UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 64-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.Posti is once again a finalist in the international World Sustainability Awards 2022. August 12, 2022.
2.Test operations begin at expanded Austrian Parcel Logistics Centre. August 11, 2022.
3.Why are postal workers striking in such large numbers? August 10, 2022.
4.FedEx office pilots ford e-transit vans for FedEx SameDay® City Service. August 09, 2022.
5.Postal enterprises courier success messages to NCEE examinees. August 08, 2022
1.Posti is once again a finalist in the international World Sustainability Awards 2022
August 12, 2022 Posti has again been selected as a finalist in the global World Sustainability Awards 2022. Posti is a finalist in the Profit with Purpose category with seven other companies. The category "recognizes companies that have put sustainable growth at the heart of how they do business." In 2021, Posti updated its strategy and, as part of this work, its purpose: "Responsibly delivering what matters to you - on your terms." "Logistics is one of the most polluting industries and the only one where emissions are increasing, not decreasing. At the same time, functioning logistics is a necessity for people's lives. That's why we have to be able to break the connection between the growth of logistics demand and the growth of emissions and deliver things without emissions", says Posti's Sustainability Director Noomi Jägerhorn. "Sustainability is at the core of Posti's strategy, values , and purpose. To deliver things sustainably in the future, we must operate without producing emissions and make sure that people are feeling well." Last year, Posti was selected as a finalist and awarded as the winner in the emissions reduction category. The worldwide competition, which is respected in its field, is organized annually. This year, the panel awards companies in 11 categories for various sustainability measures such as emission reductions, circular economy, and diversity.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/uutiset/2022/posti-is-once-again-a-finalist-in-theinternational-world-sustainability-awards-2022/
2.Test operations begin at expanded Austrian Parcel Logistics Centre August 11, 2022
Austrian Post has announced that the new parcel sorting machines at the expanded Allhaming logistics are set to begin test operations.
The expansion programme began in April last year, and the plan is to have the new equipment operating at full capacity in time for the winter peak season. Peter Umundum, Managing Director for Parcel & Logistics, Austrian Post, commented: “With a sorting capacity of up to 30,500 parcels per hour, the parcel logistics centre in Allhaming is the most powerful location in Austrian Post’s network. We need this service in order to be able to continue to process import and export volumes to and from Germany and other countries quickly in addition to domestic parcels, even with high volumes.” In addition to the expansion of the parcel distribution, a new delivery base and an office building were also built. Currently, finalisation work is still taking place in the outdoor area, including the preparation of the green areas, the creation of a biotope as well as the installation of nesting boxes and the settlement of wild bees. The roof of the new building is currently being greened and will also receive a photovoltaic system with an output of around 500 kilowatts peak (kWp). The commissioning of the expansion is planned for October 2022.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/149511/news/test-operations-begin-at-expanded-austrianparcel-logistics-centre/
4.FedEx office pilots ford e-transit vans for FedEx SameDay® City Service
Nine pilot markets selected to test Ford E-Transits in various road and weather conditions PLANO, Texas, August 9, 2022 – FedEx Office, a world-class provider of convenient, state-of-the-art printing, packing and shipping services and subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), in collaboration with Ford Pro, today announced it is piloting ten Ford E-Transit vans across its FedEx SameDay City network as part of the goal to transition its entire pickup and delivery fleet to zero tailpipe emission vehicles by 2040 in alignment with the overall fleet electrification goal for FedEx. FedEx SameDay City is the company’s local shipping option,
The vehicles are being tested in nine markets coast-to-coast to assess performance in different road and weather conditions: Chandler, Ariz., Newark, Calif., Boca Raton, Fla., Clearwater, Fla., Plantation, Fla., Chicago, Ill., Madison Heights, Mich., Allen, Texas and Frisco, Texas. The Ford E-Transit has a targeted range of 126 miles on a single charge, making it an ideal vehicle for local courier delivery. FedEx Office has installed charging stations dedicated to these vehicles at each van’s home location and will supplement with remote charging stations in each market as needed to meet charging needs along courier routes. “The EV market for commercial vehicles now has more options than ever before, enabling FedEx Office to explore different sustainable vehicle technologies to incorporate into our fleet as FedEx works to electrify its entire parcel pickup and delivery fleet by 2040,” said Brian Philips, president and CEO of FedEx Office. “FedEx SameDay City is a perfect use-case for testing the capabilities of the Ford E-Transit. With the vehicle’s range and the availability ofcharging infrastructure, we are excited to see how this vehicle performs in our operation and helps us understand the path forward to scale an electrification strategy for FedEx Office.” FedEx has set an ambitious goal to achieve global carbon neutral operations by 2040. This goal includes transforming the entire FedEx parcel pickup and delivery fleet to all-electric, zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles by 2040. As part of this transition, FedEx Office is first to test the Ford E-Transit for FedEx and it help FedEx Office better understand how to transition to electric transportation operations. “We are thrilled FedEx Office selected E-Transit as the test battery electric vehicle for FedEx SameDay City,” said Tim Baughman, general manager Ford Pro North America. “Ford Pro’s advancements in technology and work-ready electric products will help companies like FedEx improve productivity, lower ownership cost and accelerate a carbon emissions free future.” In addition to the Ford E-Transit, RoxoTM, the FedEx SameDay Bot®, is being designed for same-day, last-mile delivery. As e-commerce volumes continue to rise, Roxo could help transform the future of shipping and logistics by making widespread same-day, last-mile delivery a reality while providing a safer, more sustainable solution with reduced street traffic and emissions. By reducing emissions and waste, replacing older technologies and vehicles, and revolutionizing facilities and packaging, FedEx Office is taking significant action to advance its environmental stewardship. In fiscal year 2021 (June 2020-May 2021) these initiatives resulted in: • Sustainable Paper Purchases: 99.8% of all paper purchased by FedEx Office were sourced from third-party certified sustainable forest programs. • Recycling Programs: 9.4M pounds of paper, 15K pounds of print consumables, 10.6K pounds of styrene and in a new program in fiscal year 2022 about 38k toner cartridges recycled. • Conserving Energy: The Energy Management System and LED lighting used at FedEx Offices saved 52.2M kWH of electricity and 37K metric tons of CO2 (equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of 8,000 cars). FedEx Office recently introduced the Ford E-Transit to team members across participating markets through a canned food drive for local food banks and women’s shelters. This food drive resulted in participation from team members in 60 FedEx Office stores and the corporate headquarters resulting in a donation of hundreds of reusable tote bags filled with items. For more on sustainability at FedEx, please visit fedex.com/sustainability
Source: https://newsroom.fedex.com/newsroom/united-states/fedex-office-pilots-ford-etransit-vans-for-fedex-sameday-city-service
5.Postal enterprises courier success messages to NCEE examinees August 08, 2022
On July 7, the first admission letter of the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) for 2022 in Beijing was sent out by Beijing Language and Culture University, and Beijing Postal Branch wasted no time couriering it to the recipient Tian Dongsen, a student in Beijing No. 80 High School. This marks the official launch of college enrollment in Beijing, it also means that Beijing Postal Branch kicks off the delivery of admission letters. After that, more and more admission letters will be sent to the examinees by EMS through postal network, bringing joy of success to thousands of families at the same time.+ To facilitate the delivery of this year’s admission letters, postal enterprises have formulated detailed work plans in advance and opened green passages in all links. They handle admission letters separately and with priority throughout the whole process. In the make-up procedure, they apply special envelopes, dedicated neck labels and other special marks, and have video surveillance monitor the whole procedure. Moreover, postal enterprises treat all the admission letters as mail with special security requirements, and provide proactive customer service to track the mail status in real time and give timely feedback to colleges, so as to ensure the security and timeliness of the mail.
