POSTAL NEWS
No 9-2019
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
Royal Mail’s profitability threatened by fall in mail. January 31, 2019.
Posti’s Transval acquisition completed. January 30, 2019.
Suncorp renews partnership with Australia Post. January 30, 2019.
MIA, Brazilian Post Office launch expedited shipping service. Compra Fora program provides express global deliveries to Brazil via Miami. January 29, 2019.
UPS and TerraCycle to trial reusable packaging system. January 28, 2019.
Extension of protection contracts and transfer DHL Delivery GmbHs. January 21, 2019.
Royal Mail’s profitability threatened by fall in mail
January 31, 2019
The dynamic between the growth of parcel traffic and the decline of traditional letters determines much of the profitability of the former State Mail providers across the world. Until a year ago it looked as if Royal Mail had at least stabilised this balance.
In an update outlining its results for the past nine months released this week, there was much to be satisfied about. Parcel volumes were up 6% and interestingly Royal Mail outlines that “domestic account parcels volumes, excluding Amazon, were up 8%”, presumably reflecting the strength of non-Amazon e-retailers in the UK. On continental Europe, GLS also continues to grow steadily, with a 5% rise in volumes but 8% higher revenue. Interestingly, GLS seems able to pass on cost increases to its customers.
The problems lie with the traditional mail parts of the business. ‘Addressed letters’ fell by a remarkable 8% year-on-year apparently in part due to the EU’s ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ which restricted activity for promotional mail-shots. Royal Mail limited this decline through increases in price and it expects that the underlying falls will not be as rapid over the longer-term, however the decline in this business is notable.
The impact these trends are having on Royal Mail’s profitability and growth prospects is worrying its investors. The value of the company has declined, with its share price falling 20% below the price at the time of its listing in 2013. Royal Mail says it is expecting
profits before ‘transformation’ costs to be between £500m-£530m which compares with its previous estimates of £550m.
Although Royal Mail has not been able to amplify its growth much through acquisitions nor develop its corporate strategy through expansion beyond Europe, its underlying parcel business seems to be going in the right direction. Rather Royal Mail’s experience is useful in understanding what may well happen to other markets where the shift from mail to e-commerce is not as advanced. The threat may be that the collapse of traditional mail may be faster than expected with the potential to destabilise business models.
Source: https://www.ti-insight.com/briefs
Posti’s Transval acquisition completed
January 30, 2019
Posti Group Corporation has today, January 25, 2019, completed the acquisition of the in-house logistics company Suomen Transval Group Oy. The acquisition was announced in September 2018. Posti acquires the entire share capital of Suomen Transval Group Oy from MB Rahastot and the other shareholders of the company. Transval’s net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 148 million. It employs 3,500 logistics professionals.
“The acquisition is a step in our logistics services growth strategy. As a result of this acquisition, Posti will become a significant operator in logistics outsourcing solutions in Finland. Together with Transval we will offer the most unique and comprehensive logistics outsourcing solutions on the market from transport to warehousing as well as in-house logistics at customers’ premises. We are impressed by the Transval employees’ capabilities in in-house logistics services and in enhancing the business operations of customers. The acquisition benefits the customers of both companies,” says Sari Helander, Vice President, Posti’s Logistics Solutions.
Transval’s CEO Risto Vilo is happy that the company will have the opportunity to grow together with Posti.
“We see tremendous potential in the increasingly close cooperation with Posti. Transval’s current service portfolio will be complemented with Posti’s logistics services, such as warehouse and value-added services, transport services and other customer needs like online store and parcel services. This acquisition will also benefit our employees who are the key to our company’s success. ”The value of the outsourced logistics markets in Finland is more than EUR 6,000 million.
The value of the outsourced logistics markets in Finland is more than EUR 6,000 million and the annual growth rate of outsourcing is up to 20%. A growing sector in the in-house logistics fields is the in-house logistics of the manufacturing industry and in trade the shelving of goods and refurbishments of products. After the acquisition, Transval will continue to operate as an independent company and the cooperation with Posti will continue to increase. The arrangements will not have an impact on any of the personnel or the current services of the customers.
Posti’s growth expectations on the logistics outsourcing markets are increasing due to the structural change taking place in trade and the growing demand for services, requiring new kinds of logistics arrangements to meet customers’ demands. As a result of the acquisition, the combined entity of logistics services of Posti and Transval will offer the most
comprehensive logistics outsourcing solutions for several different industries to increase the competitiveness of customers.
Logistics outsourcing services cover warehouse and terminal services, transport solutions, in-house logistics services on the customers’ premises and the flexible use of professional personnel. In-house logistics means the processing of material flows by the service provider’s personnel on the customer’s premises. Typical services are, for instance, reception of goods in warehouses, terminals and manufacturing plants, internal transfers, picking and shipping.
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) approved the acquisition on January 17, 2019, in accordance with restrictions related to Transval’s 3PL customers.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2019
Suncorp renews partnership with Australia Post
January 30, 2019
Suncorp has inked a five-year partnership deal with Australia Post to allow its customers to continue to access over-the-counter banking services in more than 3,500 communities across Australia.
David Carter, Suncorp banking and wealth CEO, said the renewed partnership will give its customers greater choice for their banking needs, wherever they are in Australia.
“Bank@Post is an important service, particularly for those living in regional and remote communities, and Suncorp is committed to ensuring the service is sustainable and continues to evolve with customer needs,” Carter said. “For more than 110 years, Suncorp has supported customers in these locations. We recognise changes in customer behaviour have increased the costs of providing Bank@Post services, however this is an investment worth making so our customers can continue to access banking services locally.”
“Suncorp’s support for the essential Bank@Post service demonstrates their strong commitment to their customers, ensuring they can continue to access banking services
across the nation through their community post office,” said Christine Holgate, Australia Post group CEO and managing director. “Suncorp’s strong leadership will enable us to invest in the future of our post offices, many of which are owned and operated by small business people.”
