World Postal News
POSTAL NEWS
No 56 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Sing Post signs SEA logistics and warehousing master contract with Specialized bicycles. July 5, 2018.
Ten Minute Delivery. July 5, 2018.
De-Regulation of the Airline Industry: FedEx and Last-Mile Delivery. July 4, 2018.
Augmented reality could help post and parcel providers meet demand, says Scandit. July 3, 2018.
New representative and engagement structure agreed with the Post Office. July 3 2018.
SingPost signs SEA logistics and warehousing master contract with Specialized bicycles
July 5, 2018
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today announced the signing of a logistics and warehousing contract with premium global bicycle brand, Specialized Bicycle Components, in a deal that will speed up deliveries of Specialized products to riding enthusiasts across Southeast Asia.
The three-year tie-up will see Specialized moving its regional warehousing operations from Hong Kong to SingPost’s regional logistics facility at the Tampines Logistics Park. As Specialized’s officially appointed Logistics and Warehouse Partner in Southeast Asia, SingPost will handle warehousing and sea freight for Specialized bicycles and equipment, as well as last mile deliveries and returns from Singapore and Malaysia.
SingPost’s expertise in logistics support and delivery services – coupled with Singapore’s central geographical location within Southeast Asia – translates to speedier service and response time for Specialized in the region.
“As frequent users of bicycles ourselves, SingPost is honoured to be able to bring Specialized’s bikes and products to the cycling community in Southeast Asia,” said Sara Gerdner Kalle, Head of Group Sales, SingPost.
“Our warehousing and delivery solutions will ensure that cyclists in the region have faster and easier access to Specialized bicycles and products, so they can pursue their passions with peace of mind.”
SingPost’s inventory management system and good warehousing practices at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub allow accurate and efficient management of the thousands of products that Specialized carries, said Hideki Mochizuki, Managing Director of Specialized Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
“Our focus is always on the rider’s need for functionality and technically advanced products that provide a performance benefit. It’s what makes us Specialized. We want to make our products available to riders at the right time, at the right place, and we apply the same concepts to logistics management”, he said.
“With our new contract with SingPost, we are at the forefront of reinventing the cycling business model and exploring new ways to make bikes a central part of people’s daily lives across Asia.”
Source : https://www.singpost.com/about-us/news-releases
Ten Minute Delivery
July 5, 2018
The recently-published Tetra Pak Index has suggested that super-fast delivery (“within as little as ten minutes”) could be offered as value-added service in the European online grocery market by 2025.
The report, which was published on 27 June, takes a broad look at the key trends in the online food and grocery market across Europe, North America and China.
In his introduction to the report, Dennis Jonsson, President and CEO of the Tetra Pak Group, identified four key trends: convenience; technology; sustainability; and personalization.
As one might expect, Tetra Pak believed that “smart packaging” could play a major role in taking both online and offline grocery in “exciting new directions” over the next few years.
Alexandre Carvalho, Director Global Marketing Services at Tetra Pak, commented: “The rise of on-line grocery is a great opportunity for food and beverage brands, and packaging plays a key role in supporting their success. In particular, smart packaging helps drive greater transparency and efficiency in the supply chain, up and down stream, while also enabling a direct, interactive relationship with the consumer.”
Source : https://postandparcel.info/97228/news
De-Regulation of the Airline Industry: FedEx and Last-Mile Delivery
July 4, 2018
In the last installment of PARCEL Counsel — “Back to the Future: UPS and Last-Mile Delivery” — we saw how UPS began life as a motor carrier focusing on local deliveries from downtown department stores to their customers in the area. UPS then developed its current nationwide system providing intercity door-to-door service through the use of intermodalrail service. On the other hand, FedEx began life approximately 63 years later than UPS as an intercity air carrier and then expanded to provide last-mile service through the use of intermodaltruck service.
In the mid-1960s, Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx Express, saw a need for fast transportation arising from the rapidly developing market for consumer and electronic devices. As related in the Wikipedia article for FedEx, “Smith felt that the necessary delivery speed could only be achieved by using air transport. But he believed that the US air cargo system was so inflexible and bound by regulations at that time that it was completely incapable of making sufficiently fast deliveries. Plus, the US air cargo industry was highly unsuited to the role. Its system depended on cooperation between companies, as interlining was often necessary to get a consignment from point A to point B, and the industry relied heavily on cargo forwarders to fill hold space and perform doorstep deliveries.”
The regulations to which Smith was referring were not any and all regulations, but rather the economic, as opposed to safety, regulation of air carriers. These regulations governed air carriers’ rates, routes, and services and, at that point in time, were administered by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The regulatory scheme extended to who could operate an airline, which routes an airline could travel over, the rates charged, liability for loss and damage claims, and similar matters.
Nevertheless, Smith started Federal Express Corporation in 1971 and began operations within this highly regulated environment in 1973. But then, the deregulation of the airline industry began in 1977 with the passage of the Air Transportation Regulatory Reform Act of 1977. This meant that an air carrier’s routes, rates, and services were not subject to regulatory oversight.
Next, the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 substantially deregulated motor carriers. In particular, motor carriers transporting property to and from an airport prior or subsequent to the property being transported by an airline were exempted from Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) oversight. This meant that air carriers such as FedEx were allowed to utilize either their own trucks, or those of a separate trucking company, without either the airline or the trucking company having to register with the ICC (or now with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration…FMCSA). This meant that the use of FedEx trucks to pick up parcels at the point of origin and deliver them through to the point of destination could also be done without regulatory oversight of the services offered or the rates or charges.
The rest, as they say, is history. FedEx Express is now the world’s largest airline in terms of freight tons flown with the fourth largest fleet.
