World Postal News.
UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 89-2021
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.How this Australia Post Road rule could cost drivers $116. November 12, 2021.
2.Posti uses AI to improve parcel routing efficiency. November 11, 2021.
3.Securing your hard-won Australia Post pay rises in our rebounding economy. November 10, 2021.
4.DHL Express says "Servus Austria!" - Inauguration flight of new cargo airline DHL Air Austria. November 09, 2021.
5.PostNL reports normalised EBIT of €23 million for Q3 2021. November 08, 2021.
1.How this Australia Post road rule could cost drivers $116 November 12, 2021
There are plenty of road rules surrounding stopping near items of public interest whether it be fire hydrants, bus stops or even post boxes. The rules around post boxes, in particular, spark a lot of debate as many people stop momentarily to drop off mail, but sometimes find themselves unable to do so if someone else has parked there illegally. It’s why there have been special road rules implemented around post boxes to punish anyone who illegally parks near one for some time. So how do the rules work?
Post boxes become keep clear zones
If anyone wants to park near a post box they ought to check that they aren’t stopped too close to one as road rules are designed to ensure the immediate area surrounding them is kept clear at all times. This is highlighted by Rule 199 of the Australian Road Rules which states that drivers aren’t allowed to stop within three metres of a post box that sits on the side of the road.
Drivers are allowed to pull over next to a post box to drop off a letter or a parcel as are vans that are collecting the mail, but these are the only exceptions given to motorists stopping outside of one. With these being such a common feature on Australian streets, it is a rule that authorities across Australia have adopted into their local road rule legislations.
Drivers copping triple-figure fines Like many other parking offences, police will issue fines to anyone caught parked illegally outside a post-box and breaking the subsequent road rule. Some states have direct offences for breaking this road rule with set amounts if caught by local police and these amounts range into triple figures. These penalties include:
NSW: Drivers in New South Wales face a fine of $116 from NSW Police should they be found parked within three metres of a post box without dropping off any mail.
VIC: Victoria Police will not hesitate to give motorists a fine of $109 if they catch anyone illegally parked next to a post box.
WA: Drivers in Western Australia face a fine equating to one penalty unit – around $50 – if they are caught illegally stopped next to a post box. NT: In the Northern Territory, parking illegally near a post box is considered a general offence and could see offenders given a fine of one penalty unit equating to $157: In South Australia, drivers could face a combined fine of $196 if SA Police catch them stopped next to a post box for a prolonged period.
TAS: Tasmanian authorities won’t hesitate to dish out a fine of $87 if they catch any drivers illegally parking within three metres of a roadside post box.
ACT: Drivers in the ACT could get hit with a penalty of $125 if they are caught parking illegally next to any post box on the streets of Canberra. Unlike their neighbours, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory use a penalty unit system to determine the amount someone could be fined. Some of these penalties – which change annually – includes:
QLD: Authorities in Queensland can issue drivers with 0.75 of a penalty unit if found parked illegally near a post box which is currently worth around $103.
WA: Drivers in Western Australia face a fine equating to one penalty unit – around $50 – if they are caught illegally stopped next to a post box.
NT: In the Northern Territory, parking illegally near a post box is considered a general offence and could see offenders given a fine of one penalty unit equating to $157.
Regardless of where you may be, parking illegally near a post box is a major inconvenience for anyone needing to drop off a letter and it’s not hard to see why states have implemented road rules to ensure drivers don’t block access to a key feature of Australian communities.
Source : How this Australia Post road rule could cost drivers $116 (yahoo.com)
2.Posti uses AI to improve parcel routing efficiency November 11, 2021.
Finnish postal operator Posti is to begin using a dynamic, AI-driven parcel routing system that can anticipate parcel lockers’ available capacity with an accuracy of 96%.
