meet the specific needs of individual customers. DHL’s presence in more than 220 countries and territories ensures that the creations of international designers arrive at major fashion shows right on time.

At the beginning of 2007, DHL and IMG Fashion reached an agreement that made the company the official express and logistics partner for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. This partnership is now being expanded around the world.

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FedEx expands portfolio of services with launch of FedEx International Economy in Asia Pacific

Posted by | Jan 10, 2008 | |

FedEx Express today announced the expansion of its customer portfolio of services with the launch of FedEx International Economy service in ten Asia Pacific markets.

FedEx International Economy is an economical, day-definite, customs-cleared, door-to-door service that features a transit time typically one to two days longer than premium FedEx International Priority service, which is designed for more time-sensitive shipments. The new service effectively addresses the needs of customers in Asia shipping intra-Asia and to the U.S. and Europe, who look for reliability and cost efficiency as a top priority in shipping.

FedEx International Economy is specially designed for customers with less urgent shipments of individual packages under 68kg, but who require the reliability they have come to expect with FedEx. No weight restrictions apply for multi-piece shipments. Offered on competitive list rates and backed by a money-back guarantee, FedEx International Economy typically delivers intra-Asia packages in two business days, and shipments to the U.S. and major markets in Europe typically in three to four business days. As with the FedEx International Priority service, customers can use www.fedex.com for online tracking with proactive e-mail notification in 16 languages.

FedEx International Economy service is now available in 10 APAC markets: Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. It will be available in March in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

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UPS volume no longer seen as long-term gauge

Posted by | Jan 10, 2008 | |

UPS’s shipping volumes used to be a good indicator of how the economy would be doing down the road — but no longer thanks to changes in how its business customers operate, the package shipper’s top executive said Wednesday.

D. Scott Davis, who became CEO and chairman of the package shipper on Jan. 1, told attendees of a Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce breakfast that fluctuations in the company’s fortunes once foreshadowed the economy’s direction.

But its volume has become more of a real-time indicator in recent years as many retailers and other shippers have switched to so-called “just-in-time” operations to reduce their inventory levels, said Davis, who is also vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Davis declined to disclose recent trends in UPS’ shipments, but said the risk of a recession has increased after retail sales growth over the Christmas shopping season dropped to its slowest rate since 2002. UPS will report its fourth-quarter financial results at the end of this month.

Separately, UPS said Wednesday it will repurchase up to USD 10 billion in company stock within the next two years, and it has decided it will take on greater debt to allow it to make more investments in its business.

UPS said its board of directors has authorized an immediate increase in the amount of funds available for stock repurchases from roughly USD 2 billion to USD 10 billion. It added that the repurchases may take the form of an accelerated share repurchase program, open market purchases or other unspecified methods.

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UPS rises on upgrade to 'Outperform'

Posted by | Jan 10, 2008 | |

Shares of United Parcel Service Inc. rose last Thursday 09 January after a Bear Stearns analyst upgraded the stock, citing a slew of catalysts for long-term growth including current troubles at rival FedEx Corp.

Analyst Edward Wolfe raised his rating on UPS to “Outperform” from “Peer Perform,” saying the company is well positioned to grow once the domestic economy begins to improve.

He expects the company to steer guidance lower in the next few quarters as domestic freight demand remains weak and pricing stays competitive. But a settled Teamster contact, changes in senior management, and rival FedEx Corp. ‘s ground unit woes should all benefit UPS in the long-term, Wolfe said.

The company signed a five-year contract with the Teamster union in late November. In December, former Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Scott Davis took the reigns as chairman and chief executive, replacing retiring Mike Eskew.

The company also announced a change to the top post of its Asia Pacific unit Tuesday, in which Ken Torok will be replaced by Senior Vice President Derek Woodward.

Wolfe said FedEx should continue to lose business to UPS as troubles at its ground unit could lead to higher costs and slower growth. He reduced his 2009 earnings expectations for FedEx Corp. by about 5 percent, but left his 2008 expectation unchanged.

Shares of UPS rose USD 2.76, or 4.1 percent, to USD 69.47 in midday trading, while FedEx shares gained USD 1.40 to USD 84.14.

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