All for now!
Source : https://parcelindustry.com
Augmented reality could help post and parcel providers meet demand, says Scandit
July 3, 2018
Scandit has released a point-of-view white paper, Mobile Computer Vision in the Post and Parcel Industry, that claims post and parcel providers can scan barcodes and text with smart devices to keep up with increased parcel volume and customer expectations.
The report provides and insight into how post and parcel organizations can use mobile computer vision-enabled data capture and augmented reality solutions running on smart devices to increase the capabilities of existing barcodes in ways that dedicated scanners cannot.
The resulting benefits include reduced costs, increased efficiency and fewer human errors, the ability to meet growing end-user demands, and the protection of your investment.
Samuel Mueller, CEO of Scandit, said, “Post and Parcel enterprises can’t expect to use the same old technology and workflows and be successful in this explosive age of e-commerce.
“The powerful thing about mobile computer vision-enabled smart devices is that they empower post and parcel providers to take the barcode that’s already on every package and turn it into a tool that saves them money and supercharges their performance and efficiency. Our new point-of-view white paper explains how to make this happen.”
Scandit is a developer of next-generation data capture technology enabled by mobile computer vision, augmented reality and machine learning.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com/news/technology
New representative and engagement structure agreed with the Post Office
July 3 2018
A new industrial framework agreed with the Post Office will see a total of 13 full-time representatives – which includes two postal executive members – under an agreement endorsed by the union’s industrial executive today.
The new Collective Engagement Framework (CEF) will “provide continuity and stability” for our members across the Post Office, according to CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey, who led the negotiations on behalf of the union.
“It’s certainly a huge step forward from the position we were in late last year, when the Post Office announced its intention to slash the number of reps from 19 down to just three,” he pointed out.
Following the Post Office’s shock announcement, the union immediately referred the disagreement to arbitration service ACAS and a moratorium was placed on any changes, pending externally-mediated negotiations.
In these discussions, the CWU side put its case that, while recognising that total numbers of CWU-grade staff employed in the business have reduced since the last IR framework review in 2015, and that there was a case for change, cutting rep numbers down to just three was “extremely disproportionate.”
Andy Furey remarked at the time that such an extreme reduction appeared to be “designed to destabilise the union as a precursor to derecognition” and he reminded the business that “there are still over 3,000 CWU-grade Post Office employees and it’s vitally important that all members are able to access decent representation as and when they need it.”
With the assistance of ACAS, a compromise package was eventually reached, whereby the reduction was brought down to a proportionate level, leaving members with 11 field representatives plus two more postal executive delegates – a total of 13.
Going forward, the reps will have extra duties, taking on health, safety and wellbeing responsibilities on top of their IR roles, but with a firm commitment that they will undergo the appropriate, training to ensure they are fully equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to perform the role.
Also, given that the assistance of arbitration service ACAS was crucial in resolving this disagreement, integral and enshrined within CEF is a firm commitment to escalate national disagreements to an external mediator in future.
Summing up, Andy said: “The agreement provides continuity and stability and ensures that our representative structure will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
“This has to be good news for our members considering the upheaval and uncertainty our representatives have faced over the last year, and I have no hesitation in strongly recommending this agreement.”
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
POSTAL NEWS
No 57 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
AusPost, eBay go after Amazon with warehouse, pack and delivery tie-up. July 11, 2018.
SINGPOST, SPH And Parcel SANTA Team Up For Parcel Collection Point Network. July 11, 2018.
New NZ Post eCommerce report shows fastest growth in the regions. 9 July 2018.
CUPW Fredericton Oromocto: Red / Blue Solidarity Day. July 6, 2018.
Postal services in Poland and Netherlands go electric. July 5, 2018.
Is Amazon trespassing on UPS and FedEx’s patch? July 3, 2018.
AusPost, eBay go after Amazon with warehouse, pack and delivery tie-up
July 11, 2018
Australia Post and eBay have teamed up to go head-to-head with Amazon by offering online retailers a storage, "pick and pack" and delivery service they say will pip the newly arrived e-commerce giant on delivery times.
The postal service quietly launched a new business called Fulfilio about six months ago, which warehouses, boxes-up and then ships orders on behalf of online businesses.
It has now struck a partnership with eBay to sign up some of the online marketplace's 40,000 Australian sellers to use the service, offering them faster and more reliable delivery times than if they handled their own orders.
Australia Post has offered fulfilment services for wholesale, or business-to-business (B2B), customers for years. But general manager of parcel and express services Ben Franzi said it needed to respond to a decline in that segment and growth in deliveries directly to consumers, driven by online shopping.
Australians' online spending grew about 19 per cent last year, according to Australia Post research, while most bricks and mortar retailers - which drive B2B deliveries - were growing 1 or 2 per cent, Mr Franzi said.
Amazon offers a similar service called Fulfilment by Amazon which launched in Australia in February, and has started stocking third-party sellers' goods in its first local warehouse in Melbourne's southeast.
But Mr Franzi said Australia Post's service would be faster, with warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth allowing for same-day deliveries.
“Speed is really starting to be one of the battle grounds for ecommerce, but to compete on speed you need stock close to the consumer," he said.
"Which is why that facility offer is so important, and why the pick-and-pack offer is so important in being able to compete.”
Amazon.com.au only offers next-day deliveries as its fastest option. However a second Australian warehouse, in Sydney's south west, due to open later this year is expected to improve its logistics network.
Fulfilio will also fulfil orders placed through any sales platform - eBay, a business's own website and even Amazon. Amazon meanwhile is running a trial shipping orders placed through a seller's own website.
