Tag: North America

FedEx Kinko’s Survey Finds Small Businesses Concerned about Economy

Posted by | Apr 24, 2008 | |

FedEx Kinko’s, released the results of its national “Signs of the Times” small business survey, which found 89 percent of those small business owners polled were moderately to very concerned about the current economy’s impact on their business. Despite concerns, decreasing their marketing and advertising budgets is not a likely course of action. In fact, 92 percent of survey respondents say they will either keep their spending the same or increase it this year.
The online survey, conducted in March 2008 with nearly 500 small business owners and decision makers, identified significant trends specific to this important sector of the U.S. economy for the year. In addition to their concerns about the economy, 66 percent of those polled foresee flat or falling profits in 2008, but these companies are looking for ways to combat the tough economy in a cost-effective fashion. Moreover, 41 percent of responding businesses are considering an increase in spending on marketing and advertising initiatives this year.
Blasingame says small businesses often underestimate the basic elements of a marketing program. Only 32 percent of survey respondents said they believe that signs, banners and posters help drive business and customer traffic. According to Blasingame, the lack of good signs inside and outside the walls of small businesses is a missed opportunity—especially for those with modest budgets.

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SteelCloud awarded contract by U.S. Postal Service

Posted by | Apr 24, 2008 | |

SteelCloud, Inc., a manufacturer of embedded integrated computing systems for the industrial automation marketplace (“SteelCloud”), announced today that it has received a contract from the United States Postal Service Engineering Department for SteelCloud specialized servers. These are integrated servers using SteelCloud’s patent pending chassis which will be utilized in postal sorting facilities nationwide in support of the Automated Parcel Processing Systems (“APPS”). SteelCloud will manufacture the computers, integrate all components into specialized packaging, and provide fulfillment logistics to all of the APPS sorting facilities. The specialized servers will be delivered during the third quarter of 2008.

“With a current installed base of over 27,000 SteelCloud mail-automation servers, and with the addition of this new contract, it is clear that the U.S. Postal Service appreciates the long term value that SteelCloud solutions bring to their programs. A key factor in our success has been our engineering innovation and fulfillment capabilities and the U.S. Postal Service’s order validates their support of this achievement”, said Bob Frick, SteelCloud’s President and CEO.

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SteelCloud awarded contract by U.S. Postal Service

Posted by | Apr 23, 2008 | |

SteelCloud, Inc., an engineering and manufacturing integrator of network centric and embedded computing solutions today announced it has re-won a contract valued at over USD 8 million from the U.S. Postal Service Engineering Department for SteelCloud specialized servers. Deliveries will commence in April 2007 and continue for the remainder of the Company’s fiscal year which ends October 31, 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. Postal Service has an option to purchase additional servers which would result in a total contract value that exceeds USD 10 million.

“We are gratified to have been selected again by the Postal Service for this prestigious and important program,” said Clifton W. Sink, SteelCloud President & CEO. “With over 23,000 SteelCloud mail-automation servers already installed throughout the U.S., it is clear that the Postal Service appreciates the value the SteelCloud solution brings to the FRIP program. A key factor in our success has been our engineering innovation. We have designed a patent- pending chassis that protects each server from dust and vibration typical in mail-automation environments.

SteelCloud was initially selected for the FRIP program in December 2006 and has successfully won the re-compete, which stemmed from a protest by a losing bidder early this fiscal year. Due to a change in the solicitation requirements for the re-compete, the overall value of the contract was reduced.

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Canada Post and FedEx Express Canada set to launch new International Express Service

Posted by | Apr 23, 2008 | |

Canada Post Corporation and FedEx Express Canada have combined forces in the development of Priority Worldwide, a new international express service that will be sold in Canada through Canada Post’s retail and commercial networks and delivered worldwide through the extensive FedEx international delivery network. Priority Worldwide will be available to customers in the fall of 2008.

Priority Worldwide will offer an on-time, money-back guarantee and delivery standards of next business day by noon to most USA destinations and 2-3 business days to most of the remaining industrialized world. Other key features of Priority Worldwide include tracking, delivery confirmation and signature upon delivery.

Moya Greene, President and CEO of Canada Post said, “Globally, postal administrations and express companies are working together to improve service to their customers. This relationship with FedEx, a world class company, is not only consistent with that trend, it improves our offering to customers, strengthens our business and enhances our brand.”

“FedEx is making it easier for Canada Post’s customers to grow their businesses in a global marketplace,” said David Binks, President of FedEx Express Canada. “FedEx is pleased to be working with Canada Post and the collaboration allows postal users the opportunity and the ability to expand in the more than 220 countries and territories that our network supports.”

Canadian shippers will be able to use Priority Worldwide to send envelopes up to 500 grams, paks up to 1.5 kg and parcels up to 30 kg around the world with the full confidence that Canada Post, Canada’s most trusted federal institution, and FedEx, a trusted international express transportation company, are behind it.

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UPS releases first quarter results

Posted by | Apr 23, 2008 | |

UPS reported increased revenue in all segments with double-digit gains in both international package and supply chain and freight operations. A sharp decline in U.S. economic activity, however, led to a 9.4pct drop in diluted earnings per share to USD 0.87 compared to a prior-year adjusted USD 0.96.

In 2007, first quarter adjusted earnings per share excluded an impairment charge related to aging jet aircraft and expenses for a voluntary separation program. Including these charges, diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2008 increased 11.5pct over the USD 0.78 per share reported in the prior year.

For the three months ended March 31, 2008, consolidated revenue increased 6.5pct to USD 12.7 billion while consolidated average daily volume remained flat at 15.1 million packages per day. Consolidated average revenue per piece increased 5.4pct.

“U.S. economic activity deteriorated more rapidly than expected during the quarter,” said Scott Davis, UPS chairman and CEO. “While we will be extremely vigilant with respect to costs in this difficult environment, we will not lose our focus on growing the business. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure, new products and services that will enable our customers to succeed in the global marketplace.

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