Source : http://english.chinapost.com.cn/ht ml1/report/22071/1276-1.html
POSTAL NEWS No 63-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.USPS proposes peak season temporary rate adjustments. August 12, 2022.
2.DHL Parcel UK receives great place to work certification August 11, 2022.
3.Royal Mail strike – mobilising our Divisions across the UK. August 10, 2022.
4.Swiss Post plans to acquire a majority shareholding in Axsana. August 09, 2022.
5.PostNL reports normalised EBIT of €10 million for Q2 2022. August 08, 2022.
1.USPS proposes peak season temporary rate adjustments August 12, 2022
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price adjustment for key package products for the 2022 peak holiday season.
In a statement posted on its website on Wednesday (10 August), USPS said this temporary rate adjustment is similar to ones in past years that help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season. The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on 9 August, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), First-Class Package Service (FCPS), Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground. International products would be unaffected. Pending favourable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at 12 a.m. Central on 2 October and remain in place until 12 a.m. Central 22 January 2023. USPS added: “This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices. No structural changes are planned as part of this limited pricing initiative.” The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect on 2 October.
Click here to view full details of the planned price changes. A full list of commercial and retail pricing can be found on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm
Source : https://postandparcel.info/149559/news/usps-proposes-peak-season-temporary-rateadjustments/
2.DHL Parcel UK receives great place to work certification August 11, 2022
DHL Parcel UK has received Great Place to Work Certification, based on employee feedback through the Great Place to Work Trust Index and details about DHL’s people programs and practices.
From 2020 to 2022, the company invested further in its people with a particular focus on well-being and development. Every single employee goes through a certified e-commerce specialist program as part of their personal development, along with additional training and development programs. To support employee well-being, all colleagues have access to free counseling and support as well as specific training courses aimed at raising awareness about mental health. Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture and certification signifies employers that are characterized by a trust-based, ‘people first’ workplace culture. The survey covers areas such as manager credibility, fairness, respect, camaraderie, honesty and pride. The certification process provides important information about the current state of the workplace culture, enabling the business to measure, understand and develop its culture further. Peter Fuller, CEO of DHL Parcel UK, said, “We’re delighted to have been recognized a ‘great place to work’ – it’s a testament to all the efforts of our team over the last five years. Our people are what make our business great so it’s critical that we create an environment where people feel that they belong, where they can develop careers and stay with us for the long term. We plan to use the insights gained from the process to keep improving and continue on our employer of choice journey.”
Source: https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/staff-personnel/dhlparcel-uk-receives-great-place-to-work-certification.html
3.Royal Mail strike – mobilising our Divisions across the UK August 10, 2022
‘We’re battle ready’ is the immediate response from CWU reps from all corners of the UK, as union prepares for biggest strike of the summer.
Around 115,000 postal workers have been called out for four days – Friday 26th and Wednesday 31st August and then Thursday 8th and Friday 9th September – in what will be the largest action of this 2022’s Hot Strike Summer.
As soon as the action was announced yesterday evening – by our general secretary Dave Ward and deputy general secretary postal Terry Pullinger – CWU reps all around the country got busy mobilizing and setting plans in place for the battle ahead. CWU News asked our Divisional Representatives, senior field officers of the union, for their immediate reactions.
North Wales/North West & Midlands – ‘Stick together, dig in & see it through’ “Not before time brother,” was Ian Taylor’s first response to the callout, adding: “That’s the overwhelming feeling of the representatives and the members we’ve been speaking to, in the face of some unprecedented aggression by the business.” Ian told us that, with over 100 workplaces – including the new Warrington ‘superhub’, as well as some of the larger delivery offices – and over 15,000 members, the North Wales/North West area is going to be crucial in the battle ahead and the plan is for meetings to be held at every unit between now and Strike Day One on 26th August. “We’ve asked for there to be meetings in every single unit and every single member spoken to. We’ve got to win, we can win and I’ve got no doubt we’ll do it if we all stick together.” Paul Kennedy told us that “our members will be up for this. They’re outraged about what’s happened on pay, with the company continually giving away so much money to shareholders – which our members find offensive.” He estimates the Midlands membership at “about 16,000 members, with probably around 200 delivery offices, four mail centres, the national distribution hub and the national parcel hub.” Midlands Division are meeting today and Paul said that he was expecting “a really good discussion, given Royal Mail’s completely unacceptable attitude. He shares the optimism that the union can achieve a positive outcome, but he also warns that this is likely to be a tough dispute, saying that the current CEO Simon Thompson has “brought in a gang of managers from Jaguar/Land Rover who have a blueprint for the business,” which is not in the interests of the workforce. “We need to prepare ourselves for quite a substantial dispute – dig in and see it through to victory.” Anglia & South Central – ‘We’re the strongest trade union & members are chomping at the bit’ “The right decision and it’ll be fully supported from our members in Anglia,” says Barry Jennings, who praises our general secretary and DGSP as “the best leaders in the movement” and describes CWU members as “brilliant.” As well as gate meetings at some 300 workplaces, the Division is also hoping to organise “a couple of mass meetings” among its approximately 14,000 members, he continues and predicts that the union can win this dispute. “Of course we can win, we’re the strongest trade union in the movement.”