David Ramadge, senior director of product and shipping at eBay Australia & New Zealand, said the online marketplace would not earn revenue from the Fulfilio partnership.
Speeding things up
Instead, the partnership was designed to improve the speed and reliability of its sellers' deliveries, which has been one of the company's key focuses.
It recently rolled out a "Guaranteed Delivery" pledge sellers can use to give buyers more confidence around delivery times. It has also launched eBay Plus, a subscription service giving customers unlimited free delivery on millions of items, to rival Amazon's similar Prime service.
“It’s all about coming up with solutions for our sellers which at the end of the day deliver great buying experiences for our customers," Mr Ramadge said.
More the 53 million eBay orders were shipped to Australian customers in the past 12 month, according to the company.
eBay sellers can register their interest in using the service, and Mr Franzi said he expected about 500 to sign up in the first year. With the service operating out of its existing B2B fulfilment warehouses, he said there was virtually "unlimited" scope for growth.
Australia Post would not disclose the size of its investment in Fulfilio, other than saying it was "significant".
Source : https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies
SINGPOST, SPH And Parcel SANTA Team Up For Parcel Collection Point Network
July11, 2018
Singapore Post (SingPost), Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and local start-up Parcel Santa have teamed up create what they say is the most extensive network of parcel collection points in Singapore.
In a statement sent to Post&Parcel today (11 July), Parcel Santa said: “With a combined total of approximately 400 collection points island wide, shoppers will be spoilt for choice in collecting their latest online purchases. This network is almost twice as large than the next closet collection point network in Singapore.”
The network is a mix of smart lockers and manned-collection kiosks.
“SingPost prides itself as a trusted and reliable postal service provider, leading the way to innovative logistic solutions. Expanding our repertoire as an end-to-end logistics solutions provider, we have partnered with Parcel Santa and SPH, understanding the increased efficiency and productivity this partnership would bring to couriers like us,” said Mr. Freddy Chang, Head – SP Parcels of SingPost.
Jim Huang, the CEO of Parcel Santa, added: “We have seen amazing optimization of delivery times since we have implemented the lockers in our 130 condominiums.
“We estimate that on a monthly average, each locker saves an average of 500 minutes a month for couriers making deliveries via the lockers as compared to traditional door deliveries; this is a quantum leap for the logistics industry in terms of scalability to meet the surging eCommerce tsunami in Singapore.”
SingPost, SPH and Parcel Santa have announced plans to grow their network to at least 600 collection points by 2019.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/97305/news/e-commerce
New NZ Post eCommerce report shows fastest growth in the regions
9 July 2018
Online spend is growing at 15% in the regions, making them the fastest growing areas for eCommerce in New Zealand, a new report commissioned by NZ Post shows.
The Full Download: 2018 New Zealand eCommerce Review was commissioned by NZ Post in partnership with Datamine, using annonymised card transactions over the 2016 and 2017 years.
The report shows that spending by online shoppers on goods is growing the fastest in the Gisborne region, where online shoppers spent $30m last year, an increase of 19%.
It also revealed Taranaki shoppers were the biggest spenders on average per transaction, with an average online shopping basket of $124.50 and the number of transactions by online shoppers is growing the fastest in Northland at 36%.
NZ Post Chief Marketing Officer Bryan Dobson says the report shows that in New Zealand online shopping is growing at a rate of 13%, and is fuelled by a 23% increase in spend with overseas companies.
The report also identified that among local retailers online revenues increased 9%, 10 times the rate of ‘bricks and mortar’ sales.
“The report shows Kiwis spent $3.6b NZD online in 2017 and that made up 8.1% of total NZ retail spend. The average online shopper spends over $2,350 online each year, with rural online shoppers now the largest spenders, each spending over $2,500 online in 2017.
“But eCommerce is still growing, globally it is twice the size it was five years ago. By 2021 it is projected 17.5% of all global retail spend will come from eCommerce.
In New Zealand the number of online transactions are growing.
“People are shopping more often, and more often with overseas companies, for smaller amounts. This shows that Kiwis feel comfortable buying smaller value items more regularly online, and are really embracing shopping online for more everyday items,” Bryan Dobson says.
And there are differences between how Kiwi men and women are shopping.
“The report shows New Zealand women shop online more frequently than men, with an average of 23 online transactions per year, but men are spending more each time they shop online, almost $40 more per transaction.
“And it may surprise people that men are spending about twice as much as women per transaction in the Health and Beauty category,” Bryan Dobson says.
“The insights in the report will be of real value to Kiwi eCommerce businesses. eCommerce is growing, and we’re keen to help businesses grow even more.
“NZ Post is a natural partner for Kiwis shopping online. Last year we processed and delivered over 70 million parcels to New Zealand addresses or to international destinations, and this number is only rising.”
Source : https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release
CUPW Fredericton Oromocto: Red / Blue Solidarity Day
July 6, 2018
Canada Post refuses real negotiations and ignores the concerns of workers, who provide quality public service. The Fredericton Oromocto Local has used today to illustrate the Solidarity in their Local. During conciliation Locals must use their collective strength to convince the government to negotiate today’s problems and our future. Thanks to the membership of the Fredericton Oromocto Local and Brother Nickerson , their Local President. The following message was sent to the media. For full size pictures use the following link : https://www.cupw.ca/en/cupw-fredericton-red-blue-solidarity-day
On May 31, 2018 Arbitrator Maureen Flynn released her decision on pay equity for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) who work at Canada Post Corporation. In her decision she states that RSMCs and Urban Letter Carriers do work of equal value and that a wage gap exists. She has instructed the parties to negotiate compensation both for the retroactive period and going forward.
