POSTAL NEWS
No 39-2021
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1. DPD activates parcel pickup at sports centers in the Netherlands. May 21, 2021.
2. PHLPost tackles undelivered parcels. May 20, 2021.
3. Omniva will create a convenient declaration environment for non-European goods. May 19, 2021.
4. Japan Post’s revenue down by 1.9% over 2020. May 17, 2021.
5. FO Com is the voice of RCPros. May 17, 2021.
1. DPD activates parcel pickup at sports centers in the Netherlands
May 21, 2021
DPD’s sponsorship of sports organization Squash Bond Nederland has taken on a new look with Dutch squash centers being linked up to DPD’s European network of parcel Pickup shops. DPD claims to have Europe’s largest network of parcel collection points, with 58,000 locations spread across the continent and 1,250 in the Netherlands alone.
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DPD states is the first parcel service to undertake a large-scale partnership with sport centers as a means of expanding its network of parcel collection points.
The first Squash Pickup parcel shop was recently opened at MeerSquash & Activity in Hoofddorp. The ceremonial opening was held with international squash player Paul Coll, who is ranked fourth in the world, in attendance.
DPD hopes that its partnership will contribute to increased traffic at the squash locations and bring more people in contact with the sport. An activation program has also been developed in cooperation with Squash Bond Nederland to help advance this goal.
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/lockers-pudo
2. PHLPost tackles undelivered parcels
May 20, 2021 The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) has announced that they have achieved zero backlog of undelivered letter and parcels in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Palawan and Batanes due to the permanent stoppage of the decade old sending of Notification cards since March 23, which causes delays in parcel delivery.
Postmaster General Norman “Mr. Postman” Fulgencio said that as of May 17, the Area 3 Post Offices have conveyed a total volume of 214,730 pieces of undelivered parcels to improve the delivery of public services.
Previously, the addressee or recipient has to receive a Notification Card before a parcel can be picked up at the post office.
“But this time, our clients can now expect safe and convenient door to door delivery of their parcels minus the Notification Cards”, Fulgencio said in a statement.
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He said, “The Post Office has to thank its letter carriers, postal employees, managers and Director Gilbert “Bong” Javier of Postal Area 3 under the leadership of APMGs Joel Zamudio, Maura Baghari-Regis and Maximo Sta. Maria III for achieving this breakthrough in 53 days”.
“We cannot resolve this age-old problem without their support and cooperation”, he added.
Meanwhile, Postmaster General Fulgencio is expected to release the compliance of the “zero backlog“project in all postal areas and regions in the country.
“Our heartfelt gratitude for the public’s kind understanding and patience. The postal service is far from being perfect, but we are continuously improving. Again, our apologies”, the Postmaster General said.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/138015/news/post
3. Omniva will create a convenient declaration environment for non-European goods
May 19, 2021
From 1 July, new pan-European tax amendments will come into force, and it will become mandatory to declare and pay VAT on parcels from third countries (e.g. USA, China and now also the UK) that cost less than 22 euros. This means that the lower limit of tax exemption for goods outside of Europe will be abolished. For this purpose, Omniva will develop an application where the client sees the information of the goods they will receive and can declare them quickly and conveniently.
The clients should also consider that taxation of the goods depends on when the parcel arrives to the country, not when it was ordered. This means that the client must declare and pay VAT on all goods coming from outside of Europe after 1 July, regardless of whether the goods were ordered from the third country’s e-store in June, May or even earlier.
Omniva will develop an application for the Minu.Omniva.ee platform for more convenient declaration of goods, which allows tracking incoming parcels, authorise Omniva to declare the parcels for you and pay the necessary fees.
“The app will help people save time on formalities, allowing them to perform all the necessary declaration processes in one environment. If the electronic preliminary information of the shipment is sent correctly from the destination country, it is possible to declare your parcel quickly and conveniently before it arrives in Estonia. This creates an environment for the parcel to move to the recipient immediately without additional delays for customs formalities,” said Omniva head of international segment Marita Mägi.