Some parcels aren’t picked up by customers in time – this leads to hundreds of parcel lockers becoming completely full every day and posts having to leave parcels in empty lockers that may be further from their intended customers. This may also result in customers having to wait longer or drive further before they can receive their parcel. Such situations occur because the filling rate forecast for parcel lockers used to be based on a fixed average that did not take into account variation according to the parcel locker, day or season. The filling of parcel lockers is also limited by both the number and size of individual lockers. While small parcels can be put in lockers of various sizes, larger parcels will only fit into some of the lockers, meaning this size consideration needs to be factored in. Posti’s dynamic parcel routing system will predict how many of the parcels in the parcel locker will be picked up within 24 hours, before the driver brings the next load of parcels. With this information, delivery drivers can reserve the correct number of items for the nextday and reduce the amount of driving needed to deliver parcels. Therefore, the prediction tool uses more accurate capacity forecasts to make the delivery process faster and ensure recipients get their parcels as soon as possible. Currently, Posti is working on creating an advance message system to further improve delivery efficiency. Before the parcel arrives at Posti, the online store will send an advance message about it. The sending time of the message will vary by store. Artificial intelligence will be used to predict when the parcel will actually arrive in sorting. If the arrival time can be accurately predicted, advance bookings can be made for parcel lockers. In the future, artificial intelligence and machine learning will predict changes to the filling rate of Posti parcel lockers. With a prediction model capable of learning, parcels can be delivered without unnecessary driving and to a location near the consumer. Jari Paasikivi, the project manager responsible for the parcel routing system at Posti, said, “Popular parcel lockers cannot be expanded if they are located in a limited space, such as inside a store. With artificial intelligence and machine learning, we are able to get a more accurate forecast of parcel locker capacity, which helps us route parcels to the parcel lockers chosen by recipients more often. “In addition, more parcels can be made to fit into certain parcel lockers. The parcel can be delivered to a location as near to the customer as possible, which reduces unnecessary driving and the emissions from it. We already know with an accuracy of nearly 100% which of the parcel locker’s individual lockers will be emptied and are able to reserve the correct number of items for the next day.” Riku Tapper, who is responsible for Posti’s data and automation, said, “We have been building our ability to use data for a wide range of purposes with a long-term view. Having artificial intelligence as part of our parcel locker network is an excellent example of how data and technology can be used to improve the customer experience. We have particularly invested in our machine learning competence, and the artificial intelligence that routes parcels has been developed fully by our own staff.”
3.Securing your hard-won Australia Post pay rises in our rebounding economy November 10, 2021.
As you may have seen in the news, our economy is beginning to bounce back. As unexpected as every aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been for the impacts on our way of life and the way that we work, the nation’s economic outlook throughout this period has become equally unpredictable.
Across many parts of the country, the rebound has taken markets and economists by surprise. As our cities emerge from various states of lockdowns, the housing market continues to perform strongly, rents are increasing and employers are on a hiring spree. These and other economic factors have seen the path for core inflation lifted to 2.25% for the end of this year, up from earlier predictions of 1.75%, and Head Economist at ANZ, David Plank, predicts inflation to rise to 2.5% no later than the first quarter of 2023. This outcome and further predictions are still less than the 3% per annum wage increases provided for in EBA10 and 3% is the rate that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintains that wages across the country need to grow by to keep inflation in the target band. Despite EBA10 wage rises meeting this threshold, the RBA doesn’t expect to see the rest of industry catch up to those wage levels until 2023 – putting our members, deservedly, ahead of the game. Although the chances of inflation exceeding the already market-leading pay rises secured under EBA10 are slim, as economists continue to talk up the economy, your Union has moved quickly to engage with Australia Post to seek safeguards to members’ wages against any freak upward trends that may see the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the cost of living, exceed the rate of EBA10 pay rises. And we are incredibly excited to report that today we have reached agreement with Australia Post that will do just that. We have secured certainty to the pay rises provided to members under EBA10 which will ensure that wages paid under the EBA will not be increased at a rate less than CPI.
Put simply, if by the slimmest of chances, CPI rises above 3% during the life of EBA10, our members’ wages will not be increased by just 3%, but will at least match the rate of CPI for the preceding 12-month period. This important outcome guarantees that members will not be left behind being unable to keep up with the cost of living, as our economy continues to rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is an incredible outcome to be reached outside the bargaining period and one which would certainly not have been secured without the strong density of our Union’s membership across Australia Post. It is important that we continue to grow in strength at Australia Post, to continue delivering the best possible outcomes for our members and their families.