On the same day, Jessica L. McDonald, Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim President of CPC stated that CPC was "committed to acting swiftly and diligently" to resolve the issues.
Thus far there has been barely any movement on their part to try and negotiate a compensation package.
RSMCs and Urban Letter Carriers, members of CUPW Local 054, Fredericton Oromocto is sending a reminder to Canada Post that Arbitrator Flynn has ruled on pay equity. She has ruled that Rural and Urban Mail Carriers do work of equal value and are to be compensated equally.
Today RSMCs are wearing the Urban uniform (blue) and Urbans will be wearing the Rural uniform (red) while delivering the mail in the Fredericton area. This is a symbolic gesture to let them know we are equal and deserve to be treated as such.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca
Postal services in Poland and Netherlands go electric
July 5, 2018
Not only Deutsche Post looks into electrifying their delivery operations. A new initiative by the Dutch PostNL now replaces diesel vehicles with electric cargo bikes in Utrecht. Also the mail service in Poland, Poczta Polska, wants to electrify by developing their own vehicle.
Utrecht is the latest city where Post NL deploys what they call their electric carrier bikes. The cargo pedelecs replace small diesel vehicles and deliver mail to business. They also carry postmen and women to empty more than 150 letterboxes in the city, as well as delivering parcels.
According to PostNL, they thus replace 20 car rides every day. This means 560 emission-free delivery kilometres a day. A special transfer location, like a mini logistics hub, has been created in the Utrecht city centre.
The initiative builds on a trial to replace delivery vans with electric carrier bikes and small electric vehicles (Stints). It was carried out in the Amsterdam in 2016. In 2017, PostNL started making deliveries with 60 electric carrier bikes there. Also in Leeuwarden, PostNL delivers both mail and parcels emission-free using electric cars and small electric vehicles.
After Utrecht, Leeuwarden and Amsterdam, PostNL is planning to deploy electric carrier bikes in about ten cities across the Netherlands in 2018.
The post in Poland has yet to electrify but is working on it. Poczta Polska teamed up with the national research centre to develop an electric vehicle together. It shall deliver mail and parcels with zero emissions nationwide. Trials with nine different prototypes from Polish providers are currently underway.
The project brings to mind the StreetScooter of DP/DHL. Different from Poland, the electric van business grew out of a university spin-off. Since then, Deutsche Post has advanced to one of the largest electric vehicle producers in Germany. They have also teamed up with electric bicycle manufacturers such as Heinzmann in the past in order to build cargo pedelecs fit for postal purpose.
Source : https://www.electrive.com
Is Amazon trespassing on UPS and FedEx’s patch?
July 3, 2018
Amazon has announced it wants to engage small delivery companies to deliver the last mile. Is Amazon seeking to compete with delivery giants UPS, FedEx and USPS, or does it have bigger motivations? Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) and Ian Kerr (Postal Hub Podcast) analyze this development.
Amazon has announced it wants to build up its delivery capabilities by contracting out last-mile delivery to small companies – the very same thing many postal and parcel operators have been doing for decades – and is growing its own potential to operate independently.
Amazon says it needs more capacity in the USA to handle its growing delivery needs. Does this mean Amazon has little faith in its existing partners – UPS, FedEx and USPS – to meet future growth? Or is Amazon seeking to improve its bargaining position with the delivery giants? Is it all about improving the customer experience?
The concept
Amazon is pitching this delivery company model as being appropriate for anyone, even people with no delivery experience. Subcontractors will be able to use Amazon’s technology and processes to set up and run their delivery businesses.
Amazon says it will take an ‘active role’ in helping people set up their businesses. According to Amazon, successful owners can earn as much as US$300,000 in annual profit operating a fleet of up to 40 delivery vehicles. Will those promises come back to haunt Amazon?
No doubt Amazon has been learning from its experiences with Amazon Flex and Amazon Logistics. The new delivery fleet will be a test for Amazon’s training, including its interactive apps and videos. If the training is backed up with consistent parcel volumes and solid remuneration, then Amazon should have happy delivery contractors although practice to date has been varied.
The black vehicles will have Amazon branding. This brings an extra element of cost for the subcontractor compared to sourcing the classic white vans, a lesson Amazon doesn’t seem to have learned.
Following trials, Amazon has calculated that the optimum-sized business has 20 to 40 vans, with an owner/operator model. There could be another motivation for encouraging businesses to have multiple vehicles/drivers – the reduced possibility of drivers claiming employee status.
Will this hurt the big carriers’ feelings?
Amazon says there’s ‘more than enough for everybody.’ Amazon’s renewed push into the last mile might not affect major carriers’ expansion and investment plans in the short term, but if Amazon logistics grows to become an independent player with nationwide capacity, the story may be different.
Will Amazon deliver non-Amazon parcels?
Most likely Amazon will open up its delivery network to non-Amazon parcels, should it have capacity. Its own deliveries will take precedence.
Is it really all that new?
Delivery service partners are not a new thing and have been used with success since Marek was responsible for Amazon Last Mile in Europe several years ago. What is new and interesting is the feeling that Amazon may really move into the commercial carriers’ (and USPS’s) turf due to the need to optimize line hauls and routes in some areas and therefore siphon parcels from the ‘non-Amazonian’ market.
The key questions most people would ask are: Is this really on the cards? Is this a real threat to the other carriers? And What does it mean for the consumer?
Answering them in turn, contrary to our more conservative responses to date, the answer to the first two questions is yes. As regards the last one, this has to be good news due to Amazon’s obsession with customer experience, but only up to the point at which competition is stifled. Should Amazon become so dominant that there is no direct competitor? Who knows what Mr Bezos will do.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com
POSTAL NEWS
No 56 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Sing Post signs SEA logistics and warehousing master contract with Specialized bicycles. July 5, 2018.