Reporting from South Central Division, Dermot Fuller says that the declaration was “inevitable and the only thing we could do in the circumstances. “I think, from the conversations we’ve had with our members and their questions asking when we were going to announce something, that they were chomping at the bit and I think they’re ready to go. “I think the general feeling is: ‘Bring it on’,” he says, adding that there are over 11,000 members in South Central, at approximately 100 units and that a meeting of reps is due to be held tomorrow. Scotland, Northern Ireland & North East – ‘Massive support, we’re ready for action’ Fra Martin tells CWU News that the call-to-arms would be “much welcomed here in Northern Ireland” and predicted “massive support” across the Division’s circa 2,600 members working at around 25 workplaces. “I’m delighted to hear it, it’s a long time overdue and also a very considered response by the union,” he says, adding that he was just returning from a members’ meeting in Lisburn and intends to visit further units in the coming few days. “Northern Ireland is ready for action.” “I’m up in Stirling at the moment,” says Tam Dewar, speaking as he prepared for a gate meeting at the town’s delivery office and having just returned from meeting with West Scotland and Clyde Valley reps. Scotland’s approximately 10,000 members – at over 100 workplaces – will be “solid,” he continued and, strongly criticising the company’s bosses, Tam said: “The national leadership of Royal Mail leadership have treated our negotiators with contempt and they’ve absent during the talks. The people they’ve put in the talks wouldn’t know the difference between a parcel and a doughnut. “Scotland the Brave is ready.” South of the border, Bob Maguire describes the action announcement as “the right call at the right time” and that, “from the feedback I’ve been getting from members and reps, people are up for the action.” Reps in the North East – a Division with around 15,000 members and over 150 workplaces – have been getting together today, Bob continues, adding that “the feeling I’m getting is that this is the right decision and that people are absolutely sick to the back teeth of Mr Thompson and his cronies.” South East – ‘I’ve never seen such a unanimous feeling from members’ “It’s actually a relief to finally get some dates on the board,” says Steve Wisley “and the membership we represent in the South East are as one. People relaise if we don’t do something, we’ll be in a much worse position.” Younger members are standing up strongly as well as the more experienced workers, Steve comments, estimating that this Division has “around 10,000 members” in “over 100” units, including mail centres at Medway, Gatwick, Croydon and Jubilee.
“It feels like we’re the forgotten workforce,” he continues. “Like they’re saying: ‘Thanks for your hard work in the pandemic, but we’re now in a new era and we’ve got to make sure we’ve got plenty and the rest of you have to make do with what’s left over’. “We’re mobilising and, if you ask me whether we can win, I’d say we’ve got to win. More so for the next generation coming up behind us.” London – ‘If they want a row, they’re going to get it’ “Our members welcome the call from Dave and Terry,” says Mark Palfrey. “Some are saying it’s long overdue.” London Division is considering organising “some kind of event” on the first strike day, he continues, explaining that this will be at one of the larger of London’s circa 120 workplaces and that, in the meantime, area reps across London have been meeting members and continuing to engage with as many of the capital’s approximately 6,500 members as possible. “Our members are in a good place, confident, but not complacent, and fully behind the action,” Mark says. “We think it’s going to be a long, bitter struggle, but we’re prepared to go all the way. “What’s at stake is the future of the industry.” While urging the company to get back to the negotiating table, Mark points out that if the business chooses conflict over peace, then the fault for the dispute lies squarely with Royal Mail bosses, saying: “We want agreement, but if they want a row, they’re going to get it.” South Wales/South West – ‘Members are more confident and better organised than ’09 and ‘07’ “Back in 2007 and 2009, our reps had to spread themselves across the D.O. picket lines, because we had so many units without reps – but now, from all units, we’re getting volunteers to be picket supervisors,” reports South West assistant regional secretary Ian Trehearne. “Those were big strikes with good turnouts, but this time I feel there’s more confidence among the membership – and all reports have been really positive all the way from Lands End to Worcester.” Ian says that, when he heard the callout last night, his first reaction was: “It’s about time – Royal Mail have been really pushing their luck over the recent period and members have become massively p****d off, especially after they worked so hard all through the pandemic. “We can win. We will win – we’ve got to win.” CWU Wales secretary Gary Watkins told CWU News that “Royal Mail’s position on pay is untenable” and that “branches here are calling together their central committees and starting to organise their pickets – everyone’s up for it.” Gary also said that his office is receiving calls from members asking about the recently launched Enough is Enough campaign, which the CWU is supporting and which is also being backed by the RMT rail union and several Labour MPs and activists. “It has cut through with people, linking it to the cost-of-living crisis,” he said.
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news/royal-mail-strike-mobilising-our-divisions-across-the-uk/
4.Swiss Post plans to acquire a majority shareholding in Axsana August 09, 2022
Working together with other parties, Swiss Post wants to pave the way towards a unified technical infrastructure for the electronic patient record. It therefore plans to take a 75 percent shareholding in Axsana, an operating company for the electronic patient record, presumably by end-September 2022, and has signed an appropriate agreement with Axsana and its owners. For Swiss Post, this move is an important step towards shaping the healthcare system of the future.