The refreshed deal allows Suncorp customers to make deposits and withdrawals at any Bank@Post outlet across Australia free of charge.
Source : https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news
MIA, Brazilian Post Office launch expedited shipping service
Compra Fora program provides express global deliveries to Brazil via Miami
January 29, 2019
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami International Airport Director Lester Sola and officials from Miami-Dade County and the Brazilian Post Office (Correios) gathered in Brasilia to announce the launch of Compra Fora ("Buy Outside") – a first-of-its-kind, expedited shipping service that allows e-commerce packages of all sizes from anywhere in the world to be shipped to Miami International Airport (MIA), be pre-cleared by Correios, and arrive in Brazil as domestic cargo within days instead of what used to take weeks or months
Correiros chose MIA as its first Compra Fora partner in large part because the airport ranks first in the U.S. for cargo flights to Brazil and commands 38 percent of the entire MIA-Brazil air trade market. Brazil is MIA's largest international market for passengers and trade value, generating more than 1.5 million travelers and $12 billion in cargo shipments annually.
"This landmark agreement with Correios once again reinforces Miami-Dade County's role as the logistics leader in our hemisphere," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I applaud the efforts of MIA and our trade community, for keeping Miami-Dade County on the forefront of innovation within the global air cargo industry."
Through a joint venture between Miami-based logistics providers SinerlogUSA and Interport Logistics - the first two companies selected by Correios for the Compra Fora program – items purchased by registered Compra Fora customers in Brazil are stored at Interport's facility within Miami-Dade County's Foreign Trade Zone, before being inspected, pre-cleared and shipped from MIA with a Correios label. Those shipments can then arrive in Brazil as domestic cargo and be transported to their final destinations via Correio's logistics network. Compra Fora allows Brazilian customers to have their own postal network addresses, schedule and group their shipments, pay any required taxes or fees, and track their order with the Sinerlog Safety Tracker (SST) system.
The 2006 signing of a Sister Airport agreement between the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the Brazilian Airport Authorities, in partnership with Miami-Dade County's International Trade Consortium (ITC), was one of the contributing factors to the creation of Compra Fora.
"I am extremely pleased to see this initiative become a reality, after years of hard work and collaboration between Miami-Dade County and Correios," said Miami-Dade County
Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Chairman of the ITC. "We expect Compra Fora to provide a significant boost to Miami-Dade County's air trade with Brazil."
As the busiest international freight hub in the Western Hemisphere, and through innovative programs like Compra Fora, MIA is uniquely poised to benefit from the global e-commerce boom responsible for $2.29 trillion in worldwide sales in 2017 – a figure projected to double in the next four years. Market research firm Statista forecasts Latin America to be a strong e-commerce growth region during that span, with a projected doubling of annual sales from $29.8 billion in 2015 to $64.4 billion in 2019. Brazil is Latin America's largest economy, and was responsible for an estimated 65 percent of the region's e-commerce sales in 2018.
"Compra Fora is the latest collaborative effort we've engaged in to streamline and expedite the shipping process across our global cargo network," said Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO. "The Brazilian Government has designated MIA as the only US airport able to pre-clear e-commerce bound to Brazil. We expect that our new partnership with Correios will spur increased trade and commerce between Miami-Dade County and Brazil, the leading economy and e-commerce market in Latin America."
Source : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases
UPS and TerraCycle to trial reusable packaging system
January 28, 2019
UPS has announced that it has partnered with international recycling company TerraCycle to unveil an innovative reusable and returnable tote system for managing consumer packaging. Entitled Loop, the system will be tested in Paris and New York this year as a first step toward full implementation in consumer markets.
The Loop system eliminates the reliance on single-use packaging for consumer goods by offering customers a variety of products in customized, brand-specific, durable packaging that is delivered direct to customers, then collected, cleaned, refilled and redelivered.
“Loop will not just eliminate the idea of packaging waste, but will greatly improve the product experience and shopping convenience,” said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky.
“Innovation is key to everything we do at UPS, and we are thrilled to support TerraCycle with packaging design for the Loop tote, as well as pickup and delivery services for Loop customers,” said UPS chief sales and solutions officer, Kate Gutmann. “As a leader in environmental sustainability, and a champion and catalyst for a circular economy, UPS looks forward to helping to bring Loop to life.”
Loop customers will receive durable, reusable or fully recyclable packaging made from materials such as alloys, glass and engineered plastics. Even the outer shipping container is part of the design innovation – a state-of-the art shipping tote will eliminate the need for single-use boxes and offer consumers an elegant solution that reduces waste.
UPS and TerraCycle collaborated to design outer packaging that can handle liquids, dry goods and personal care products, with protective dividers inside, using materials that offer easy cleaning for reuse. The UPS Package Design and Test Lab helped to custom design and test packaging to be appealing to consumers, yet durable enough to be used time and again. The UPS Lab is certified by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) to conduct ISTA package integrity testing procedures.
“UPS helped TerraCycle to design the exterior and interior of the Loop tote container in ways we could never have done ourselves. Expert UPS testing also helped us to provide feedback to Loop consumer packaged goods partners regarding the primary packaging of products within the tote,” said TerraCycle chief design junkie, Tiffany Threadgould.
Source : ttps://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/parcels
Extension of protection contracts and transfer DHL Delivery GmbHs
January 21, 2019
Ver.di and Deutsche Post AG started collective bargaining on January 14, 2019. ver.di wants to achieve in the negotiations on the one hand, that the now about 13 000 employees of the DHL Delivery GmbHs are transferred to the domestic collective agreements of Deutsche Post AG. Secondly, ver.di will negotiate the extension of the protection contracts in force at Deutsche Post AG.
The regulations on protection against outsourcing in letter and group delivery as well as on the protection of the driving service at Deutsche Post AG would have expired on December 31, 2018. ver.di and Deutsche Post AG agreed in December 2018 to extend these provisions for a period of at least three months to 31 March 2019. At the same time, the collective bargaining parties have agreed to conduct negotiations in the three months to the end of March to transfer the employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs to Deutsche Post AG and to extend all protection contracts.