Ten Minute Delivery. July 5, 2018.
De-Regulation of the Airline Industry: FedEx and Last-Mile Delivery. July 4, 2018.
Augmented reality could help post and parcel providers meet demand, says Scandit. July 3, 2018.
New representative and engagement structure agreed with the Post Office. July 3 2018.
SingPost signs SEA logistics and warehousing master contract with Specialized bicycles
July 5, 2018
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today announced the signing of a logistics and warehousing contract with premium global bicycle brand, Specialized Bicycle Components, in a deal that will speed up deliveries of Specialized products to riding enthusiasts across Southeast Asia.
The three-year tie-up will see Specialized moving its regional warehousing operations from Hong Kong to SingPost’s regional logistics facility at the Tampines Logistics Park. As Specialized’s officially appointed Logistics and Warehouse Partner in Southeast Asia, SingPost will handle warehousing and sea freight for Specialized bicycles and equipment, as well as last mile deliveries and returns from Singapore and Malaysia.
SingPost’s expertise in logistics support and delivery services – coupled with Singapore’s central geographical location within Southeast Asia – translates to speedier service and response time for Specialized in the region.
“As frequent users of bicycles ourselves, SingPost is honoured to be able to bring Specialized’s bikes and products to the cycling community in Southeast Asia,” said Sara Gerdner Kalle, Head of Group Sales, SingPost.
“Our warehousing and delivery solutions will ensure that cyclists in the region have faster and easier access to Specialized bicycles and products, so they can pursue their passions with peace of mind.”
SingPost’s inventory management system and good warehousing practices at its Regional eCommerce Logistics Hub allow accurate and efficient management of the thousands of products that Specialized carries, said Hideki Mochizuki, Managing Director of Specialized Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
“Our focus is always on the rider’s need for functionality and technically advanced products that provide a performance benefit. It’s what makes us Specialized. We want to make our products available to riders at the right time, at the right place, and we apply the same concepts to logistics management”, he said.
“With our new contract with SingPost, we are at the forefront of reinventing the cycling business model and exploring new ways to make bikes a central part of people’s daily lives across Asia.”
Source : https://www.singpost.com/about-us/news-releases
Ten Minute Delivery
July 5, 2018
The recently-published Tetra Pak Index has suggested that super-fast delivery (“within as little as ten minutes”) could be offered as value-added service in the European online grocery market by 2025.
The report, which was published on 27 June, takes a broad look at the key trends in the online food and grocery market across Europe, North America and China.
In his introduction to the report, Dennis Jonsson, President and CEO of the Tetra Pak Group, identified four key trends: convenience; technology; sustainability; and personalization.
As one might expect, Tetra Pak believed that “smart packaging” could play a major role in taking both online and offline grocery in “exciting new directions” over the next few years.
Alexandre Carvalho, Director Global Marketing Services at Tetra Pak, commented: “The rise of on-line grocery is a great opportunity for food and beverage brands, and packaging plays a key role in supporting their success. In particular, smart packaging helps drive greater transparency and efficiency in the supply chain, up and down stream, while also enabling a direct, interactive relationship with the consumer.”
Source : https://postandparcel.info/97228/news
De-Regulation of the Airline Industry: FedEx and Last-Mile Delivery
July 4, 2018
In the last installment of PARCEL Counsel — “Back to the Future: UPS and Last-Mile Delivery” — we saw how UPS began life as a motor carrier focusing on local deliveries from downtown department stores to their customers in the area. UPS then developed its current nationwide system providing intercity door-to-door service through the use of intermodalrail service. On the other hand, FedEx began life approximately 63 years later than UPS as an intercity air carrier and then expanded to provide last-mile service through the use of intermodaltruck service.
In the mid-1960s, Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx Express, saw a need for fast transportation arising from the rapidly developing market for consumer and electronic devices. As related in the Wikipedia article for FedEx, “Smith felt that the necessary delivery speed could only be achieved by using air transport. But he believed that the US air cargo system was so inflexible and bound by regulations at that time that it was completely incapable of making sufficiently fast deliveries. Plus, the US air cargo industry was highly unsuited to the role. Its system depended on cooperation between companies, as interlining was often necessary to get a consignment from point A to point B, and the industry relied heavily on cargo forwarders to fill hold space and perform doorstep deliveries.”
The regulations to which Smith was referring were not any and all regulations, but rather the economic, as opposed to safety, regulation of air carriers. These regulations governed air carriers’ rates, routes, and services and, at that point in time, were administered by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The regulatory scheme extended to who could operate an airline, which routes an airline could travel over, the rates charged, liability for loss and damage claims, and similar matters.
Nevertheless, Smith started Federal Express Corporation in 1971 and began operations within this highly regulated environment in 1973. But then, the deregulation of the airline industry began in 1977 with the passage of the Air Transportation Regulatory Reform Act of 1977. This meant that an air carrier’s routes, rates, and services were not subject to regulatory oversight.
Next, the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 substantially deregulated motor carriers. In particular, motor carriers transporting property to and from an airport prior or subsequent to the property being transported by an airline were exempted from Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) oversight. This meant that air carriers such as FedEx were allowed to utilize either their own trucks, or those of a separate trucking company, without either the airline or the trucking company having to register with the ICC (or now with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration…FMCSA). This meant that the use of FedEx trucks to pick up parcels at the point of origin and deliver them through to the point of destination could also be done without regulatory oversight of the services offered or the rates or charges.
The rest, as they say, is history. FedEx Express is now the world’s largest airline in terms of freight tons flown with the fourth largest fleet.