Source : http://www.cepu.org/2021/11/securing-your-hard-won-pay-rises-in-our-rebounding-economy
4.DHL Express says "Servus Austria!" - Inauguration flight of new cargo airline DHL Air Austria November 09, 2021.
The new cargo airline DHL Air Austria will handle European cargo flights in future with eighteen Boeing 757 aircraft and around 176 pilots.
Vienna,Schwechat - DHL Express celebrated the launch of its newly established cargo airline DHL Air Austria yesterday, which is now headquartered at Vienna Airport. The inauguration flight of the first registered Boeing 757 under Austrian flag also took place in the presence of key partners from the responsible aviation authorities such as the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology and Austro Control. The founding of DHL Air Austria is an important milestone for DHL Express in Austria, which began 41 years ago: "With this important step, we are making our air freight network in Europe more flexible and stable, while at the same time continuing to meet our customers' high demand for cross-border express deliveries and providing them with sufficient capacity," says Ralf Schweighöfer, CEO of DHL Express Austria. In an increasingly globalized world, the importance of exports and imports is growing rapidly, and this trend will continue even after the COVID19 pandemic. The global networking of domestic companies is progressively becoming a decisive competitive factor. By ensuring a resilient and flexible air transport network, DHL Express is thus making an important contribution to the economic recovery of the European economy after the COVID19 pandemic. "The new airline DHL Air Austria is an important boost for our aviation industry and the domestic economy. The location decision for Austria is a strong signal for our country. The new headquarter at Vienna International Airport will also create an important value for the region," emphasized Dr. Magnus Brunner, State Secretary for Aviation.
Sustainable headquarter at Vienna Airport - 54 new employees will manage European cargo air traffic in the future The new cargo airline DHL Air Austria will handle European cargo flights in future with eighteen Boeing 757 aircraft and around 176 pilots. The employees at the Vienna International Airport will manage the airline's daily operations, from crew scheduling and flight planning to crew training. They are also responsible for safety, quality, compliance and the planning of aircraft maintenance. In addition, DHL Air Austria is creating around 54 new and sustainable jobs in Office Park 4 at Vienna Airport, one of the most modern and sustainable office buildings in Vienna. "The establishment of DHL Express' first Austrian airline and the receipt of all licenses is a historic moment for all of us. The efficient implementation of this important milestone would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our team and, above all, without the great support of the responsible ministry as well as Austro Control", says Barbara Achleitner, Managing Director of DHL Air Austria. "It makes us particularly proud that we have managed such enormous achievements together as a team within nine months and that we are creating 54 new jobs at our headquarters at Vienna International Airport.”
Austria confirmed as top international location - approval process completed in record time.
After examining several options in various European countries, Austria was chosen as the optimal location for the new cargo airline. In addition to stable political and economic conditions and the excellent global reputation of the domestic aviation authorities, the location also offers the best geographical conditions in the heart of Europe. This is also confirmed by Dr Valerie Hackl, Managing Director of Austro Control: "I am particularly pleased that with DHL Air Austria we can welcome another airline to the Austrian aircraft register. I would like to thank DHL Express for the good and professional cooperation, which has made it possible to complete this process so quickly and efficiently. It is also a sign of the high quality of our aviation authorities and a consequence of the high quality of service we offer our customers every day that more and more renowned airlines are finding their way to Austria. We have earned this excellent international reputation in recent years, and we intend to continue along this path in the future as a modern and service-oriented aviation authority." After initial talks with the Austrian authorities in February of this year, the AOC (Air Operator Certificate) required to operate the airline and consequently the OL (Operating License) were issued on 18 October 2021. DHL Air Austria was thus able to prove to the relevant authorities that it had completed all the necessary procedures for operating thenew cargo airline in a record time of only nine months. Currently, three of the total of eighteen Boeings are already registered in Austria. The transfer of another fifteen Boeing 757 aircraft to DHL Air Austria is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022. By then, the DHL Air Austria team will have moved into the modern Office Park 4 and will be managing operations from there.