Community Operating
Deutsche Post AG still adheres to its objective of placing DHL Delivery GmbHs under a uniform management in a so-called joint operation with the respective branch of Deutsche Post AG. Although the parcel delivery service of DHL Delivery and Deutsche Post AG will in future be used jointly by Deutsche Post AG, the flat rate collective agreements will still apply to DHL Delivery employees. There would then be two collective agreements in one branch. The internal collective agreement of Deutsche Post AG and the flat-rate collective agree- ments applicable to DHL Delivery GmbHs are sometimes very different. There are weekly working hours between 38 and 40 hours. The fee at the
Deutsche Post AG is - with the exception of Baden-Württemberg (without Südbaden) - above the payment according to the collective bargaining agreements. The employees of HL Delivery GmbHs have no company pension, no rationalization or dismissal protection or no full 13th monthly salary.
Protection Against Dismissal
The protection contracts at Deutsche Post AG include the exclusion of outsourcing in letter and group mailing and the receipt of personal employment in the car service. This protection is currently valid until 31 March 2019. Collective bargaining agreements to exclude terminations and redundancy cancellations will be effective until 31 December 2019. These contracts will also be included in the negotiations. "We want to continue all existing protection regulations in a big step into the future, so that all employees have perspective and security," said deputy ver.di chairman Andrea Kocsis.
Working Hours
In December 2018, ver.di and Deutsche Post AG also agreed to open negotiations on a collective agreement on working hours in the second quarter of 2019 following the conclusion of collective bargaining for the protection contracts and the transfer of employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs to Deutsche Post AG To take delivery. In view of the imminent changes due to the collection of consignments and the delivery of deadlines, a reasonable uniform collective agreement on working time will protect employees from permanent overloading. The required working time in the delivery must be the starting point for a modern working time regulation. Employees rightly expect clear rules on a reliable end of work and a reliable day off on delivery.
The delivery of letters and parcels was, is and remains the core business of Deutsche Post AG and therefore the employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs belong to Deutsche Post AG. The collective bargaining that has now started will be difficult. But ver.di is convinced that now protected working conditions for all employees under a collective agreement Deutsche Post AG must be realized.
Source : https://psl.verdi.de/tarif
POSTAL NEWS
No 10 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
China Post Beijing Strives to Better Serve Sub-Center. January 31, 2019.
DHL Supply Chain awarded as a Top Employer in eight countries. January 31, 2019.
Poste Italiane has joined the Hyperledger community. January 30, 2019.
USPS Suspends Mail Delivery In Parts Of 10 States Because Of Dangerous Polar Vortex. January 30, 2019.
Keepmoat victory in letterbox campaign. January 29,2019.
China Post Beijing Strives to Better Serve Sub-Center
January 31, 2019
Beijing's municipal administrative center officially moved from Dongcheng district to the city's subcenter in Tongzhou district on January 11, 2019.
China Post Beijing attaches great importance to the development and establishment of service to the subcenter, and will offer services as best as it can according to the planning of the subcenter.
In order to improve the delivery service level and operation quality of China Post Beijing in the city's subcenter, the branch has placed 19 sets of intelligent post parcel mailbox delivery lockers and 114 side lockers with a total of 2,969 boxes in the office areas of the Beijing Communist Party of China (CPC) Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Government, the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Beijing Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform and other departments.
The lockers can be used by China Post and more than ten express companies, which have effectively improved the quality and efficiency of delivery service in the subcenter.
Previously, China Post Beijing opened a Tongzhou morning paper postal route to deliver all kinds of daily newspapers to municipal organs, the Tongzhou CPC District Committee, the Tongzhou District Government and related commissions.
The branch has added 44 delivery staff, 88 electric tricycles, and 97 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Also, 12 experienced delivery staff were selected to form a dedicated team and equipped with four new energy postal transport vehicles.
The branch also organized delivery staff to learn from the extensive experience of China Post Dongcheng's staff to serve the Beijing CPC Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government better. It aims to improve the professional ability and comprehensive quality of the delivery staff to provide high-quality postal service for the city's subcenter.
Source : http://english.chinapost.com.cn/html1/report/190685/7870-1.htm
DHL Supply Chain awarded as a Top Employer in eight countries
January 31, 2019
The market leader in contract logistics was singled out for its approach in the areas of Talent Strategy, Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development.
Top Employers Institute awards DHL Supply Chain for third year in a row
This year DHL Supply Chain was certified as a "Top Employer" in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, UK, Canada, USA, Brazil and China
Besides Talent Strategy, DHL also received top marks in the areas of Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development.
For the third consecutive year DHL Supply Chain, market leader in contract logistics and part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, has again been recognized as a Top Employer on the international stage. This year DHL Supply Chain also received recognition for its outstanding human resources policy in eight countries - including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, UK, Canada, USA, Brazil and China. Together these markets represent around 60% of the division's total workforce.
"We are delighted to be awarded as a Top Employer for the third year in a row. This certificate demonstrates that our efforts to create a sustainable HR strategy at DHL Supply Chain are paying off," said Rob Rosenberg, Global Head of Human Resources at DHL Supply Chain. "Especially in the field of contract logistics, a motivated and well-trained workforce is key to offering customers optimal solutions. Which is why we take a proactive and multi-layered approach to both attracting and retaining employees. And this
approach is proving successful, as shown by this renewed certification from the Top Employers Institute."
For over 25 years, Top Employers Institute has recognized employers around the world who create excellent working conditions for their employees. Certification is based on a comprehensive audit of people processes spanning across 600 aspects of Human Resources. In particular, DHL Supply Chain was singled out for its approach in the areas of Talent Strategy, Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development. The certification process consists of an extensive HR Best Practice survey including a third party audit.