All for now!
Source : https://parcelindustry.com
Augmented reality could help post and parcel providers meet demand, says Scandit
July 3, 2018
Scandit has released a point-of-view white paper, Mobile Computer Vision in the Post and Parcel Industry, that claims post and parcel providers can scan barcodes and text with smart devices to keep up with increased parcel volume and customer expectations.
The report provides and insight into how post and parcel organizations can use mobile computer vision-enabled data capture and augmented reality solutions running on smart devices to increase the capabilities of existing barcodes in ways that dedicated scanners cannot.
The resulting benefits include reduced costs, increased efficiency and fewer human errors, the ability to meet growing end-user demands, and the protection of your investment.
Samuel Mueller, CEO of Scandit, said, “Post and Parcel enterprises can’t expect to use the same old technology and workflows and be successful in this explosive age of e-commerce.
“The powerful thing about mobile computer vision-enabled smart devices is that they empower post and parcel providers to take the barcode that’s already on every package and turn it into a tool that saves them money and supercharges their performance and efficiency. Our new point-of-view white paper explains how to make this happen.”
Scandit is a developer of next-generation data capture technology enabled by mobile computer vision, augmented reality and machine learning.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com/news/technology
New representative and engagement structure agreed with the Post Office
July 3 2018
A new industrial framework agreed with the Post Office will see a total of 13 full-time representatives – which includes two postal executive members – under an agreement endorsed by the union’s industrial executive today.
The new Collective Engagement Framework (CEF) will “provide continuity and stability” for our members across the Post Office, according to CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey, who led the negotiations on behalf of the union.
“It’s certainly a huge step forward from the position we were in late last year, when the Post Office announced its intention to slash the number of reps from 19 down to just three,” he pointed out.
Following the Post Office’s shock announcement, the union immediately referred the disagreement to arbitration service ACAS and a moratorium was placed on any changes, pending externally-mediated negotiations.
In these discussions, the CWU side put its case that, while recognising that total numbers of CWU-grade staff employed in the business have reduced since the last IR framework review in 2015, and that there was a case for change, cutting rep numbers down to just three was “extremely disproportionate.”
Andy Furey remarked at the time that such an extreme reduction appeared to be “designed to destabilise the union as a precursor to derecognition” and he reminded the business that “there are still over 3,000 CWU-grade Post Office employees and it’s vitally important that all members are able to access decent representation as and when they need it.”
With the assistance of ACAS, a compromise package was eventually reached, whereby the reduction was brought down to a proportionate level, leaving members with 11 field representatives plus two more postal executive delegates – a total of 13.
Going forward, the reps will have extra duties, taking on health, safety and wellbeing responsibilities on top of their IR roles, but with a firm commitment that they will undergo the appropriate, training to ensure they are fully equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to perform the role.
Also, given that the assistance of arbitration service ACAS was crucial in resolving this disagreement, integral and enshrined within CEF is a firm commitment to escalate national disagreements to an external mediator in future.
Summing up, Andy said: “The agreement provides continuity and stability and ensures that our representative structure will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
“This has to be good news for our members considering the upheaval and uncertainty our representatives have faced over the last year, and I have no hesitation in strongly recommending this agreement.”
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
POSTAL NEWS
No 57 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
AusPost, eBay go after Amazon with warehouse, pack and delivery tie-up. July 11, 2018.
SINGPOST, SPH And Parcel SANTA Team Up For Parcel Collection Point Network. July 11, 2018.
New NZ Post eCommerce report shows fastest growth in the regions. 9 July 2018.
CUPW Fredericton Oromocto: Red / Blue Solidarity Day. July 6, 2018.
Postal services in Poland and Netherlands go electric. July 5, 2018.
Is Amazon trespassing on UPS and FedEx’s patch? July 3, 2018.
AusPost, eBay go after Amazon with warehouse, pack and delivery tie-up
July 11, 2018
Australia Post and eBay have teamed up to go head-to-head with Amazon by offering online retailers a storage, "pick and pack" and delivery service they say will pip the newly arrived e-commerce giant on delivery times.
The postal service quietly launched a new business called Fulfilio about six months ago, which warehouses, boxes-up and then ships orders on behalf of online businesses.
It has now struck a partnership with eBay to sign up some of the online marketplace's 40,000 Australian sellers to use the service, offering them faster and more reliable delivery times than if they handled their own orders.
Australia Post has offered fulfilment services for wholesale, or business-to-business (B2B), customers for years. But general manager of parcel and express services Ben Franzi said it needed to respond to a decline in that segment and growth in deliveries directly to consumers, driven by online shopping.
Australians' online spending grew about 19 per cent last year, according to Australia Post research, while most bricks and mortar retailers - which drive B2B deliveries - were growing 1 or 2 per cent, Mr Franzi said.
Amazon offers a similar service called Fulfilment by Amazon which launched in Australia in February, and has started stocking third-party sellers' goods in its first local warehouse in Melbourne's southeast.
But Mr Franzi said Australia Post's service would be faster, with warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth allowing for same-day deliveries.
“Speed is really starting to be one of the battle grounds for ecommerce, but to compete on speed you need stock close to the consumer," he said.
"Which is why that facility offer is so important, and why the pick-and-pack offer is so important in being able to compete.”
Amazon.com.au only offers next-day deliveries as its fastest option. However a second Australian warehouse, in Sydney's south west, due to open later this year is expected to improve its logistics network.
Fulfilio will also fulfil orders placed through any sales platform - eBay, a business's own website and even Amazon. Amazon meanwhile is running a trial shipping orders placed through a seller's own website.