Swiss Post firmly believes in the value of the electronic patient record (EPR) as a cornerstone of digitized healthcare. Today, the company supports five electronic patient record providers, specifically core communities, in every linguistic region of Switzerland, as a technology partner. It develops and provides these communities with the necessary technical infrastructure, i.e. the underlying technology that these communities use to operate the electronic patient record, which they offer to residents. Swiss Post wants to continue to play a leading role as a technology partner for the electronic patient record in future. It is therefore planning to take a majority shareholding in the operating company Axsana, which offers the EPR under the brand name Xsana in the catchment area of the XAD core community across 14 cantons. The two owners of Axsana, Cantosana and the supporting association XAD, each own half of Axsana, while Swisscom develops and provides Axsana with the technical EPR infrastructure required. Expected to take effect on 30 September 2022, Swiss Post plans to acquire a 75 percent shareholding in Axsana. The company is currently in talks with Axsana, Cantosana and the supporting association XAD. “By taking a majority shareholding in Axsana, we want to advance the electronic patient record and give digitization in the healthcare sector a further boost,” says Nicole Burth, Member of Executive Management at Swiss Post and Head of the Communication Services unit. At the beginning of August 2022, Swiss Post, Cantosana, the supporting association XAD and Axsana signed the agreement needed for Swiss Post to acquire a majority stake in Axsana. Among other things, this agreement stipulates that, in future, Axsana will offer and operate the electronic patient record using Swiss Post’s technical infrastructure. “Swisscom will no longer be involved with the electronic patient record and will support the transition towards this new solution. Digital health is and will remain a strategic focal point for Swisscom. We are increasingly focusing on developing our solution portfolio for the outpatient sector, hospitals and health insurers, and on connecting these entities,” says Urs Lehner, Head of Business Customers and a Member of the Swisscom Group Executive Board.
Axsana to become a subsidiary of Swiss Post Once Swiss Post has acquired this majority shareholding, Axsana will become a subsidiary of Swiss Post, and will continue to operate as an independent company. The 15 employees at Axsana will continue to be employed at Axsana. Both parties have agreed not to disclose details of the ongoing talks and the planned acquisition. Swiss Post, Axsana, Cantosana and the supporting association XAD are confident that the acquisition agreed between Swiss Post and Axsana will be equally beneficial to the general public and service providers such as hospitals, medical practices, outpatient doctors, care-athome organizations and homes. For instance, accessing the electronic patient record will be even easier for the public, and additional applications will add value to the service.
More opening points are planned for the general public UNI Apro Post & Logistics 7 Individuals can already open an electronic patient record in the canton of Aargau or in Eastern Switzerland at selected Swiss Post branches. Additional such EPR opening points are planned for the coverage area of Axsana and the XAD core community in future. The goal of all parties involved with the electronic patient record is and will remain that the general public can verify their identity online and open an EPR quickly, simply and electronically in a single step. This requires a comprehensive digital opening process. Swiss Post is continuing to develop its EPR infrastructure to ensure that it will also be prepared for future use cases. These include e-medication, which allows users to keep track of their current medication, or being able to pair the EPR with mobile devices such as smartphones. Nicole Burth: “Today, medical practices aren’t the only places that provide healthcare – it is everywhere. The electronic patient record is essentially the key that will give the Swiss general public round-the-clock access to their medical data, wherever they are.”
Source : https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/media/press-releases/2022/swiss-post-plans-toacquire-a-majority-shareholding-in-axsana
5.PostNL reports normalised EBIT of €10 million for Q2 2022August 08, 2022
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, said: “The current macroeconomic and geopolitical environment is challenging and causes headwinds, especially for the logistics industry. This is causing prolonged uncertainty and limits visibility on the development of consumer behaviour.
“An unprecedented high level of inflation resulted in rising fuel and labour costs and impacted our performance. We stepped up our actions on tight cost control and are taking adaptive measures to mitigate the ongoing headwinds. Clearly, these higher costs cannot only be absorbed through improved efficiency and productivity gains, but will also need to result in price adjustments going forward. At the same time we are maintaining our efforts to align our operations with anticipated volumes, while holding on to the necessary flexibility and desired quality level for peak season within the limits of the current tight labour market. “Furthermore, inflation puts pressure on consumer spending, which has meanwhile rebalanced towards services since society reopened. This impacts parcel volumes and reduces predictability. Our market share remained stable. In this difficult environment, Mail in the Netherlands continues to deliver its solid performance. “Taking into account the uncertain economic outlook and limited visibility, we are revising our FY 2022 outlook for normalised EBIT. Adjusting capex to align with volume projections and applying strict working capital management should allow for a delivery of a strong free cash flow at the lower end of our initial outlook range. “Meanwhile, we are committed to executing our strategy by focusing on providing our customers with an excellent experience, and working with highly satisfied people in a compliant and sustainable way.”
Source : https://www.ipc.be/news-portal/general-news/2022/08/08/07/54/postnl-reports-normalised-ebit-of-10-million-for-q2-2022
POSTAL NEWS No 62-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.PostNL to offer permanent contracts to all its mail deliverers. August 05, 2022.
2.Postal union calls for increased federal mileage rates amid high fuel costs. August 05, 2022.
3.SingPost appoints new group CIO. August 04, 2022.
4.Swiss Post at the Scouts’ National Jamboree “mova”: supporting young people. August 03, 2022.
5.Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions relationship. August 02, 2022.
1.PostNL to offer permanent contracts to all its mail deliverers August 05, 2022
PostNL will offer permanent contracts to all its mail deliverers, both those already employed by PostNL and any new colleagues that will take on the role of postmen or women.
This move essentially means that over 1,000 mail deliverers on temporary contracts will see those rolled over into permanent agreements. Prior to this move, PostNL’s mail deliverers had only been offered permanent positions after seven months. In June 2022, PostNL reached an agreement with the trade unions about a pay rise of more than 8% for its 16,500 postmen and women. In some areas, new mail deliverers will be offered a bonus of up to €250 (US$255) if they come and join PostNL. Wages for new younger employees have also been raised and the work itself has been made more flexible. In various cities in the Netherlands, “posties may choose to deliver the mail in the evenings if that suits them better – by which PostNL hopes to attract students and pupils that might be interested in mail delivery as a side job”, the post said in a statement. Bob van Ierland, director of mail in the Netherlands, PostNL, said, “We’re taking this decision as a sign of appreciation and trust for all of our colleagues who are dedicated to delivering the mail, day in, day out, offering them more security. The prospect of a permanent contract will, we hope, encourage new deliverers to come and join us. We need them in today’s tight labor market!”
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/staffpersonnel/postnl-to-offer-permanent-contracts-to-all-its-mail-deliverers.html
2.Postal union calls for increased federal mileage rates amid high fuel costs August 05, 2022
Some rural and suburban delivery people use their own vehicles and get reimbursed for gas.