DHL Supply Chain offers several programs aimed at career development und personal development. The in-house Certified Supply Chain Specialist (CSCS) training program offers employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge across all areas of supply chain operations - from transport and warehousing to sales and finance. Programs such as the Global Volunteer Day and the multiple GoHelp initiatives give employees the chance to put into practice the key tenets of social responsibility promoted by DHL - supporting the community, protecting the environment and promoting education.
Source : https://www.dpdhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2019
Poste Italiane has joined the Hyperledger community
January 30, 2019
Blockchain and DLTs are shared databases accessible to all the members of a network. When a shared database is made up of interconnected and immutable blocks of
information, it is known as a blockchain. This offers solutions representing a qualitative step-change, using technologies that will alter the way we store and share information and overturning the idea that centralised control over a physical database ensures greater security.
Membership of Hyperledger is in keeping with the strategic guidelines set out in the Strategic Plan, Deliver 2022. These aim to reinforce Poste Italiane’s digital leadership,
accelerating the process of acquiring new capabilities and experimenting with the use of blockchain and DLTs in order to better understand their potential as drivers of business innovation.
Hyperledger is a multi-venture, multi-stakeholder effort that includes various enterprise blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Members of the global collaboration
include leaders in finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chains, manufacturing and Technology. In a period in which digital evolution is rapidly enabling new services, data security is of growing importance. Against this backdrop, blockchain has the potential to offer an effective response to the issues of security, transparency, interoperability and privacy, and Poste Italiane is committed to making it readily accessible in order to benefit the Italian economy.
Source: https://www.ipc.be/news-portal/general-news/2019/01/31/09/43
USPS Suspends Mail Delivery In Parts Of 10 States Because Of Dangerous Polar Vortex
January 30, 2019
Extreme cold is forcing the U.S. Postal Service to shut down mail delivery in parts of 10 states in the Great Plains and Midwest, reflecting the perilous threat of a polar vortex that's bringing record-low temperatures and biting winds to a broad swath of the U.S.
"Some places could see wind chill readings as low as 60 below zero," the postal service said in announcing the rare decision to keep its mail carriers from making their rounds on Wednesday.
From North Dakota and Nebraska eastward into Illinois and Ohio, it's too cold and windy in many places to deliver the mail, the USPS said.
Employee safety is a top priority for the Postal Service, and this decision was made for their safety," USPS spokeswoman Kim Frum said.
Many public comments echoed that sentiment after the service announced the move on Twitter.
"Thank goodness. I really don't need my mail that badly," Jen Cameron replied, adding, "For real."
Others wrote that the USPS should extend the suspension to an even broader area, with several people saying the entire states of Ohio and Illinois should be on the list.
If you're thinking the mail suspension runs counter to the motto "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers," we'll remind you: That motto is not the official slogan of the USPS. But the phrase became bound to the mail carriers' public image after it was engraved on a post office in New York City.
The motto also doesn't specifically mention intense cold — and that's the danger posed by this weather system, which caused Chicago to wake up to a temperature of minus 22 Wednesday, member station WBEZ reported. In that city and elsewhere, the wind chill is even lower, driven by strong winds.
"The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes," the National Weather Service says, in a wind chill warning issued for parts of Illinois and Indiana. "In addition, the gusty winds will result in areas of blowing snow in open areas through early afternoon, which could result in significantly reduced visibility and hazardous travel."
Along with the Postal Service, many school districts, governments and businesses have shut down operations for the day, out of respect for the subzero temperatures and wind chill.
"While it usually sits over the Arctic, the polar vortex is being pushed south by an unseasonably warm air mass to the north," as NPR's David Schaper reports from Chicago.
It already was so cold in Chicago on Tuesday that to keep trains running, rail crews set fire to the tracks in the area of a junction.
Source : https://www.npr.org/2019/01/30/689890149
Keepmoat victory in letterbox campaign
January 29, 2019
In a major step forward, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders Keepmoat Homes has pledged to recommend an end to installations of low-level letterboxes at all their sites, following representations from the CWU.
After being alerted to a residential development at a huge site in Stoke-on-Trent, where low-level letterboxes were being installed, the union’s national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce launched a local campaign and wrote direct to Keepmoat’s corporate headquarters.
In his letter, Dave cited the recommended construction standard EN13724 and explained that this sets the midpoint of the mail slot at between 700mm (27½ inches) and 1700mm (67 inches) from the ground.
“If all these homes are fitted with low-level letterboxes, it will cause a health and safety risk to postal delivery staff, including back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, and will also increase the risk of trapped fingers and dog bites.”
As well as his urgent appeal to the company, our health and safety head also wrote to Stoke-on-Trent MPs, the city council and the council member for the ward where the development was being built.
Keepmoat regional managing director Gareth Roberts wrote back thanking Dave for highlighting the issue and explaining that this had been “due to a change of supplier.”
With regard to that particular site, Mr Roberts continued: “I have looked into the matter and I can confirm that the remainder of the site will be amended to ensure the recommended letterbox fixing height of between 700mm and 1700mm is achieved.”
And, as a result of the information received, the Keepmoat boss explained that “we have undertaken a full business review I can confirm that the recommendations will be followed on all future developments.”
Dave Joyce said this morning that he was “delighted with the outcome of our efforts to get the low-level letterboxes problem on this site resolved – and I welcome Keepmoat’s response.
“Our members delivering in that area were facing 200-plus houses and apartment blokes on the site about to get low-level letter box doors fitted and that’s now been stopped after our campaign, supported by the MP and Council leader and others.”
The CWU Campaign has included a lobby of Parliament to win support and, on January 16, a Private Members TMR Bill submitted by Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford – The Low-level Letterboxes (Prohibition) Bill 2019 – was passed in the House of Commons. CWU is calling on Minister Kit Malthouse to amend the Building Regulations to make the EN13724 Standard compulsory and make mid-door level letter boxes mandatory.
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
No 9-2019
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
Royal Mail’s profitability threatened by fall in mail. January 31, 2019.
Posti’s Transval acquisition completed. January 30, 2019.