David Ramadge, senior director of product and shipping at eBay Australia & New Zealand, said the online marketplace would not earn revenue from the Fulfilio partnership.
Speeding things up
Instead, the partnership was designed to improve the speed and reliability of its sellers' deliveries, which has been one of the company's key focuses.
It recently rolled out a "Guaranteed Delivery" pledge sellers can use to give buyers more confidence around delivery times. It has also launched eBay Plus, a subscription service giving customers unlimited free delivery on millions of items, to rival Amazon's similar Prime service.
“It’s all about coming up with solutions for our sellers which at the end of the day deliver great buying experiences for our customers," Mr Ramadge said.
More the 53 million eBay orders were shipped to Australian customers in the past 12 month, according to the company.
eBay sellers can register their interest in using the service, and Mr Franzi said he expected about 500 to sign up in the first year. With the service operating out of its existing B2B fulfilment warehouses, he said there was virtually "unlimited" scope for growth.
Australia Post would not disclose the size of its investment in Fulfilio, other than saying it was "significant".
Source : https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies
SINGPOST, SPH And Parcel SANTA Team Up For Parcel Collection Point Network
July11, 2018
Singapore Post (SingPost), Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and local start-up Parcel Santa have teamed up create what they say is the most extensive network of parcel collection points in Singapore.
In a statement sent to Post&Parcel today (11 July), Parcel Santa said: “With a combined total of approximately 400 collection points island wide, shoppers will be spoilt for choice in collecting their latest online purchases. This network is almost twice as large than the next closet collection point network in Singapore.”
The network is a mix of smart lockers and manned-collection kiosks.
“SingPost prides itself as a trusted and reliable postal service provider, leading the way to innovative logistic solutions. Expanding our repertoire as an end-to-end logistics solutions provider, we have partnered with Parcel Santa and SPH, understanding the increased efficiency and productivity this partnership would bring to couriers like us,” said Mr. Freddy Chang, Head – SP Parcels of SingPost.
Jim Huang, the CEO of Parcel Santa, added: “We have seen amazing optimization of delivery times since we have implemented the lockers in our 130 condominiums.
“We estimate that on a monthly average, each locker saves an average of 500 minutes a month for couriers making deliveries via the lockers as compared to traditional door deliveries; this is a quantum leap for the logistics industry in terms of scalability to meet the surging eCommerce tsunami in Singapore.”
SingPost, SPH and Parcel Santa have announced plans to grow their network to at least 600 collection points by 2019.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/97305/news/e-commerce
New NZ Post eCommerce report shows fastest growth in the regions
9 July 2018
Online spend is growing at 15% in the regions, making them the fastest growing areas for eCommerce in New Zealand, a new report commissioned by NZ Post shows.
The Full Download: 2018 New Zealand eCommerce Review was commissioned by NZ Post in partnership with Datamine, using annonymised card transactions over the 2016 and 2017 years.
The report shows that spending by online shoppers on goods is growing the fastest in the Gisborne region, where online shoppers spent $30m last year, an increase of 19%.
It also revealed Taranaki shoppers were the biggest spenders on average per transaction, with an average online shopping basket of $124.50 and the number of transactions by online shoppers is growing the fastest in Northland at 36%.
NZ Post Chief Marketing Officer Bryan Dobson says the report shows that in New Zealand online shopping is growing at a rate of 13%, and is fuelled by a 23% increase in spend with overseas companies.
The report also identified that among local retailers online revenues increased 9%, 10 times the rate of ‘bricks and mortar’ sales.
“The report shows Kiwis spent $3.6b NZD online in 2017 and that made up 8.1% of total NZ retail spend. The average online shopper spends over $2,350 online each year, with rural online shoppers now the largest spenders, each spending over $2,500 online in 2017.
“But eCommerce is still growing, globally it is twice the size it was five years ago. By 2021 it is projected 17.5% of all global retail spend will come from eCommerce.
In New Zealand the number of online transactions are growing.
“People are shopping more often, and more often with overseas companies, for smaller amounts. This shows that Kiwis feel comfortable buying smaller value items more regularly online, and are really embracing shopping online for more everyday items,” Bryan Dobson says.
And there are differences between how Kiwi men and women are shopping.
“The report shows New Zealand women shop online more frequently than men, with an average of 23 online transactions per year, but men are spending more each time they shop online, almost $40 more per transaction.
“And it may surprise people that men are spending about twice as much as women per transaction in the Health and Beauty category,” Bryan Dobson says.
“The insights in the report will be of real value to Kiwi eCommerce businesses. eCommerce is growing, and we’re keen to help businesses grow even more.
“NZ Post is a natural partner for Kiwis shopping online. Last year we processed and delivered over 70 million parcels to New Zealand addresses or to international destinations, and this number is only rising.”
Source : https://www.nzpost.co.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-release
CUPW Fredericton Oromocto: Red / Blue Solidarity Day
July 6, 2018
Canada Post refuses real negotiations and ignores the concerns of workers, who provide quality public service. The Fredericton Oromocto Local has used today to illustrate the Solidarity in their Local. During conciliation Locals must use their collective strength to convince the government to negotiate today’s problems and our future. Thanks to the membership of the Fredericton Oromocto Local and Brother Nickerson , their Local President. The following message was sent to the media. For full size pictures use the following link : https://www.cupw.ca/en/cupw-fredericton-red-blue-solidarity-day
On May 31, 2018 Arbitrator Maureen Flynn released her decision on pay equity for Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) who work at Canada Post Corporation. In her decision she states that RSMCs and Urban Letter Carriers do work of equal value and that a wage gap exists. She has instructed the parties to negotiate compensation both for the retroactive period and going forward.