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Whereas before the declaration convenience service cost 10 euros per shipment, now a multiplier fee will be applied for duty-free i.e. shipments that cost less than 150 euros. In addition to the import duties, the person who orders must also pay a small buffer fee to even out the exchange rate differences, the excess of which will be refunded to the client automatically once the shipment has arrived to Estonia and released by customs.
For shipments where customs duties (value from 150 euros), irregular VAT rates or other restrictions apply the usual manual declaration process is used and the current declaration fee is valid.
“It is already possible to sign up in the minu.omniva.ee environment today. This way you can conveniently declare your shipments once 1 July arrives. At the moment, it is possible to perform all other parcel processes there and select preferred channels for receiving the parcel,” Mägi said.
The majority of parcels costing less than 22 euros arrive to Estonia from China. Since the tax changes are implemented across Europe, notethat people’s interest in ordering from China will be greater than normal in this quarter, and therefore the risk of extended delivery times is also more prevalent. This in turn means that the goods might not reach Estonia before July. To ensure faster and tracked shipping, Omniva recommends using the AliExpress Standard Shipping when ordering from AliExpress or consider express shipping solutions.
Source : https://www.omniva.ee/about_us/news/all_news/news
4. Japan Post’s revenue down by 1.9% over 2020
May 17, 2021
For the year ending March 31, 2021, Japan Post Holdings reported its revenue (ordinary income) fell by 1.9% to ¥*11,720.403m. However, the company’s net ordinary income rose by 5.8% to ¥914,164m. Net income attributable to Japan Post Holdings fell by 13.5% year-on-year. For Japan Post Co. revenues fell marginally by 0.04% as the International Logistics Business’ performance offset the revenue declines from the other segments.
The Postal and Domestic Logistics Business segment saw ordinary income amount to ¥2,071,877m, down by 2.5% or ¥56,310m y-o-y. Net ordinary income totalled ¥126,587m (down ¥22,598m y-o-y). With regard to the total volume of items handled for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, the volume of mails handled decreased by 6.8% y-o-y to 15,244.03m, the volume of Yu-Mail handled decreased by 7.5% y-o-y to 3,299.31m.
Thanks to the boom in e-commerce, the volume of Yu-Pack handled increased by 11.9% y-o-y to 1,090.79m (including an increase of the volume of Yu-Packet handled by 16.1% y-o-y to 496.7m) at Japan Post Co. (non-consolidated).
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In the International Logistics Business, a significant step was made in its disposal of Toll Group’s assets by agreeing to the sale of Toll’s ‘Global Express’ business. It continued to expand B2B businesses mainly through contract logistics, utilizing JP Toll Logistics Co., Ltd. Business results continued to be lacklustre, however, with a harsh external business environment due to a slowdown in the Australian economy, US-China trade frictions and the spread of COVID-19, further compounded by the effect of cyber-attacks, etc. Toll had been considering the sale of its global express business, which was persistently operating at a loss, and in April 2021, it determined to transfer its ownership to affiliated companies of Allegro Funds Pty Ltd. As a result of these initiatives, income and expenses both increased, due mainly to continuing large-scale handling of COVID-19 prevention supplies by the Global Logistics Asia division. The business saw ordinary income reach ¥750,069m, up by 18.1% or ¥114,874m y-o-y. Net ordinary loss amounted to ¥7,003m (net ordinary loss of ¥21,447m in the previous fiscal year), net operating income (EBIT) in the international logistics business of Japan Post Co. amounted to ¥3,505m (net operating loss of ¥8,683m in the previous fiscal year) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
For the Post Office Business segment ordinary income fell by 4.1% in 2020 to ¥1,245,179m (down by ¥54,751m compared to 2019), and net ordinary income amounted to ¥38,796m (down ¥6,290m y-o-y). This was primarily due to issues being discovered in the quality of insurance solicitations by Japan Post Co. for Japan Post Insurance products.