Suncorp renews partnership with Australia Post. January 30, 2019.
MIA, Brazilian Post Office launch expedited shipping service. Compra Fora program provides express global deliveries to Brazil via Miami. January 29, 2019.
UPS and TerraCycle to trial reusable packaging system. January 28, 2019.
Extension of protection contracts and transfer DHL Delivery GmbHs. January 21, 2019.
Royal Mail’s profitability threatened by fall in mail
January 31, 2019
The dynamic between the growth of parcel traffic and the decline of traditional letters determines much of the profitability of the former State Mail providers across the world. Until a year ago it looked as if Royal Mail had at least stabilised this balance.
In an update outlining its results for the past nine months released this week, there was much to be satisfied about. Parcel volumes were up 6% and interestingly Royal Mail outlines that “domestic account parcels volumes, excluding Amazon, were up 8%”, presumably reflecting the strength of non-Amazon e-retailers in the UK. On continental Europe, GLS also continues to grow steadily, with a 5% rise in volumes but 8% higher revenue. Interestingly, GLS seems able to pass on cost increases to its customers.
The problems lie with the traditional mail parts of the business. ‘Addressed letters’ fell by a remarkable 8% year-on-year apparently in part due to the EU’s ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ which restricted activity for promotional mail-shots. Royal Mail limited this decline through increases in price and it expects that the underlying falls will not be as rapid over the longer-term, however the decline in this business is notable.
The impact these trends are having on Royal Mail’s profitability and growth prospects is worrying its investors. The value of the company has declined, with its share price falling 20% below the price at the time of its listing in 2013. Royal Mail says it is expecting
profits before ‘transformation’ costs to be between £500m-£530m which compares with its previous estimates of £550m.
Although Royal Mail has not been able to amplify its growth much through acquisitions nor develop its corporate strategy through expansion beyond Europe, its underlying parcel business seems to be going in the right direction. Rather Royal Mail’s experience is useful in understanding what may well happen to other markets where the shift from mail to e-commerce is not as advanced. The threat may be that the collapse of traditional mail may be faster than expected with the potential to destabilise business models.
Source: https://www.ti-insight.com/briefs
Posti’s Transval acquisition completed
January 30, 2019
Posti Group Corporation has today, January 25, 2019, completed the acquisition of the in-house logistics company Suomen Transval Group Oy. The acquisition was announced in September 2018. Posti acquires the entire share capital of Suomen Transval Group Oy from MB Rahastot and the other shareholders of the company. Transval’s net sales in 2017 were approximately EUR 148 million. It employs 3,500 logistics professionals.
“The acquisition is a step in our logistics services growth strategy. As a result of this acquisition, Posti will become a significant operator in logistics outsourcing solutions in Finland. Together with Transval we will offer the most unique and comprehensive logistics outsourcing solutions on the market from transport to warehousing as well as in-house logistics at customers’ premises. We are impressed by the Transval employees’ capabilities in in-house logistics services and in enhancing the business operations of customers. The acquisition benefits the customers of both companies,” says Sari Helander, Vice President, Posti’s Logistics Solutions.
Transval’s CEO Risto Vilo is happy that the company will have the opportunity to grow together with Posti.
“We see tremendous potential in the increasingly close cooperation with Posti. Transval’s current service portfolio will be complemented with Posti’s logistics services, such as warehouse and value-added services, transport services and other customer needs like online store and parcel services. This acquisition will also benefit our employees who are the key to our company’s success. ”The value of the outsourced logistics markets in Finland is more than EUR 6,000 million.
The value of the outsourced logistics markets in Finland is more than EUR 6,000 million and the annual growth rate of outsourcing is up to 20%. A growing sector in the in-house logistics fields is the in-house logistics of the manufacturing industry and in trade the shelving of goods and refurbishments of products. After the acquisition, Transval will continue to operate as an independent company and the cooperation with Posti will continue to increase. The arrangements will not have an impact on any of the personnel or the current services of the customers.
Posti’s growth expectations on the logistics outsourcing markets are increasing due to the structural change taking place in trade and the growing demand for services, requiring new kinds of logistics arrangements to meet customers’ demands. As a result of the acquisition, the combined entity of logistics services of Posti and Transval will offer the most
comprehensive logistics outsourcing solutions for several different industries to increase the competitiveness of customers.
Logistics outsourcing services cover warehouse and terminal services, transport solutions, in-house logistics services on the customers’ premises and the flexible use of professional personnel. In-house logistics means the processing of material flows by the service provider’s personnel on the customer’s premises. Typical services are, for instance, reception of goods in warehouses, terminals and manufacturing plants, internal transfers, picking and shipping.
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV) approved the acquisition on January 17, 2019, in accordance with restrictions related to Transval’s 3PL customers.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2019
Suncorp renews partnership with Australia Post
January 30, 2019
Suncorp has inked a five-year partnership deal with Australia Post to allow its customers to continue to access over-the-counter banking services in more than 3,500 communities across Australia.
David Carter, Suncorp banking and wealth CEO, said the renewed partnership will give its customers greater choice for their banking needs, wherever they are in Australia.
“Bank@Post is an important service, particularly for those living in regional and remote communities, and Suncorp is committed to ensuring the service is sustainable and continues to evolve with customer needs,” Carter said. “For more than 110 years, Suncorp has supported customers in these locations. We recognise changes in customer behaviour have increased the costs of providing Bank@Post services, however this is an investment worth making so our customers can continue to access banking services locally.”
“Suncorp’s support for the essential Bank@Post service demonstrates their strong commitment to their customers, ensuring they can continue to access banking services
across the nation through their community post office,” said Christine Holgate, Australia Post group CEO and managing director. “Suncorp’s strong leadership will enable us to invest in the future of our post offices, many of which are owned and operated by small business people.”
The refreshed deal allows Suncorp customers to make deposits and withdrawals at any Bank@Post outlet across Australia free of charge.