On the same day, Jessica L. McDonald, Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim President of CPC stated that CPC was "committed to acting swiftly and diligently" to resolve the issues.
Thus far there has been barely any movement on their part to try and negotiate a compensation package.
RSMCs and Urban Letter Carriers, members of CUPW Local 054, Fredericton Oromocto is sending a reminder to Canada Post that Arbitrator Flynn has ruled on pay equity. She has ruled that Rural and Urban Mail Carriers do work of equal value and are to be compensated equally.
Today RSMCs are wearing the Urban uniform (blue) and Urbans will be wearing the Rural uniform (red) while delivering the mail in the Fredericton area. This is a symbolic gesture to let them know we are equal and deserve to be treated as such.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca
Postal services in Poland and Netherlands go electric
July 5, 2018
Not only Deutsche Post looks into electrifying their delivery operations. A new initiative by the Dutch PostNL now replaces diesel vehicles with electric cargo bikes in Utrecht. Also the mail service in Poland, Poczta Polska, wants to electrify by developing their own vehicle.
Utrecht is the latest city where Post NL deploys what they call their electric carrier bikes. The cargo pedelecs replace small diesel vehicles and deliver mail to business. They also carry postmen and women to empty more than 150 letterboxes in the city, as well as delivering parcels.
According to PostNL, they thus replace 20 car rides every day. This means 560 emission-free delivery kilometres a day. A special transfer location, like a mini logistics hub, has been created in the Utrecht city centre.
The initiative builds on a trial to replace delivery vans with electric carrier bikes and small electric vehicles (Stints). It was carried out in the Amsterdam in 2016. In 2017, PostNL started making deliveries with 60 electric carrier bikes there. Also in Leeuwarden, PostNL delivers both mail and parcels emission-free using electric cars and small electric vehicles.
After Utrecht, Leeuwarden and Amsterdam, PostNL is planning to deploy electric carrier bikes in about ten cities across the Netherlands in 2018.
The post in Poland has yet to electrify but is working on it. Poczta Polska teamed up with the national research centre to develop an electric vehicle together. It shall deliver mail and parcels with zero emissions nationwide. Trials with nine different prototypes from Polish providers are currently underway.
The project brings to mind the StreetScooter of DP/DHL. Different from Poland, the electric van business grew out of a university spin-off. Since then, Deutsche Post has advanced to one of the largest electric vehicle producers in Germany. They have also teamed up with electric bicycle manufacturers such as Heinzmann in the past in order to build cargo pedelecs fit for postal purpose.
Source : https://www.electrive.com
Is Amazon trespassing on UPS and FedEx’s patch?
July 3, 2018
Amazon has announced it wants to engage small delivery companies to deliver the last mile. Is Amazon seeking to compete with delivery giants UPS, FedEx and USPS, or does it have bigger motivations? Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) and Ian Kerr (Postal Hub Podcast) analyze this development.
Amazon has announced it wants to build up its delivery capabilities by contracting out last-mile delivery to small companies – the very same thing many postal and parcel operators have been doing for decades – and is growing its own potential to operate independently.
Amazon says it needs more capacity in the USA to handle its growing delivery needs. Does this mean Amazon has little faith in its existing partners – UPS, FedEx and USPS – to meet future growth? Or is Amazon seeking to improve its bargaining position with the delivery giants? Is it all about improving the customer experience?
The concept
Amazon is pitching this delivery company model as being appropriate for anyone, even people with no delivery experience. Subcontractors will be able to use Amazon’s technology and processes to set up and run their delivery businesses.
Amazon says it will take an ‘active role’ in helping people set up their businesses. According to Amazon, successful owners can earn as much as US$300,000 in annual profit operating a fleet of up to 40 delivery vehicles. Will those promises come back to haunt Amazon?
No doubt Amazon has been learning from its experiences with Amazon Flex and Amazon Logistics. The new delivery fleet will be a test for Amazon’s training, including its interactive apps and videos. If the training is backed up with consistent parcel volumes and solid remuneration, then Amazon should have happy delivery contractors although practice to date has been varied.
The black vehicles will have Amazon branding. This brings an extra element of cost for the subcontractor compared to sourcing the classic white vans, a lesson Amazon doesn’t seem to have learned.
Following trials, Amazon has calculated that the optimum-sized business has 20 to 40 vans, with an owner/operator model. There could be another motivation for encouraging businesses to have multiple vehicles/drivers – the reduced possibility of drivers claiming employee status.
Will this hurt the big carriers’ feelings?
Amazon says there’s ‘more than enough for everybody.’ Amazon’s renewed push into the last mile might not affect major carriers’ expansion and investment plans in the short term, but if Amazon logistics grows to become an independent player with nationwide capacity, the story may be different.
Will Amazon deliver non-Amazon parcels?
Most likely Amazon will open up its delivery network to non-Amazon parcels, should it have capacity. Its own deliveries will take precedence.
Is it really all that new?
Delivery service partners are not a new thing and have been used with success since Marek was responsible for Amazon Last Mile in Europe several years ago. What is new and interesting is the feeling that Amazon may really move into the commercial carriers’ (and USPS’s) turf due to the need to optimize line hauls and routes in some areas and therefore siphon parcels from the ‘non-Amazonian’ market.
The key questions most people would ask are: Is this really on the cards? Is this a real threat to the other carriers? And What does it mean for the consumer?
Answering them in turn, contrary to our more conservative responses to date, the answer to the first two questions is yes. As regards the last one, this has to be good news due to Amazon’s obsession with customer experience, but only up to the point at which competition is stifled. Should Amazon become so dominant that there is no direct competitor? Who knows what Mr Bezos will do.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com