Rod Farrell travels roughly 100 kilometres a day to deliver the mail in Cape Breton, N.S., with stops along many paved and dirt roads. As a rural and suburban mail carrier for Canada Post, Farrell drives his own vehicle and pays out-of-pocket at the pump. With gasoline prices climbing to more than $2 a litre in recent weeks, Farrell said people like him are losing money. "The cost of gas can go up multiple times in one week alone," Farrell said. "It's costing me to deliver a lot of this stuff. I'm not being properly reimbursed for the time and effort and expenses.
Costs nearly double Farrell uses a hybrid vehicle for mail deliveries and typically spends about $35 per week on gas. Now, he's spending nearly double that price. There are roughly 9,000 rural and suburban mail carriers using their vehicles for Canada Post deliveries, according to Martin Prud'homme, president of Local 117 of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, based in Sydney, N.S. And Prud'homme said the federal mileage rates impact far more than just postal workers. Each year, the Canada Revenue Agency sets reasonable allowance rates for mileage. For 2022, the rates are 61 cents per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres and 55 cents per kilometre driven after that. Petition launched Prud'homme said the CRA last updated its pricing at the start of 2022. He said CUPW (Canadian Union of Postal Workers) is now encouraging people to sign a petition asking the federal government to adjust its mileage rates to "something that is more reasonable." Prud'homme said in other cities where Canada Post relies on corporate vehicles, a shipping surcharge is used to help cover rising fuel costs, but he said it doesn't extend to carriers like Farrell. "They don't receive any money on that. They do the same job, deliver the same kind of parcels, so why don't they receive any help for their gas?" 'Unprecedented territory' Canada Post did not respond to an interview request, but in an email statement, the federal Crown corporation said it has discussed fuel prices with the union and is reviewing elements of its collective agreement with them. It did not say whether an increase to rates is likely. "Fuel prices are in unprecedented territory and have impacted the entire industry. Canada Post is adapting to increased costs across many aspects of our operations," said Canada Post spokesperson Phil Legault. "We are aware of concerns raised regarding the increased cost of fuel and how this is impacting rural and suburban mail carriers."
Source : https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/postal-workers-call-for-mileageincrease-1.65427
3.SingPost appoints new group CIO August 04, 2022 Singapore Post has appointed Noel Singgih as its Group Chief Information Officer (CIO).
With more than 20 years of experience under his belt, Singgih joins SingPost Group’s management team from DHL Supply Chain, where he was last appointed as the unit’s Chief Information Officer for Asia Pacific. In his decade-long tenure with DHL, he held several key leadership roles, amassing a wealth of expertise in developing IT solutions for global customers. Vincent Phang, SingPost’s Group CEO, said: “We are incredibly excited to have Noel join us after an extensive search. Noel’s leadership and credentials are well regarded in the logistics and technology space, and we look forward to Noel elevating SingPost’s digital capabilities as we build the future of logistics.” Singgih added: “The diversity of SingPost’s businesses across the globe provides a great opportunity to leverage technology, creating synergy and fostering closer collaboration across its operations in the 15 markets it serves, all to drive business further. “This is an opportunity for us to transform and elevate the value we bring to our customers and their customers, connecting the world through every delivery that we do. I’m heartened to be part of this team to take the lead in SingPost’s digital transformation efforts and create progressive solutions for our customers’ logistics needs.”
Source : https://postandparcel.info/149381/news/singpost-appoints-new-group-cio/
4.Swiss Post at the Scouts’ National Jamboree “mova”: supporting young people August 03, 2022
Swiss Post is supporting the Scouts’ National Jamboree as a main partner – but that isn’t all it’s doing. Among the 30,000 scouts, there are a number of Swiss Post employees who will help create unforgettable memories, whether in their units, as “rovers” (helpers), at the Swiss Post stand, or in the special branch.
It’s seven o’clock in the morning. Scouts are already piling into Postbuses at the bus station. Today the scouts are going on a trip. The sound of giggling, singing and chitchat rings out. No one seems the least bit drowsy. And you soon realize that camp life begins at sunrise. Swiss Post’s special branch is still closed at this time. Yet preparations for the day are well underway here. It’s the first Tuesday after the start of the camp. “Lots of parents prepared their parcels over the weekend and took them to the post office yesterday, Monday. Today we are expecting peak numbers,” explains Marco Keller, another bona fide scout who is in charge of logistics. And it turns out he’s right: a later visit reveals that the trucks ended up taking over 2,100 parcels to the campsite that day. The Scouts’ National Jamboree, taking place from 23 July until 6 August, is a camp of superlatives in many respects: 30,000 campers spread out across an area of about six kilometres in diameter. A small town springs up out of nowhere for 14 days in the otherwise tranquil region of Goms, situated between Münster and Obergesteln.