Source : https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/au/news/breaking-news
MIA, Brazilian Post Office launch expedited shipping service
Compra Fora program provides express global deliveries to Brazil via Miami
January 29, 2019
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami International Airport Director Lester Sola and officials from Miami-Dade County and the Brazilian Post Office (Correios) gathered in Brasilia to announce the launch of Compra Fora ("Buy Outside") – a first-of-its-kind, expedited shipping service that allows e-commerce packages of all sizes from anywhere in the world to be shipped to Miami International Airport (MIA), be pre-cleared by Correios, and arrive in Brazil as domestic cargo within days instead of what used to take weeks or months
Correiros chose MIA as its first Compra Fora partner in large part because the airport ranks first in the U.S. for cargo flights to Brazil and commands 38 percent of the entire MIA-Brazil air trade market. Brazil is MIA's largest international market for passengers and trade value, generating more than 1.5 million travelers and $12 billion in cargo shipments annually.
"This landmark agreement with Correios once again reinforces Miami-Dade County's role as the logistics leader in our hemisphere," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I applaud the efforts of MIA and our trade community, for keeping Miami-Dade County on the forefront of innovation within the global air cargo industry."
Through a joint venture between Miami-based logistics providers SinerlogUSA and Interport Logistics - the first two companies selected by Correios for the Compra Fora program – items purchased by registered Compra Fora customers in Brazil are stored at Interport's facility within Miami-Dade County's Foreign Trade Zone, before being inspected, pre-cleared and shipped from MIA with a Correios label. Those shipments can then arrive in Brazil as domestic cargo and be transported to their final destinations via Correio's logistics network. Compra Fora allows Brazilian customers to have their own postal network addresses, schedule and group their shipments, pay any required taxes or fees, and track their order with the Sinerlog Safety Tracker (SST) system.
The 2006 signing of a Sister Airport agreement between the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the Brazilian Airport Authorities, in partnership with Miami-Dade County's International Trade Consortium (ITC), was one of the contributing factors to the creation of Compra Fora.
"I am extremely pleased to see this initiative become a reality, after years of hard work and collaboration between Miami-Dade County and Correios," said Miami-Dade County
Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Chairman of the ITC. "We expect Compra Fora to provide a significant boost to Miami-Dade County's air trade with Brazil."
As the busiest international freight hub in the Western Hemisphere, and through innovative programs like Compra Fora, MIA is uniquely poised to benefit from the global e-commerce boom responsible for $2.29 trillion in worldwide sales in 2017 – a figure projected to double in the next four years. Market research firm Statista forecasts Latin America to be a strong e-commerce growth region during that span, with a projected doubling of annual sales from $29.8 billion in 2015 to $64.4 billion in 2019. Brazil is Latin America's largest economy, and was responsible for an estimated 65 percent of the region's e-commerce sales in 2018.
"Compra Fora is the latest collaborative effort we've engaged in to streamline and expedite the shipping process across our global cargo network," said Lester Sola, MIA Director and CEO. "The Brazilian Government has designated MIA as the only US airport able to pre-clear e-commerce bound to Brazil. We expect that our new partnership with Correios will spur increased trade and commerce between Miami-Dade County and Brazil, the leading economy and e-commerce market in Latin America."
Source : https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases
UPS and TerraCycle to trial reusable packaging system
January 28, 2019
UPS has announced that it has partnered with international recycling company TerraCycle to unveil an innovative reusable and returnable tote system for managing consumer packaging. Entitled Loop, the system will be tested in Paris and New York this year as a first step toward full implementation in consumer markets.
The Loop system eliminates the reliance on single-use packaging for consumer goods by offering customers a variety of products in customized, brand-specific, durable packaging that is delivered direct to customers, then collected, cleaned, refilled and redelivered.
“Loop will not just eliminate the idea of packaging waste, but will greatly improve the product experience and shopping convenience,” said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky.
“Innovation is key to everything we do at UPS, and we are thrilled to support TerraCycle with packaging design for the Loop tote, as well as pickup and delivery services for Loop customers,” said UPS chief sales and solutions officer, Kate Gutmann. “As a leader in environmental sustainability, and a champion and catalyst for a circular economy, UPS looks forward to helping to bring Loop to life.”
Loop customers will receive durable, reusable or fully recyclable packaging made from materials such as alloys, glass and engineered plastics. Even the outer shipping container is part of the design innovation – a state-of-the art shipping tote will eliminate the need for single-use boxes and offer consumers an elegant solution that reduces waste.
UPS and TerraCycle collaborated to design outer packaging that can handle liquids, dry goods and personal care products, with protective dividers inside, using materials that offer easy cleaning for reuse. The UPS Package Design and Test Lab helped to custom design and test packaging to be appealing to consumers, yet durable enough to be used time and again. The UPS Lab is certified by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) to conduct ISTA package integrity testing procedures.
“UPS helped TerraCycle to design the exterior and interior of the Loop tote container in ways we could never have done ourselves. Expert UPS testing also helped us to provide feedback to Loop consumer packaged goods partners regarding the primary packaging of products within the tote,” said TerraCycle chief design junkie, Tiffany Threadgould.
Source : ttps://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/parcels
Extension of protection contracts and transfer DHL Delivery GmbHs
January 21, 2019
Ver.di and Deutsche Post AG started collective bargaining on January 14, 2019. ver.di wants to achieve in the negotiations on the one hand, that the now about 13 000 employees of the DHL Delivery GmbHs are transferred to the domestic collective agreements of Deutsche Post AG. Secondly, ver.di will negotiate the extension of the protection contracts in force at Deutsche Post AG.
The regulations on protection against outsourcing in letter and group delivery as well as on the protection of the driving service at Deutsche Post AG would have expired on December 31, 2018. ver.di and Deutsche Post AG agreed in December 2018 to extend these provisions for a period of at least three months to 31 March 2019. At the same time, the collective bargaining parties have agreed to conduct negotiations in the three months to the end of March to transfer the employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs to Deutsche Post AG and to extend all protection contracts.
