Challenges and lessons learnt from the implementation of sequence sorting at Norway Post
Challenges and lessons learnt from the implementation of sequence sorting at Norway Post
Read MoreTag: Networks
Reviewing sequencing: analysing the effects, with a special case study on the Austrian Post
Reviewing sequencing: analysing the effects, with a special case study on the Austrian Post
Read MoreCapitalising on opportunities in retail networks: improving the customer experience and service offering
Capitalising on opportunities in retail networks: improving the customer experience and service offering
Read MoreCouncil bids to run post offices
Essex County Council has become the first local authority in the country to discuss taking over the running of post offices earmarked for closure.
The council is negotiating a buy-out price from the Post Office and said some 15 branches could be saved within two months.
The closures in Essex were among 2,500 nationwide announced in 2006 in a bid to stem network losses of GBP 4m a week.
Postal affairs minister Pat McFadden has given approval to the scheme.
The council set out to allay fears that council tax payers could end up subsidising what has been a loss-making business.
It said it believed it could make a profit by combining postal services with council services.
Councillor Stephen Castle said some 15 other local authorities had expressed an interest in its project and the Post Office said it was willing to work with others on similar takeovers.
“We have had interest from right across the country – people are clearly very worried about the future of their post offices,” said Mr Castle.
Council leader Lord Hanningfield called the move a “unique and groundbreaking” deal but said there is still work to be done to assess the financial merits of the plan and how best to serve the community.
“Because of this, it is too early to mention specific branches at this stage.”
The aim was for any investment to be used over three years to help each branch to move towards becoming financially self-sufficient and “cost neutral” to the council, he said.
Read MoreTNT Post to strengthen retail network
TNT Post, part of TNT N.V., published a press release announcing the opening of 750 new sales outlets in shops in the Netherlands. TNT Post’s current services at 1850 shops will remain unchanged, providing consumers in the future 2600 points at which to transact postal business. The press release also states the joint intention of TNT Post and Postbank to transfer their services from the 250 main post offices to existing and new locations in their own networks by the end of 2012. This will involve discontinuing their partnership in Postkantoren BV (a 50/50 joint venture of TNT Post and Postbank), but continuing to work together at 550 of the in total 2600 locations in shops.
With the announced strengthening of the retail network TNT Post wants to further improve its service on the Dutch market. The increase of the number of sales outlets will enable customers to do their postal business closer to home. Having more shop-based sales outlets will improve customer satisfaction with regard to opening hours, waiting times and accessibility.
TNT Post estimates that in 2008 the restructuring costs involved in discontinuing the existing joint venture in Postkantoren BV is expected to be around EUR 70 million before taxes. Furthermore it is expected that, as the result of one-off items and the savings achieved, the expansion and modification of TNT Post’s retail network from 2009 through to 2012 can be achieved with a slightly cash positive balance. From 2013, full implementation of these plans is expected to contribute a structural annual operational cost saving of EUR 45 million compared to the level of 2007. From these cost savings an amount of EUR 25 million comes on top of the earlier communicated savings target for master plans of EUR 370 million in the period 2007 – 2015. As a result the target is increased to EUR 395 million euro.
TNT Post and Postbank will make available the financial resources necessary for Postkantoren BV to offer a social plan aimed at guiding all employees into new jobs and avoiding forced redundancies as much as possible.
A request for advice on these plans will shortly be submitted to the Works Council.
Post & Parcel Magazine
Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.