Back on the “BuLavard”, the campsite’s central mile (or “boulevard”, if you will), the scouts meet Benno B-Post. From his decked out DXP (electric scooter), he calls out for children to join the “chain letter mission”. Unfortunately, Benno has clumsily lost the “mova” story. With the help of the kids, he wants to rewrite it. Even more important than the “mova” story, however, are the visual memories, and Benno is also available for selfies. His task – and Swiss Post’s task for that matter – is to bring people together, including at the Scouts’ National Jamboree. And what better way to do this than with a group photo? Swiss Post doesn’t just make this huge event possible through its sponsoring commitment as a main partner, it also helps create unforgettable memories with its stand that’s shaped like a pile of parcels. This space offers a photo wall, postcard studio, lounge and much more besides, inviting visitors to spend time together and explore new worlds. And seeing as the campsite is huge, “zero-emission Postbuses” are actually provided for the event. Although their carbon footprint is small, they require a large amount of muscle power: they are powered by your feet. It’s nearly midday. At the Peter & Paul Inwil scout camp, Fabienne Scherer, scout name “Wikki”, is preparing lunch. Fabienne works as an SAP consultant in the HR department at Swiss Post and has been involved in the scouting movement since she was little. What is it that she loves so much about the movement? “At the opening ceremony, there were about 30,000 of us, all sharing exactly the same passion. It’s simply infectious.” And she sees parallels to Swiss Post here as well. “The scouting movement is one of the biggest youth organizations in Switzerland. And Swiss Post is one of the biggest employers. Regardless how big an organization is, it ultimately comes down to each single individual for great things to happen,” Wikki explains, as the “Sonar” camp radio announces the day’s news in the background. The Ballwil scout camp is just round the corner. The Ballwil and Inwil scout organizations are based about five kilometres apart in the Lucerne Seeland region. At “mova”, they are just a few metres apart. “Search”, or Martin Kaufmann as he’s known in real life and at Swiss Post, does not actually take much searching to track down, contrary to what his name would have you believe. His hat sticks out just like the buildings of his camp unit: the observation tower is about five metres high. Martin, an ICT specialist in his second year of training and joint unit leader, comes across as very modest though. “This construction is not all that special. We actually built it during a previous camp. We gel really well as a team. Everyone knows what needs to be done,” he says, as if computing experts, truck drivers and commercial employees putting up a multi-storey wooden tower is no big deal at all. After all, you won’t find any woodworking specialists like carpenters in their leadership teams. Search is likewise no stranger to the scout organization: he joined as a Wolf (one of the younger sections of the scouts). What does he think the scouting movement has in common with Swiss Post? “Everyone is included in the scouting movement. We know we can only achieve big things as a team. The same is pretty much true at Swiss Post.” It’s now nearly evening. While Wikki is soon cooking again and Search is on the tower discussing the schedule for the coming day with his leadership team, there is still a lot of activity at the Swiss Post interactive stand. Lots of kids have come back from their days out and are now bustling around the BuLavard. It’s soon apparent that there is more that connects Swiss Post and the scout movement than just parcels and letters. Swiss Post brings people together – just like the Scouts. And in both organizations, this is only made possible with the immense passion of lots of helping hands.
Source: https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/news/2022/supporting-young-people
5. Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions relationship August 02, 2022 FedEx Embraces AI-Robotic Automation to Streamline Operations and Drive LongTerm Efficiencies, Signs Warrant Agreement with Berkshire Grey.
BEDFORD, Mass., and MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Berkshire Grey Inc. (Nasdaq: BGRY), a leader in AI-enabled robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes and FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), today announced they have expanded their strategic relationship.
As part of the expansion of this relationship, Berkshire Grey and FedEx have entered into an agreement for new development activities that will provide broader AI robotic automation capabilities to help improve the safety and efficiency of FedEx package handling operations globally. The two companies also expect to execute a master system purchase agreement in 2022, which will streamline and expedite the procurement process for Berkshire Grey solutions across all FedEx operating companies globally.
Additionally, Berkshire Grey has granted FedEx a warrant to purchase common stock which vests incrementally, subject to certain terms including the ordering of and payment for Berkshire Grey AI-enabled robotic automation goods and services at any time prior to December 31, 2025, with full vesting of all 25 million shares subject to the warrant upon the ordering of or payment for at least $200 million of such goods and services. Details on the terms of the warrant agreement are available in the Form 8-K filed today by Berkshire Grey. “Our growing relationship with Berkshire Grey for robotic automation is a direct response to the growth of e-commerce, which has accelerated the demand for reliable automated solutions throughout all stages of the supply chain,” said Rebecca Yeung, Corporate VP of Operations Science and Advanced Technology, FedEx. “FedEx believes that continued innovation and automation will improve efficiency, productivity and safety for its team members as they continue to keep the global supply chain moving.” As previously announced, FedEx Ground and Berkshire Grey are already working together to deploy Berkshire Grey’s Robotic Product Sortation and Identification (RPSi) systems to robotically sort small packages that arrive daily and require distribution. In addition to the recent installations at eight sortation facilities, including Queens, NY, Las Vegas, Nev., and Columbus, Ohio, FedEx Ground plans to have RPSi systems in place at select additional facilities in the network over the next 12 months. The new product development agreement is an expansion of this collaboration and offers new opportunities for the two companies to work together to further increase efficiencies across the FedEx enterprise using AI-enabled robotic automation. “Berkshire Grey and FedEx are strategically aligned. These new agreements reflect our mutual commitment to innovations in robotic automation that can remove barriers within the supply chain, ease the physical burden on employees and streamline operations,” said Tom Wagner, CEO of Berkshire Grey. “We look forward to working together on this new program and to advancing other automation programs with FedEx moving forward.”
Source : https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/08/02/2490219/0/en/BerkshireGrey-and-FedEx-Expand-Their-Robotic-Automation-Solutions-Relationship.html
UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 61-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.Bpost second quarter performance “exceeds initial guidance”. August 05, 2022.
2.DHL airfreight volumes drop but high rates help it achieve positive results. August 05, 2022.
3.Digital postal services, a bridge for small island economies. August 04, 2022.
4.NALC and USPS agree to convert CCAs to career status and directly hire career letter carriers in 43 more installations. August 04, 2022.
5.Britain is a side hustle nation. August 03, 2022.
1.Bpost second quarter performance “exceeds
initial guidance” August 05, 2022
which was down only 0.2% year-on-year. The adjusted EBIT of €82.6 million, however, was down 22.5% y-o-y. Parcels volumes decreased by 12.9% and there was an underlying mail volume decline of 7.5%, mitigated by positive mail price/mix impact. Commenting on the results, bpost’s CEO Dirk Tirez said: “I would like to thank all my colleagues for delivering this second quarter results. There is a strong momentum across the group and the immediate actions taken by the management to counter the ongoing macro-economic pressures have been paying off in this quarter. “Today, with one additional quarter behind us and with the results of these measures, we are now is a position to revise downwards the risk to our initial guidance from “up to 40 mEUR” to “up to 25 mEUR” despite continued market disruptions. Tirez continued: “While stronger headwinds from inflation, salary indexations, transport and energy costs, and consumer confidence persist globally and still bring uncertainty for the following quarters, we continue to take measures at all levels in order to phase and mitigate these adverse impacts whilst positioning our business for success in the mid-term.”
