Tag: North America

Electronic bill payments show marginal growth (U.S)

Posted by | Jul 7, 2008 | |

The share of bills consumers pay the old-fashioned way via the regular mail continues to decline, according to the U.S. Postal Service’s most recent annual study about what goes through the mails. But despite the gains of electronic bill payments, the availability of free bill-pay service at most banks may be slowing what had been a rapid run-up in the volume of electronically processed bill payments as banks dropped their fees. As a result, billers likely will continue to send many paper bills and consumers will pay them by mail for the foreseeable future.
Results from the Postal Service’s recently released Household Diary Study for fiscal year 2007 show the percentage of bills paid by electronic methods primarily automatic deductions from checking accounts, and the Internet increased from 19 pct in 2003 to 32 pct in 2007. In contrast, bills paid by mail decreased from 74 pct to 62 pct of total payments during the same time.
Looked at another way, paper bill payments now account for less than a quarter of what the Postal Service calls “transactions mail” a category that includes bills, statements, confirmations, orders, and rebates. “Electronic diversion continues to erode the volume of mail payments in favor of online payments, automatic deductions from bank accounts, and other electronic methods of bill payment,” says the survey report. “As a result, the share of bills paid by mail dropped from 25.3 pct of total mail transactions in 2005 to 23.6 pct in 2007.”

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USPS' revised network plan released

Posted by | Jul 4, 2008 | |

The US Postal Service has just submitted to congress a revised network plan. These plans are not final and are subject to negotiations. UNI Post & Logistics affiliate, NPMHU (National Postal Mail Handlers Union) has been looking into the plan and is concerned with the issue of plant consolidation, as well as the potential subcontracting of work now being performed at the Bulk Mail Centers. The NPHMU will vigorously oppose this and pursue all its negotiated rights to protect mail handlers’ jobs.

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TNT on course for growth

Posted by | Jul 4, 2008 | |

TNT says it is well-placed to ride out the effects of any global economic downturn thanks to minimal exposure to the US domestic market.

Last week, rival FedEx reported a fourth-quarter net loss of USD 241m (GBP 121m) and full-year net income of USD 1.13bn (GBP 568.3m), down some 44 pct on the previous year, mainly caused by the weak US economy.

And fellow US-based operator UPShas already warned of falling domestic demand.

However, Marie-Christine Lombard, group MD for TNT’s Express division, says: “We are not affected by the US slowdown – we have no exposure in the US, in some ways to our great regret and in others not.”

In a reference to DHL, which has recently announced large-scale cutbacks in its US operation, she adds: “[DHL] has paid for it – and now you see what the result is. When you have very strong operators in very mature markets it is very hard to enter the market late.”

Despite the sell-off of its logistics arm in 2006, TNT is still targeting growth in the plus-30kg consignment sector, such as pallets and other oversized express freight, says Lombard.

“What we have found is that clients trading on express flows have other flows that they would like to use TNT for. We want to capture those and arrange solutions for our clients.”

Marketing and Sales Director Jan-Willem Breen says that a broad product offering, particularly what it describes as “Economy Express”, is also helping the firm to survive the downward economic pressure by allowing its customers to switch traffic to cheaper ground-based options.

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4th International Award for Customer Value Management

Posted by | Jul 4, 2008 | |

Colleagues and Friends,

I am thrilled and proud to announce another great achievement for Canada Post’s Customer Value Management (CVM) team. On June 30th, we were awarded an International Business Award (sponsored by Dow Jones) in the category of Customer Service – CVM’s 4th international award since 2007.

The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honouring great performances in business. Nicknamed the Stevie for the Greek work “crowned,” the award will be presented to winners at a gala dinner on Monday, September 8 in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, Ireland.

Recipients of the International Business Awards were selected from more than 1,700 entries received from organizations and individuals in more than 30 countries. Other finalists in our category include British Telecom Global Services, John Hancock Signature Services, Epicor Software, the Prudential, and Marriott Vacation Club International.

This recent award is further recognition that the Customer Value Management program at Canada Post is a recognized best practice and showcases our ability to compete against well-recognized multi-national organizations world-wide.

To those who have made a contribution, supported, or have expressed interest in this important initiative, my sincere thanks.

Janet LeBlanc
Director, Customer Value Management

Canada Post
N0280-2701 Riverside Drive, Ottawa K1A 0B1
Tel: (613) 734-6780
Fax: (613) 734-4392
email: [email protected]

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US Postal Service plans to overhaul delivery network

Posted by | Jul 3, 2008 | |

The U.S. Postal Service plans to close dozens of facilities across the country as part of a major reorganisation, a move that could save millions of dollars and create a more flexible postal network. But the plan is certain to spark a fresh round of bickering with the agency’s strong labor unions.
Last month, the agency released a plan for overhauling its delivery network. The so-called network report calls for closing airport mail facilities, consolidating bulk mail centers and streamlining the computer software that maps postal routes. The closures could lead to the elimination of hundreds of jobs and more outsourcing.
Postal officials say the changes will help revitalize a decades-old network.
The first facilities to close under the network plan are the airport mail centers (AMCs), which transfer mail between distribution centers and commercial airlines working under contract with the Postal Service.
Up until a few years ago, the Postal Service had mail contracts with more than a half-dozen carriers at many airports, and the centers were hubs of activity. But the agency has consolidated its contracts: At many airports, only one or two carriers handle mail. That means less work for the AMCs.
The Postal Service is also trying to ship less volume through the airlines because of rising fuel costs and increasing delays at many airports.
The Postal Service has closed 54 AMCs under a consolidation plan dating back to 2006. Williamson expects “a few” AMCs to keep running, but he couldn’t say how many or which ones. The agency expects to save USD 117 million between now and 2009 through reduced work hours and lease expenses.
And now the agency is starting another round of consolidations at its 400-plus mail processing facilities. The Postal Service will spend two years soliciting expert study and public opinion to decide which facilities to close.

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