Tag: Royal Mail

ByBox appoints new head of innovation

Posted by | Mar 21, 2007 | |

ByBox, the UK’s leading force in parts distribution, has further
strengthened its management team with the appointment of Mike Boxwell as Head of Innovation.

It is a completely new role and one which reflects the company’s commitment to innovation and technology.

With a background in IT, Mike has a long track record in the hand held scanner market with particular expertise in the courier and distribution industry.

Prior to joining ByBox Mike previously ran computer manufacturer Hand Held Products in the UK and also set up and ran Littlefoot which provides tracking and proof of delivery systems for major parcel carriers. Customers include La Poste, Royal Mail, DX, Amtrak, GeoPost and Business Post.

He has a strong knowledge of the parts distribution market having worked alongside ByBox for a number of years to provide hand held scanning solutions and will bring a valuable skill set to the already successful operation.

In his new role Mike will be involved in developing and managing a new scanning platform for ByBox’ unique network of electronic boxes whilst at the same time having specific responsibility for projects involving technology and innovation.

Mike is also no stranger to innovation having formed eBIKEshop in 2004 which
became the UK’s largest retailer of electric bikes. He sold the business at the end of 2005.

Aged 36 Mike is married with two young children.

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UK Mail heralds VAT breakthrough

Posted by | Mar 21, 2007 | |

UK Mail, the postal services arm of the Business Post Group, has secured an important breakthough that it is confident will soon see the launch of a brand new “Agent for Access” service. This will enable companies in the financial services and charity sectors to benefit from a downstream access postal service which they have previously been unable to enjoy. This unprecedented move extends postal choice to a whole new market of mailers and marks an important development for the deregulated mail sector.

Many of the largest mail users are businesses that are not VAT registered – such as banks, insurance companies and charities. Any VAT they are charged on services they use, has to be taken as a cost. This is down to the fact that they can’t charge VAT themselves when supplying their customers.

“Agent for Access” is the service solution tailored specifically to suit these businesses’ needs.

Up until now VAT rules have put this sector at an automatic disadvantage. Current legislation states that all postal operators (bar Royal Mail) must apply VAT to their postal charges, leaving non-VAT businesses with limited options. For them, enjoying UK Mail’s full range of service benefits has not always come with the same overall cost savings that UK Mail offers other mailers.

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Royal Mail union demands 27% pay rise and shorter working hours

Posted by | Mar 21, 2007 | |

Royal Mail is facing union demands for a 27 per cent pay rise that the post group claims will cost an extra GBP1 billion a year, The Times has learnt.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has asked for the minimum payment of its members to be brought into line with average basic pay in the UK. The main postal union is also demanding that its members work a 35-hour week, rather than the existing 40 hours.

The CWU says that postal workers, who earn a minimum of GBP311 per week, should be able to benefit from investment and improvements expected in the business over the next few years.

In a letter to Royal Mail, Dave Ward, the CWU deputy general secretary, said: “Given the proposed scale of change within the company, we require a pay settlement that achieves UK average basic pay for OPGs [outdoor postal grades]. This was set at GBP395 per week in 2006 and we are undertaking research to establish whether the figure has subsequently increased.”

The CWU says that the rise could be phased in, although Royal Mail said that the union had called for the increase to be immediate. Mr Ward said: “The business has a five-year plan for success and that must include raising the value and status of postal workers’ jobs in that timescale.”

The postal organisation, which has a pension deficit of GBP6.6 billion and recently reported a plunge in its profits, says that it cannot afford such a rise. A spokesman said: “This pay claim will cost us GBP1 billion at a time when we are facing full competition and the cost of servicing our pension deficit is pushing our profits down 86 per cent.” The group maintains that it already pays better rates than its competitors.

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Royal Mails Postal union demands 27% pay rise

Posted by | Mar 21, 2007 | |

Royal Mail is facing union demands for a 27 per cent pay rise that the post group claims will cost an extra GBP 1 billion a year, The Times has learnt.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has asked for the minimum payment of its members to be brought into line with average basic pay in the UK. The main postal union is also demanding that its members work a 35-hour week, rather than the existing 40 hours.

The CWU says that postal workers, who earn a minimum of GBP 311 per week, should be able to benefit from investment and improvements expected in the business over the next few years.

In a letter to Royal Mail, Dave Ward, the CWU deputy general secretary, said: “Given the proposed scale of change within the company, we require a pay settlement that achieves UK average basic pay for OPGs [outdoor postal grades]. This was set at GBP 395 per week in 2006 and we are undertaking research to establish whether the figure has subsequently increased.”

The CWU says that the rise could be phased in, although Royal Mail said that the union had called for the increase to be immediate.

The postal organisation, which has a pension deficit of GBP 6.6 billion and recently reported a plunge in its profits, says that it cannot afford such a rise. A spokesman said: “This pay claim will cost us GBP 1 billion at a time when we are facing full competition and the cost of servicing our pension deficit is pushing our profits down 86 per cent.” The group maintains that it already pays better rates than its competitors.

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Royal Mail reveals direct mail dip

Posted by | Mar 21, 2007 | |

The Royal Mail has released figures which show that direct mail volumes and expenditure are falling.

Volumes for 2006 were down to 5.03 billion items, a 2.1 per cent drop on last year’s figures. Total expenditure dropped from GBP2.37bn in 2005 to GBP2.32bn in 2006. Quarterly comparisons show volumes for October to December 2006 down 4.6 per cent on the corresponding quarter last year.

Royal Mail officials remain bullish, however, despite the results.

Leonora Corden, head of market development at Royal Mail argues: “This is the result of companies across all sectors improving their targeting to create even more relevant and personal offers for their customers and prospects.”

The company cites a growing reliance on direct mail by a number of industry sectors, including building societies, charities, government, health, media and insurance. Also noticeable is a rise in the volume of direct mail sent to the 55-64 year old age group.

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