Source : https://postandparcel.info/149418/news/bpost-second-quarter-performance-exceeds-initial-guidance
2.DHL airfreight volumes drop but high rates help it achieve positive results August 05, 2022
Deutsche Post DHL Group saw a drop in airfreight volumes in the second quarter of 2022, but managed to achieve positive financial results thanks to high market rates and charter demand. Group airfreight revenue for the second quarter of 2022 was €2.8bn, up 40% on the second quarter of 2021, airfreight tonnages were down 7.7% over the same quarter in 2021 to 477,000 tonnes and airfreight gross profits were up 67.4% year on year to €544m. Revenues and gross profits were up on higher freighter rates while volumes were hit by pandemic-related restrictions and a shift back to ocean. DHL said: “We registered a 2.5% decline in airfreight volumes in the first half of 2022, primarily on trade routes to and from China due to the lockdown in Shanghai during the second quarter. At the same time, freight rates remained at a very high level, resulting in revenue from airfreight exceeding the prior-year figure by 47.3%. “[First half] gross profit improved by 68.6% due to the increasing demand for charter flights amongst other factors.” Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) for the Global Forwarding, Freight (GFF) division in the second quarter of 2022 more than doubled year on year to €746m compared to €312m in the second quarter of 2021. The division saw revenue increase 55.8% to €8.2bn over the second quarter of 2021 due to “sustained price and margin dynamics”, said DHL. “Global Forwarding, Freight achieved an exceptionally large jump in revenue and EBIT based on a dynamic price and margin development in the air and ocean freight business,” said DHL. However, the company pointed out that: “Airfreight volumes decreased moderately, in part due to modal shifts back towards ocean freight products, as customers recognised the again improved schedule reliability in ocean freight.” EBIT for the express division dropped slightly year on year at €1.1bn, compared to €1.2bn for the corresponding quarter in the previous year. The result was impacted by the temporary lockdowns in China, said DHL. For the e-commerce solutions division there was a decline in shipment volumes but price adjustments meant that EBIT was €109m, down slightly on the €116m achieved in the second quarter of 2021. Deutsche Post DHL Group said it achieved overall record EBIT of €2.3bn in the second quarter of 2022, compared to €2.1bn in the second quarter of 2021. The Group increased revenue by 23.4% year on year to €24bn. Frank Appel, chief executive of Deutsche Post DHL Group said: “Based on our strong international footprint coupled with the most modern infrastructure, we are able to offer reliable solutions in an increasingly complex environment across all sectors. We remain solid as a rock in uncertain times.” DSV and Kuehne and Nagal both reported positive results for the second quarter of 2022, despite challenging market conditions.
Source: https://www.aircargonews.net/freight-forwarder/dhl-airfreight-volumes-drop-but-highrates-help-it-achieve-positive-results/
3.Digital postal services, a bridge for small island economies August 04, 2022
Posts of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have the potential to support and facilitate vital digital transformations to benefit Posts, economies, and governments, according to global and regional experts who spoke on 26 July at the Universal Postal Union’s webinar “ICT for SIDS: Small posts at the forefront of digital transformation.”
Digitalization brings opportunities and challenges for SIDS, whose markets are limited and distant from the main global ones. Lack of funding and equipment, unstable Internet connection, and gaps in staff skillsets top the list of challenges that impede digital transformation. Still, the panelists see digitalization as vital for SIDS. “There are many opportunities, many challenges, and hopefully, collectively, as we work together, we can help those countries around the world,” said Rodney Taylor, Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU). “Everyone thought that the Internet was the death of postal services. It was quite the opposite.” The COVID-19 pandemic proved Posts’ ability to adapt their networks to their customers’ needs. “Posts have embraced technology to be able to continue to provide relevant services, government services, e-commerce services, e-payment services, that help the economies of SIDS continue to be relevant,” said Paul Donohoe, Digital Policies and Trade Coordinator at the UPU. The pandemic accelerated the transition to online services, which could help SIDS overcome some of their challenges related to size and distance, said Andrea Giacomelli, who is Aid-for-Trade and Trade Policy Advisor at the Permanent Delegation of the Pacific Islands Forum to the United Nations. “For some services, the ‘Tyranny of Distance’ can be completely eliminated by the application of ICT-enabled technology to commerce,” he added. Posts, however, are sometimes left out of governments’ development strategies that address digital policies, Donohoe said. Yet when Posts are included, both governments and postal operators perform better. “At the UPU, we're really reinforcing our efforts to strengthen the work that we put into Small Island
Belgium’s bpost says that its Q2 results were “supported by resilient mail revenues, growth at Radial North America and the implementation of management actions to mitigate unfavourable macro-economic environment”. The group reported an operating income of €1.035 billion,
Developing States and encouraging greater awareness among governments and regulators to integrate Posts in their national strategies,” Donohoe said. Posts can also be incubators of start-ups, providing innovators with access to networks that help them reach everyone in the country. “We've seen that in a number of countries around the world where some of the most exciting innovations now are coming out of Nairobi and out of cafes in Nigeria, not from the Silicon Valley,” he added. Getting to this point, though, requires clear communication about the benefits and data security of ICT, according to Sarai Tevita, ICT Director at the National University of Samoa. “If we don't change the mindset of our people (…) using the technologies available, then we can’t compete with the world,” Tevita said. And if Posts can’t compete, private providers will take over, agrees Franklin Sluis, CEO of the Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post, Regulatory Authority Curaçao. “It is not a matter of choice – if we do not take the needed steps towards digitalization today, (…) we will need to hang the ‘Out of Business’ sign forever,” Sluis concluded.
Source: https://www.upu.int/en/News/2022/8/Digital-postal-services,-a-bridge-for-small-island-economies#.YuvYk3Ex1-Q.twitter
4. NALC and USPS agree to convert CCAs to career status and directly hire career letter carriers in 43 more installations August 04, 2022.
In accordance with the May 24, 2022, Memorandum of Understanding Re: City Delivery Staffing Adjustment – Hiring Part-Time Flexible City Letter Carriers (M-01986), NALC and USPS have signed three memorandums of agreement which provide for an additional 43 installations in which the Postal Service will convert all city carrier assistants to part-time flexible (PTF) career status. Additionally, after these conversions are completed, the Postal Service will hire new PTF city letter carriers in these installations in order to reach and maintain an identified number of PTF city letter carriers on the rolls for each installation.