Community Operating
Deutsche Post AG still adheres to its objective of placing DHL Delivery GmbHs under a uniform management in a so-called joint operation with the respective branch of Deutsche Post AG. Although the parcel delivery service of DHL Delivery and Deutsche Post AG will in future be used jointly by Deutsche Post AG, the flat rate collective agreements will still apply to DHL Delivery employees. There would then be two collective agreements in one branch. The internal collective agreement of Deutsche Post AG and the flat-rate collective agree- ments applicable to DHL Delivery GmbHs are sometimes very different. There are weekly working hours between 38 and 40 hours. The fee at the
Deutsche Post AG is - with the exception of Baden-Württemberg (without Südbaden) - above the payment according to the collective bargaining agreements. The employees of HL Delivery GmbHs have no company pension, no rationalization or dismissal protection or no full 13th monthly salary.
Protection Against Dismissal
The protection contracts at Deutsche Post AG include the exclusion of outsourcing in letter and group mailing and the receipt of personal employment in the car service. This protection is currently valid until 31 March 2019. Collective bargaining agreements to exclude terminations and redundancy cancellations will be effective until 31 December 2019. These contracts will also be included in the negotiations. "We want to continue all existing protection regulations in a big step into the future, so that all employees have perspective and security," said deputy ver.di chairman Andrea Kocsis.
Working Hours
In December 2018, ver.di and Deutsche Post AG also agreed to open negotiations on a collective agreement on working hours in the second quarter of 2019 following the conclusion of collective bargaining for the protection contracts and the transfer of employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs to Deutsche Post AG To take delivery. In view of the imminent changes due to the collection of consignments and the delivery of deadlines, a reasonable uniform collective agreement on working time will protect employees from permanent overloading. The required working time in the delivery must be the starting point for a modern working time regulation. Employees rightly expect clear rules on a reliable end of work and a reliable day off on delivery.
The delivery of letters and parcels was, is and remains the core business of Deutsche Post AG and therefore the employees of DHL Delivery GmbHs belong to Deutsche Post AG. The collective bargaining that has now started will be difficult. But ver.di is convinced that now protected working conditions for all employees under a collective agreement Deutsche Post AG must be realized.
Source : https://psl.verdi.de/tarif
POSTAL NEWS
No 10 -2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
China Post Beijing Strives to Better Serve Sub-Center. January 31, 2019.
DHL Supply Chain awarded as a Top Employer in eight countries. January 31, 2019.
Poste Italiane has joined the Hyperledger community. January 30, 2019.
USPS Suspends Mail Delivery In Parts Of 10 States Because Of Dangerous Polar Vortex. January 30, 2019.
Keepmoat victory in letterbox campaign. January 29,2019.
China Post Beijing Strives to Better Serve Sub-Center
January 31, 2019
Beijing's municipal administrative center officially moved from Dongcheng district to the city's subcenter in Tongzhou district on January 11, 2019.
China Post Beijing attaches great importance to the development and establishment of service to the subcenter, and will offer services as best as it can according to the planning of the subcenter.
In order to improve the delivery service level and operation quality of China Post Beijing in the city's subcenter, the branch has placed 19 sets of intelligent post parcel mailbox delivery lockers and 114 side lockers with a total of 2,969 boxes in the office areas of the Beijing Communist Party of China (CPC) Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Government, the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the Beijing Municipal Committee, the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform and other departments.
The lockers can be used by China Post and more than ten express companies, which have effectively improved the quality and efficiency of delivery service in the subcenter.
Previously, China Post Beijing opened a Tongzhou morning paper postal route to deliver all kinds of daily newspapers to municipal organs, the Tongzhou CPC District Committee, the Tongzhou District Government and related commissions.
The branch has added 44 delivery staff, 88 electric tricycles, and 97 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Also, 12 experienced delivery staff were selected to form a dedicated team and equipped with four new energy postal transport vehicles.
The branch also organized delivery staff to learn from the extensive experience of China Post Dongcheng's staff to serve the Beijing CPC Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government better. It aims to improve the professional ability and comprehensive quality of the delivery staff to provide high-quality postal service for the city's subcenter.
Source : http://english.chinapost.com.cn/html1/report/190685/7870-1.htm
DHL Supply Chain awarded as a Top Employer in eight countries
January 31, 2019
The market leader in contract logistics was singled out for its approach in the areas of Talent Strategy, Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development.
Top Employers Institute awards DHL Supply Chain for third year in a row
This year DHL Supply Chain was certified as a "Top Employer" in Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, UK, Canada, USA, Brazil and China
Besides Talent Strategy, DHL also received top marks in the areas of Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development.
For the third consecutive year DHL Supply Chain, market leader in contract logistics and part of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, has again been recognized as a Top Employer on the international stage. This year DHL Supply Chain also received recognition for its outstanding human resources policy in eight countries - including Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, UK, Canada, USA, Brazil and China. Together these markets represent around 60% of the division's total workforce.
"We are delighted to be awarded as a Top Employer for the third year in a row. This certificate demonstrates that our efforts to create a sustainable HR strategy at DHL Supply Chain are paying off," said Rob Rosenberg, Global Head of Human Resources at DHL Supply Chain. "Especially in the field of contract logistics, a motivated and well-trained workforce is key to offering customers optimal solutions. Which is why we take a proactive and multi-layered approach to both attracting and retaining employees. And this
approach is proving successful, as shown by this renewed certification from the Top Employers Institute."
For over 25 years, Top Employers Institute has recognized employers around the world who create excellent working conditions for their employees. Certification is based on a comprehensive audit of people processes spanning across 600 aspects of Human Resources. In particular, DHL Supply Chain was singled out for its approach in the areas of Talent Strategy, Leadership Development, Career & Succession Management and Learning & Development. The certification process consists of an extensive HR Best Practice survey including a third party audit.