Source: Japan Post
*$= ¥109 / €= ¥130
Source : https://www.ti-insight.com/
5. FO Com is the voice of RCPros
May 17, 2021
The RCPROS (Banking Advisors for Professionals) attached to the DEDT (Enterprise and Regional Development Department) are not spared by the deterioration of their working conditions and the constant increase in their objectives. But does it really make sense for La Poste to keep them as all non-essential businesses are closed?
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As early as February, FO Com raised this problem to management and was heard since the objectives will be reduced.
FO Com demanded the opening of negotiations for a social agreement specific to the staff of the Banque des PROS. We were heard and the Management presented us with a provisional timetable.
FO Com is pleased to have been able to obtain the opening of this site that we have been waiting for months and fully intends to uphold the demands raised by the many RCPROS.
We will be very demanding to obtain an agreement allowing the agents of the Bank of PROS to work in better conditions but also to benefit from the opening of professional paths.
Source : http://www.focom-laposte.fr/
POSTAL NEWS
No 40-2021
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1. Now It Is Easier to File FECA COVID Claims. May 21, 2021.
2. B.C. launches cargo e-bike micro hub project in Vancouver. May 21, 2021.
3. Swiss Post makes a good start to 2021. May 20, 2021.
4. Active Ants and Nedcargo sign strategic Benelux partnership agreement. May 19, 2021.
5. PostNL parcel lockers at Albert Heijn Supermarkets. May 18, 2021.
1. Now It Is Easier to File FECA COVID Claims
May 21, 2021
The recently signed American Rescue Plan of 2021 makes it easier to file Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) claims for COVID-19. The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) wants federal and postal employees to know that anyone who is a “covered employee” can file a COVID-19 claim.
A covered employee is someone whose job requires contact with the public or co-workers. If you qualify and are diagnosed with COVID-19, you qualify for FECA coverage. Even if you had COVID in the past, OWCP is encouraging postal workers to file a claim now in case you need covered care in the future.
See the flyer below for information on who qualifies and how employees can register in Employees' Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP) and file a claim.
The APWU will be working with OWCP on more way to educate postal workers about filing FECA claims for COVID. In the meantime, please circulate the attached flyer as broadly as possible.
Source : https://apwu.org/news
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2. B.C. launches cargo e-bike micro hub project in Vancouver
May 21, 2021
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming says a cargo e-bike hub will help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
A delivery person is pictured riding a cargo e-bike in downtown Vancouver, B.C.
in this undated handout photo. PHOTO BY HANDOUT / BC GOVERNMENT
The B.C. government is launching a new e-bike micro hub pilot project in Vancouver in response to the growing demand for home delivery.
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming says it will also help to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
“Investing in green transportation is an important part of our CleanBC plan, and a necessity to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Fleming, in a statement Thursday morning.
“With COVID-19, there has been a surge in online shopping, same-day shipping and home delivery, increasing the number of delivery trucks on B.C.’s roads. This project will support efficient last-mile delivery that does not add congestion, noise or air pollution to Vancouver’s busy downtown core.”
The government says at the hub packages can be transferred from trucks, stored and then delivered by cargo e-bike to the final delivery point.
The Vancouver-led, province-funded project for a shared micro hub will begin in June 2021 and run for 14 months.
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A project evaluation in spring 2022 will focus on productivity, capacity, cost, incidents and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions achieved.
The government says in addition to emission reductions, the cargo e-bike micro hub will ease issues, such as double-parking, circling to find loading/parking and related congestion, and improve road safety by reducing cargo vehicles.
Mayor of Vancouver Kennedy Stewart said they must find ways to deliver goods and services more sustainably because of the climate emergency.
“Cargo bikes have the potential to replace vans or trucks for many types of urban deliveries. The city is excited to partner with the province and to work with businesses to encourage more emission-free last-mile deliveries,” he said, in a statement.
