Implementing the Intelligent Mail® Barcode
Implementing the Intelligent Mail® Barcode
Read MoreTag: North America
Getting Smart About Intelligent Mail
Getting Smart About Intelligent Mail
Read MoreEarth Class Mail Plans Retail Stores, Raises USD 13 Million
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.
Read MoreUPS Freight announces 2008 rate adjustment
UPS Freight announced a general rate increase averaging 5.4 percent covering non-contractual shipments in the United States and Canada.
The increase goes into effect on Feb. 4, 2008, and applies to minimum charge, LTL and truckload (TL) rates.
“We are continuing to improve service to our customers and to provide the latest technology,” said UPS Freight President Jack Holmes. “On Jan. 1, UPS began offering on-time guarantees at no additional charge to customers on the current base UPS Freight tariff for shipments moving within the continental United States.”
Also beginning this month, customers can process both package and LTL shipments in the UPS WorldShip® system, an enhancement that’s already exciting customers, Holmes added. In addition to being able to create a Bill of Lading (BOL) for LTL shipments, UPS WorldShip users can send e-mail notifications, save BOL’s for later completion, import commodities and view their negotiated rates.
UPS Freight, the over-the-road heavy freight division of UPS, offers a full range of regional, interregional and long-haul LTL and TL capabilities in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam along with comprehensive cross-border service in Canada and Mexico.
Read MoreUPS rises on upgrade to 'Outperform'
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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