DHL Supply Chain offers several programs aimed at career development und personal development. The in-house Certified Supply Chain Specialist (CSCS) training program offers employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge across all areas of supply chain operations - from transport and warehousing to sales and finance. Programs such as the Global Volunteer Day and the multiple GoHelp initiatives give employees the chance to put into practice the key tenets of social responsibility promoted by DHL - supporting the community, protecting the environment and promoting education.
Source : https://www.dpdhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2019
Poste Italiane has joined the Hyperledger community
January 30, 2019
Blockchain and DLTs are shared databases accessible to all the members of a network. When a shared database is made up of interconnected and immutable blocks of
information, it is known as a blockchain. This offers solutions representing a qualitative step-change, using technologies that will alter the way we store and share information and overturning the idea that centralised control over a physical database ensures greater security.
Membership of Hyperledger is in keeping with the strategic guidelines set out in the Strategic Plan, Deliver 2022. These aim to reinforce Poste Italiane’s digital leadership,
accelerating the process of acquiring new capabilities and experimenting with the use of blockchain and DLTs in order to better understand their potential as drivers of business innovation.
Hyperledger is a multi-venture, multi-stakeholder effort that includes various enterprise blockchain and distributed ledger technologies. Members of the global collaboration
include leaders in finance, banking, Internet of Things, supply chains, manufacturing and Technology. In a period in which digital evolution is rapidly enabling new services, data security is of growing importance. Against this backdrop, blockchain has the potential to offer an effective response to the issues of security, transparency, interoperability and privacy, and Poste Italiane is committed to making it readily accessible in order to benefit the Italian economy.
Source: https://www.ipc.be/news-portal/general-news/2019/01/31/09/43
USPS Suspends Mail Delivery In Parts Of 10 States Because Of Dangerous Polar Vortex
January 30, 2019
Extreme cold is forcing the U.S. Postal Service to shut down mail delivery in parts of 10 states in the Great Plains and Midwest, reflecting the perilous threat of a polar vortex that's bringing record-low temperatures and biting winds to a broad swath of the U.S.
"Some places could see wind chill readings as low as 60 below zero," the postal service said in announcing the rare decision to keep its mail carriers from making their rounds on Wednesday.
From North Dakota and Nebraska eastward into Illinois and Ohio, it's too cold and windy in many places to deliver the mail, the USPS said.
Employee safety is a top priority for the Postal Service, and this decision was made for their safety," USPS spokeswoman Kim Frum said.
Many public comments echoed that sentiment after the service announced the move on Twitter.
"Thank goodness. I really don't need my mail that badly," Jen Cameron replied, adding, "For real."
Others wrote that the USPS should extend the suspension to an even broader area, with several people saying the entire states of Ohio and Illinois should be on the list.
If you're thinking the mail suspension runs counter to the motto "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers," we'll remind you: That motto is not the official slogan of the USPS. But the phrase became bound to the mail carriers' public image after it was engraved on a post office in New York City.
The motto also doesn't specifically mention intense cold — and that's the danger posed by this weather system, which caused Chicago to wake up to a temperature of minus 22 Wednesday, member station WBEZ reported. In that city and elsewhere, the wind chill is even lower, driven by strong winds.
"The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes," the National Weather Service says, in a wind chill warning issued for parts of Illinois and Indiana. "In addition, the gusty winds will result in areas of blowing snow in open areas through early afternoon, which could result in significantly reduced visibility and hazardous travel."
Along with the Postal Service, many school districts, governments and businesses have shut down operations for the day, out of respect for the subzero temperatures and wind chill.
"While it usually sits over the Arctic, the polar vortex is being pushed south by an unseasonably warm air mass to the north," as NPR's David Schaper reports from Chicago.
It already was so cold in Chicago on Tuesday that to keep trains running, rail crews set fire to the tracks in the area of a junction.
Source : https://www.npr.org/2019/01/30/689890149
Keepmoat victory in letterbox campaign
January 29, 2019
In a major step forward, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders Keepmoat Homes has pledged to recommend an end to installations of low-level letterboxes at all their sites, following representations from the CWU.
After being alerted to a residential development at a huge site in Stoke-on-Trent, where low-level letterboxes were being installed, the union’s national health, safety and environment officer Dave Joyce launched a local campaign and wrote direct to Keepmoat’s corporate headquarters.
In his letter, Dave cited the recommended construction standard EN13724 and explained that this sets the midpoint of the mail slot at between 700mm (27½ inches) and 1700mm (67 inches) from the ground.
“If all these homes are fitted with low-level letterboxes, it will cause a health and safety risk to postal delivery staff, including back injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, and will also increase the risk of trapped fingers and dog bites.”
As well as his urgent appeal to the company, our health and safety head also wrote to Stoke-on-Trent MPs, the city council and the council member for the ward where the development was being built.
Keepmoat regional managing director Gareth Roberts wrote back thanking Dave for highlighting the issue and explaining that this had been “due to a change of supplier.”
With regard to that particular site, Mr Roberts continued: “I have looked into the matter and I can confirm that the remainder of the site will be amended to ensure the recommended letterbox fixing height of between 700mm and 1700mm is achieved.”
And, as a result of the information received, the Keepmoat boss explained that “we have undertaken a full business review I can confirm that the recommendations will be followed on all future developments.”
Dave Joyce said this morning that he was “delighted with the outcome of our efforts to get the low-level letterboxes problem on this site resolved – and I welcome Keepmoat’s response.
“Our members delivering in that area were facing 200-plus houses and apartment blokes on the site about to get low-level letter box doors fitted and that’s now been stopped after our campaign, supported by the MP and Council leader and others.”
The CWU Campaign has included a lobby of Parliament to win support and, on January 16, a Private Members TMR Bill submitted by Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford – The Low-level Letterboxes (Prohibition) Bill 2019 – was passed in the House of Commons. CWU is calling on Minister Kit Malthouse to amend the Building Regulations to make the EN13724 Standard compulsory and make mid-door level letter boxes mandatory.
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news