These agreements (M-01988 in NALC’s Materials Reference System) require the Postal Service to convert all city carrier assistants in the identified installations to part-time flexible career status as soon as practicable, but no later than the first day of the second full pay period following the date of the respective agreement. As previously reported, while these agreements are designed to improve staffing in the covered installations and add 43 additional locations to an all-career workforce model, they will not fix all the staffing issues across the country. NALC representatives will continue working with USPS representatives to address the widespread staffing issues that continue to negatively impact letter carriers and our ability to serve our customers.
Source : https://www.nalc.org/news/nalc-updates/nalc-and-usps-agree-to-convert-ccas-tocareer-status-and-directly-hire-career-letter-carriers-in-43-more-installations
5.Britain is a side hustle nation
Almost one in three Brits selling items online claims to have a side hustle, trading goods to the tune of £200 a month. A poll of 3,000 adults, commissioned by Royal Mail Parcel Collect, found that two thirds (67 per cent) love trading their second-hand wares and send or receive an average of seven parcels per month, while a quarter (27 per cent) claim selling online is their main source of income.
The love for small business is real, with 47 per cent saying they support side hustlers and independent businesses more than any other online retailer. Clothes, books and electronics are the most popular products shoppers and sellers are exchanging across the UK. Of those who sell, just under half feel a sense of achievement when they ship a parcel off to its new home. While 36 per cent of buyers claim it puts a spring in their step when their parcel arrives, with 32 per cent describing a parcel delivery as the ‘highlight’ of their day. Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer for Royal Mail Parcel Collect, which carried out the study to celebrate surpassing six million items being collected since its launch in 2020, says: “It’s wonderful to see the nation’s entrepreneurship blossom and grow. “We are delighted to play a pivotal role in making that possible, supporting the nation’s small businesses and side hustlers to distribute their precious cargo up and down the country, safely and reliably, from doorstep to doorstep. “We are proud to be an enabler of everyday people, looking to pursue their dreams amid the cost-of-living crisis. We aspire to make our services as convenient as possible so everyone canmanage their business from home, removing the need to trek heavy parcels to the local drop off point whenever they make a deserved sale.” The study also found eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy were the online marketplaces that respondents use most frequently, with one in five using Vinted.
Top reasons for using online platforms like these are saving money (42 per cent), enjoying the thrill of hunting down the perfect item (35 per cent), allowing someone else to enjoy something they no longer need (35 per cent) and giving items a new lease of life (31 per cent). Environmental factors also play a role, with a third using online marketplaces because it’s better for the environment, while 28 per cent want to set a good example to their kids about buying and selling pre-loved items, rather than buying new. Sales are going so well for some that 41 per cent of those polled have plans to develop their side hustle into their main source of income. The over 65s are most likely to have plans already in place (60 per cent), with Londoners leading on this charge (58 per cent) versus six per cent in East Anglia.
Royal Mail’s spokesperson Nick Landon adds: “As the UK’s leading parcel delivery provider, we know how important the nation’s parcels are. Getting them to their new homes, in good hands, is our top priority. Our Parcel Collect service is part of our ongoing commitment to create innovative and convenient ways to collect and deliver precious parcels from our customers doorsteps, every day. We are constantly transforming and evolving our services to offer customers the greatest ease, convenience and value for money – now and in the future. Over a quarter (29 per cent) of those polled already have their parcel collected from home by a delivery company (41 per cent for 18–24-year-olds) and 55 per cent are likely to consider using Parcel Collect*, showing the growth potential of Parcel Collect.” Holly Tucker MBE, long-term partner of Royal Mail and founder of notonthehighstreet and Holly & Co, says: “It’s impressive to see how entrepreneurial we are as a nation and how many of us are selling and sending parcels across the UK, from handmade wares through to second-hand goods. “With many of us juggling side-hustles and full-time jobs, it’s important to be efficient with our time when it comes to running our ‘shops’, tapping into the tools and services available to support us.
Holly Tucker has shared her five time-saving tips for sellers and side-hustlers: 1. Grab a notebook and scribble down everything that springs to mind for your creative rituals, your ordering system, customer service and marketing. Then identify the lowhanging fruit (the things you can change now) and the slow burners (the things you need to work on to change them). Try and tick a few things off each week, from both lists. 2. Each day, pick the three key tasks you need to prioritise. These are the jobs that will move the dial so tackle them first. I like to dedicate the hour before anyone wakes up in my house to this special and highly important list. Dedicating yourself to moving the business forward is not only great for the business, but also brilliant for your mental health. 3. New technology is launching all the time, allowing you to automate your least favourite tasks and time-consuming processes – there’s a real beauty in streamlining your business. 4. Outsourcing can save you time and allow you to focus on driving your business forward in the areas you are most confident in. There’s no shame in reaching outside the business and asking for advice and help from others. The small business community is a vibrant and loving group, and if you don’t have the skills or knowledge, I can guarantee someone else will or will know exactly who to turn to. 5. Instead of trekking to a drop off point with arms full of parcels, have you considered having your post collected from your doorstep? Look for couriers who collect from home and wave goodbye to the effort and aggro of having to go out. Simply coordinate a collection time from your doorstep instead. Sounds good, right?
Stephanie Marshall, who runs vegan bakery business Treehouse Bakery, has been using the Royal Mail Parcel Collect service to deliver her baking kits for two years. She says: “I started Treehouse Bakery in lockdown, offering an eco-friendly baking experience without the waste. I spend a lot of time and energy looking for the most sustainable packaging and services out there. That’s why I chose Royal Mail as my courier, as they are already visiting every address in the UK. “When I’ve got my orders ready to go, I just book the collection online, select a time and hey presto, they are picked up by my local postie. I’ve posted my kits from my home in Stockport to customers as far south as St Ives and as far north as the Orkney Islands. I am always proud every time I talk to a customer and they tell me they love my product. That's the reason I keep doing what I do.”
Nicola Hutchinson, who runs Hutch Cassidy, a luxury stationery and homeware brand from her home in North Yorkshire, says: “Starting my own business has given me a treasured creative outlet – I love to create magic every day with my illustrations and spread that joy to my lovely customers and stockists across the UK. All my creations start as pencil on paper in my studio, and it’s thrilling to think the final items end up in the safe hands of people all over the country, from London to York.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail/britain-isa-side-hustle-nation/