Tag: North America

US regional operator Velocity Express seeks international partners

Posted by | Feb 13, 2008 | |

Velocity Express plans to expand its international business and is looking for partnerships with logistics suppliers. The company meanwhile reduced its losses in the fourth quarter but its revenues also dropped due to customer losses.

The company said it is stepping up its focus on its Global Alliance initiative to capture the significant long-term opportunity in the worldwide marketplace.

Wasik, Velocity’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said the company has signed up Shanghai-based ALC Advisors to assist on the Asian component of the alliance. “We are also in discussions with potential partners in other regions of the globe and other industry segments,” he added.

Velocity Express also announced operating results for the second quarter and six month period. Revenue for the quarter ended December 29, 2007 fell to USD 86.1 million from USD 102.3 million in the same period one year earlier. This was due to the loss of two significant contracts with a financial institution and Office Depot, the end of unfavourable contracts inherited from the merger with CD&L, and the generally slow economic environment, which combined more than outweighed new customer acquisitions.

However, the company succeeded in reducing its Q4 operating loss to USD 3.9 million from USD 8.7 million one year earlier. The net loss was USD 8.9 million compared to USD 13.4 million one year earlier.

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Quebecor World Logistics First in Industry to Run Mixed Class Co-Mail to Help Customers Reduce Postal Costs

Posted by | Feb 13, 2008 | |

Quebecor World Logistics is the first in the industry to offer its customers mixed-class co-mail that combines Periodical and Standard class mail pieces into a single offline co-mail offering. This gives our customers improved flexibility of a pool but also the industry’s quickest turn-around time, unattainable in a single class co-mail run. The mixed-class, short-run pool conducted at Quebecor World Logistics’ Bolingbrook, IL co-mail facility will now become part of QWL’s superior co-mail process, creating enhanced value to Quebecor World’s quality print product.

Customers using Quebecor World Logistics’ mixed class co-mail solutions in combination with additional mailing optimization programs are able to realize savings on their overall mailing costs while improving delivery times.

In May of 2007, Quebecor World announced the expansion of its co-mail platform into the Northeast with two new 30-pocket machines. In addition, QWL entered into an exclusive two-year purchase agreement with SIM Products Co. for two 30-pocket co-mail machines and secured the option to purchase the next four machines produced by SIM.

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DHL Express USA to reduce workforce by 600 positions

Posted by | Feb 12, 2008 | |

In a move designed to lower general and administrative costs across its U.S delivery business—due to the current economic climate and market conditions—DHL Express USA said today it will reduce its workforce by approximately 600 positions.

DHL added that these domestic workforce reductions will occur through attrition, reductions, and suspending open positions across functional areas. DHL Express USA Spokeswoman Michele Nadeem told LM that these reductions will take place today and tomorrow.

Hans Hickler, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Express USA., said in a statement that this action is one of several measures DHL Express USA is taking to improve its competitive position in the U.S. market, which is strategic to the company’s global growth plan. “These changes will help us better align our cost structure without impacting our unwavering commitment to serve our US customers,” said Hickler.

Since then it has competed aggressively for market share against industry bellwethers UPS and FedEx, as well as the United States Postal Service. DHL said it has invested more than USD 3 billion into the U.S. since 2003, including USD 1.2 billion in infrastructure and distribution.

In the DHL statement issued today, the company said it is making moves to augment its competitive position in the U.S. by investing in business growth areas and increasing service to both consumer and business customers, as well as the non-cash writedown for DHL Express USA.

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DHL's operations are in full bloom this Valentine's Day

Posted by | Feb 11, 2008 | |

DHL is exporting an estimated 15 million fresh cut flowers from Latin America this Valentine’s Day season, for delivery to customers in the U.S. and around the world. A combination of roses, carnations, tropical flowers and greens originating from Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica has already made its way into the U.S., as well as other destinations that celebrate the February 14 holiday, including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia.

DHL consolidates floral parcels from growers in Latin America and protects the life of the flowers by using bonded cold storage facilities to keep the product cool prior to air transport and immediately upon arrival. Ninety percent of the floral shipments destined for the U.S. market go through Miami where they undergo agricultural inspection at the DHL terminal in Miami.

DHL customer VistaFlor Corp., a Colombian grower that exports bouquets, wedding flowers and arrangements to the U.S. for special occasions, will see its export volume soar from its normal average 5,000 boxes of flowers per week to as many as 53,000 boxes during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. In addition to maintaining VistaFlor’s shipments at the required 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 4 degrees Celsius), DHL handles the shipment documentation, freight brokerage, customs paperwork and clearance processes.

For its U.S. customers, DHL will deliver millions of flowers to retailers and consumers on or before February 14. DHL in the U.S. has added refrigerated trucks and dedicated flights exclusively for some of the most popular floral retailers and e-tailers.

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