Tag: Switzerland

Swiss Post: Ultra-modern technology on a conventional stamp

Posted by | Oct 31, 2007 | |

Swiss Post is issuing the world’s first stamp with an integrated BeeTagg, combining a conventional stamp with ultra-modern technology. Swiss Post’s partner in this first tagging venture is Schweiz Tourismus, which is using the stamp and integrated BeeTagg as part of its winter advertising campaign. The mobile tagging solutions have been developed by Swiss Post subsidiary yellowworld AG.

Some time ago, a new application was developed for the mobile phone, increasing its versatility even further. The new technology is called mobile tagging and is available regardless of which service provider the user has chosen. It enables the user to establish a connection to a predefined and mobile-friendly web page via their mobile phone. The BeeTagg is a two-dimensional code that looks like a honeycomb and functions in a similar way to a bar code. The user simply installs the free BeeTagg reader, then scans the tag incorporated into the Swiss Post stamp with the camera on their mobile phone. The reader recognizes the tag and connects the phone to a predefined web page.

Similar codes have long been used in Japan, but what distinguishes the BeeTagg from these is the fact that it was developed and optimized specifically for mobile tagging. The BeeTagg does not look like a conventional technical barcode. It can incorporate logos, pictures and text. As even tiny BeeTaggs can still be read, they are particularly suitable for products with densely packed information, for example stamps, newspapers or packaging.

Mobile tagging has enormous potential and opens up new methods of marketing and communication. By incorporating BeeTaggs into adverts or billboards, companies can enter into contact with potential customers and direct them to their websites.

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Good performance for Swiss Post

Posted by | Oct 30, 2007 | |

In the first three quarters of 2007, Swiss Post generated Group profit of 699 million Swiss francs. This is an increase of 98 million francs year-on-year. Almost all units contributed to the good result, albeit to varying degrees.
In the first nine months of 2007, Swiss Post beat the previous year’s result by 16.3 pct. As at 30 September 2007 Group profit came to CHF 699 million (2006: CHF 601 million). Almost all segments at Swiss Post contributed to the profit, albeit to varying degrees.
Compared with 2006, operating income rose by CHF 675 million (11.9%) to CHF 6,334 million. PostFinance, PostLogistics, Swiss Post International and New Business (MailSource and GHP Group) contributed to the growth in earnings. The share of New Business in the operating income rose from 3.1% to 7%. The effect of acquisitions on operating income amounted to 249 million francs. At CHF 415 million, investments, which mainly went into the new letter centres, were generally above the previous year’s level (CHF 318 million) and were completely financed by Swiss Post’s own funds.

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IPC leads environmental sustainability initiative

Posted by | Oct 19, 2007 | |

The International Post Corporation (IPC) announced today at its bi-annual Board meeting in New York City, its plans to develop a three-tier program to address environmental sustainability among its member posts. The program will focus on developing common sector-wide definitions and measurement systems; conducting stakeholder research and communicating sector-wide advances in environmental sustainability throughout the postal industry.

“Climate change is no longer an issue of debate,” said Jean-Paul Bailly, chairman and CEO of Groupe La Poste in France and chairman of the IPC Board. “Two prominent areas for concern to postal operators and our industry stakeholders are the operation of extensive road and air transport networks and issues related to direct mail, a strategically critical business for posts.”

Mr. Bailly added, “Because of the sector-wide urgency of the issue, the IPC Board will devote its annual conference this May to develop a common environmental sustainability initiative and map the way forward for the postal industry.” The conference, Leadership through Sustainable Development: Postal Industry Challenges and Opportunities will take place on 29 and 30 May, 2008 in La Chapelle en Serval, France. CEOs representing 24 member postal organizations and several selected CEOs from both inside and outside the industry are expected to attend.

Last month, IPC conducted a members’ forum on the subject of environmental sustainability, where it was decided that IPC should take a leadership role in providing the platforms for members to come together to define the way forward for the sector.

IPC has been a leader in providing postal delivery measurement systems for nearly 20 years, we are the natural partner for the postal industry and it makes sense that we are the organization to develop a common system for environmental measurement and research among the posts,” said Herbert-Michael Zapf, CEO and president, IPC.

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Hermes expands to Italy

Posted by | Oct 16, 2007 | |

Hermes Logistics Group has acquired a stake in Italian parcels and logistics company Swiss Post Porta a Porta, having taken over 30 pct of the share capital from majority shareholder Swiss Post International (SPI) to further expand its international presence and strengthen its position as Europe’s key logistics service provider in delivery to private households.

In return, SPI which does not wish to invest in domestic networks, is able to focus on the cross-border letter market, and will also become the preferred sales partner of HLG for international B2C services in European markets.

With a central hub in Milan and 63 depots throughout the country run by sub-contractors, one of Porta a Porta’s specialist areas is the nationwide distribution of items to both business and private customers. In 2006, the company delivered some 3.5 items to private customers, giving it a 7 pct share of the market. “No other private service provider in Italy has such a well-established B2C network as Porta a Porta,” says Jean-Pierre Streich Head of Swiss Post International.

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World Post Day 2007: postal services a driver of economic development

Posted by | Oct 9, 2007 | |

Last 9th October it was the World Post Day, the Universal Postal Union is drawing attention to the importance of ensuring that all the world’s citizens have easy access to postal services.

Universal postal service, a catalogue of postal services to which citizens have access, is often considered from a political or social point of view. But the universal postal service must also be seen in terms of its economic benefits, as UPU Director General Edouard DAYAN stressed in his annual message to the organization’s member countries.

“The universal postal service contributes to a country’s economic efficiency, and providing it across borders to all businesses and all citizens helps to promote the integration of markets. In a highly competitive international environment, the universal postal service provides companies and individuals with ready access to domestic markets. It is also a key facilitator of trade between countries, or between regional economic blocs.”

DAYAN reminded member countries of the importance for citizens of being able to access postal services everywhere on a given territory. “If postal deliveries, or access to postal financial services, were to be restricted to the main urban centres, this would leave millions of people and businesses dangerously sidelined and unable to participate in the economic activity of their country,” he said.

Day after day, some five million employees process and deliver millions of letters and parcels. With more than 660,000 offices, the Post forms the single largest physical distribution network in the world.

Governments, regulatory authorities and public and private postal operators all work alongside the UPU to improve the efficiency of the universal postal service for everyone’s benefit. The worldwide distribution in July of more than 2.5 million copies of the latest Harry Potter book, the development of an international network giving access to affordable, reliable money transfers, or the reconstruction of postal installations in Liberia, a country which is getting back on its feet after 14 years of civil war, are all examples of how the postal sector contributes positively to the global economy.

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