The B.C. government is providing $200,000 in funding, while the city will provide a full-time employee to manage the project, including co-ordination and outreach to businesses.
The ministry grant will contribute funding for co-ordination, building rental and maintenance, data collection and analysis.
Results will be used to develop a business case to assess the value of supporting future micro-hub projects.
Source : https://vancouversun.com/news
3. Swiss Post makes a good start to 2021
May 20, 2021
In its results for the first quarter of 2021, Swiss Post recorded slightly higher Group profit, somewhat lower operating profit and stable revenue year-on-year. Swiss Post began the new strategy period well under the new Group structure during the first three months of the year.
It started equally strongly in terms of day-to-day operations. Parcel volumes, which remained high, were processed reliably under the new organizational structure.
Swiss Post generated Group profit of 91 million francs in the first quarter of 2021, which is 7 million francs more than the previous year’s figure. Operating profit (EBIT) came in at 89 million francs, 26 million down on the first quarter of 2020. Revenue (operating income) remained stable at 1,829 million francs, rising by around 84 million francs compared to the first three months of the prior year – which represents an increase of 4.8 percent. “Swiss Post got off to a good start operationally in the new year and in the new strategy period,” says Alex Glanzmann, CFO at Swiss Post.
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Group key figures
Description
Unit
Full year
2020
Q1
2020
Q1 2021
Operating income
CHF million
7’054
1’745 [1]
1’829
Operating profit (EBIT) [2]
CHF million
272
115
89
Group profit
CHF million
178
84
91
Total assets
CHF million
124’274
133’609
131’942
Equity
CHF million
6’906
6’643
7’015
Investments
CHF million
401
63 [1]
119
Headcount at Swiss Post Group
FTEs [3]
39’089
39’622
39’623
Pooling strengths bolsters core business
In the mail business, the volume of addressed letters declined by –5.1 percent, while parcel volumes continued to grow. Swiss Post employees processed 34.2 percent more parcels than during the same period a year ago. Swiss Post is adapting to this trend. Since the start of the year, parcel and letter processing have been merged into the same unit.
Logistics strengths have been combined to ensure optimal processing of parcel volumes to bolster Swiss Post’s core business. The transition ran seamlessly. “We ensured the high parcel volumes were processed reliably under the new organizational structure, which gives us greater flexibility,” notes Glanzmann. This is also reflected in the result of the Logistics Services unit which – adjusted for the effect of an insurance payment in the previous year – rose due to the higher parcel volumes. There were also positive developments at PostalNetwork, Mobility Services with PostBus and Swiss Post Solutions, while the (digital) Communication Services unit posted a lower result as anticipated.
At PostFinance, customer deposits rose year-on-year despite customer asset fees. However, these measures have led to a shift towards funds and securities investments to some extent (non interest-sensitive customer assets). Overall, the growth in customer assets stood at –1.8 billion francs in the first quarter. Income from the interest and capital market was down on the previous year. Coronavirus has also had an impact on PostFinance. People are still travelling less than before the pandemic. The conversion gains from cash
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withdrawals in foreign currencies at ATMs in Switzerland and abroad and from the use of credit cards also fell in the first quarter of 2021.
New strategy guarantees strong public service
Swiss Post has had a new Group structure (see box) and has been implementing the “Swiss Post of tomorrow” strategy since the start of the year. It is still too early to provide specific statements on the extent to which the new strategy and structure are impacting on operating income or the result in the current year. However, the negative trends of Swiss Post’s previously centralized value drivers – letter volumes, over-the-counter transactions and interest – have been evident for some time. Alex Glanzmann firmly believes: “Recipes from the past are no solution for the challenges of the future.” By pursuing its new strategy, Swiss Post is embarking on a path into the future which will focus on continuing to provide Switzerland with modern postal services and guaranteeing a strong public service. The Swiss Post of tomorrow is based on four pillars: investment, growth, efficiency improvements and price measures. “This will ensure Swiss Post can remain independent, continue to make everyday life easier for people and enable companies in Switzerland to progress,” emphasizes Glanzmann.
How Swiss Post has been organized since the start of the year
Swiss Post aligned its Group structure to the new strategy on 1 January 2021. PostMail and PostLogistics were merged. Logistics competencies are pooled in the Logistics Services unit and digital competencies combined in the Communication Services unit. PostalNetwork, PostFinance, Swiss Post Solutions and PostBus remain virtually unchanged organizationally.
Source : https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/media/press-releases/2021
4. Active Ants and Nedcargo sign strategic Benelux partnership agreement
May 19, 2021
Active Ants (subsidiary of bpost group) and Nedcargo, originally two Dutch companies, will enter into a partnership in Willebroek to offer a joint e-commerce solution in the Benelux on the food and beverage market, where Nedcargo already has a strong presence.
Active Ants will open a new site in the same Willebroek premises as Nedcargo in July 2021. In order to support the growth of the Belgian e-commerce market, they will set up their advanced robot-driven e-commerce system there. The two companies started identifying collaboration opportunities as soon as they got to know each other. “Nedcargo has a strong position in food and liquor, a segment where we are scarcely active in, though one with big e-commerce needs,” says Jeroen Dekker, one of the founders of Active Ants.
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As a food and liquor distributor, Nedcargo supplies all large supermarkets in the Benelux, as well as wholesalers, speciality stores and hospitality, from Willebroek.What’s missing is e-commerce. “Currently, our customers often use resellers for the e-commerce channel. We are now able to offer a direct e-commerce channel through Active Ants,” says Nedcargo COO Jurgen Mook.
As a 3PL provider, Active Ants mainly focuses on fast-growing online retailers who place all their stock with Active Ants to meet their picking, packing and shipping needs.
Seeing huge growth on the e-commerce market last year, bpost group identified opportunities to launch the unique activities of its subsidiary Active Ants in Belgium. Activities for the first five Belgian customers will begin as early as this summer. Active Ants sees the partnership with Nedcargo as a driver of accelerated growth in Belgium.
Nedcargo CEO/founder Roderick de la Houssaye is delighted to be able to offer an e-commerce solution not only in the Benelux but also across Europe in partnership with Active Ants. “There are still a few obstacles for alcoholic beverages outside the Benelux, as every country has it own excise rules. We are now able to supply excise goods in France and Germany alongside the Benelux. Another four countries will be added to that list over the next few months. Our ambition is to be able to supply the whole of Europe.”
Kathleen Van Beveren, CEO Parcels & Logistics Eurasia bpost group: “bpost group does more than just handing out parcels: we take care of the entire process that precedes the last mile, from product storage to order processing and preparation for transport. Both retailers and e-tailers are looking for a partner who can take care of this entire logistics process. The demand for a global player to help realise an omni-commerce strategy is high. Our offer responds to a growing need. This cooperation with Nedcargo, among others, confirms this.”
Source : https://press.bpost.be/
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5. PostNL parcel lockers at Albert Heijn Supermarkets
May 18, 2021
Consumers shopping at bol.com can now collect their parcels from PostNL parcel lockers located at five Albert Heijn stores in Voorhout, Delft, Alkmaar, Nijmegen and Maastricht.
When ordering on bol.com, they can select the PostNL parcel locker as a delivery option. When the package has arrived, the locker can be opened with a code. Other packages with a PostNL shipping label can also be sent or returned via the parcel machine.
The lockers have between 16 and 49 doors each.
Three of the parcel lockers are installed inside the store, so access is limited to supermarket opening hours. The remaining two are located outside and are accessible round the clock.
The PostNL parcel lockers can also be used for e-commerce returns.
PostNL has a network of about 150 parcel lockers.
Source : http://www.thepostalhub.com/blog