Source : https://www.dpdhl.com/en/media-relations/press-releases/2021/dhl-expressinauguration-flight-of-new-cargo-airline-dhl-air-austria.html
5.PostNL reports normalised EBIT of €23 million for Q3 2021 November 08, 2021
Highlights Q3 2021: Performance impacted by adjusted VAT regulation and Covid19 • Volume growth of 1.6% at Parcels compared with Q3 2020; 6.4% when excluding the assumed non-recurring impact related to Covid-19 and around 19% growth compared with pre-Covid-19 Q3 2019 • Volume growth of 0.5% at Mail in the Netherlands, supported by non-recurring items related to Covid-19 and an improvement in the underlying substitution rate • Stronger than expected, partly temporary, impact from change in VAT regulation for small non-EU goods and other regulation in China, visible both at Parcels and Mail in the Netherlands (total impact on normalised EBIT: €(8) million) • Strong cash flow performance continues.
Outlook for FY 2021 confirmed
• Normalised EBIT between €280 million and €310 million (including assumed nonrecurring impact of around €75 million), with free cash flow between €250 million and €280 million
CEO statement
Herna Verhagen, CEO of PostNL, said: “In the third quarter of the year, the changes in VAT for small goods outside the EU and other regulation in China had a stronger temporary negative impact on international volumes than anticipated, and put pressure on the performance of both Parcels and Mail in the Netherlands. “After operating in an environment dominated by the pandemic since early 2020, in the third quarter we seemed to be returning to more normal conditions. Volume at Parcels continued to grow. As expected, this growth was slower due to the reopening of nonessential stores and more people going on holiday, as well as some headwind from disruptions in global supply chains. Volume development at Mail in the Netherlands was positive, reflecting both Covid-19 and some improvement in the underlying substitution rate. We saw declining international volumes in both segments. “We’re rebalancing our parcels’ network and, as usual during Q3, have started preparations for the end-of-year peak season. We have deliberately built up extra capacity and resources so as to be able to offer our customers the necessary sorting and delivery capacity and high quality service. In a quarter that includes the summer holiday, this had an impact on margins. This is expected to reverse in Q4, when parcel volumes are expected to come in at significantly higher levels. “We are continuing to deliver on our strategy, including our commitment to sustainability and digital transformation. Early October, PostNL opened its fully automated, robotic sorting centre for small parcels. This innovative sorting centre, equipped with diverse robots, is unique in Europe and creates more capacity in our regular parcel sorting centres. “Building on our solid performance in 2021 so far, we confirm our outlook for FY 2021 of normalised EBIT between €280 million and €310 million and strong free cash flow between €250 million and €280 million. The trend in e-commerce growth is expected to continue, with some uncertainty related to Covid-19 and the changes in VAT regulation.”
UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 90-2021
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1. APWU’s statement on the USPS 2021 financial report. November 12, 2021.
2. UPS to deliver to MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers in Austria. November 11, 2021.
3. Omniva expands its Estonian parcel machine network. November 10, 2021.
4. bpost appoints a CEO for its Belgian activities and reinforces its Group Executive Committee with a Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. November 09, 2021.
5. Royal Mail to cut the cost of its redirection service for millions of lower-income households. November 08, 2021.
1.APWU’s statement on the USPS 2021 financial report November 12, 2021
The Postal Service reported out its Fiscal Year 2021 financial and operational results at the public meeting of the Board of Governors on November 10, 2021. Despite an increase of revenue of $3.9 billion, the Postal Service posted a net loss of $4.9 billion for 2021. While the losses continue to create headlines, two things have been made abundantly clear from the latest results. First is that the public continues to rely on the universal network of the Postal Service to meet their needs to conduct business, send correspondence, vote and shop. The pandemic has underscored the vital role of postal workers in our communities and we continue to step up for the public. Second is the urgent need for Congress and the Biden Administration to address longstanding issues effecting the Postal Service’s balance sheet. Passing the bi-partisan supported Postal Service Reform Act (as currently written), combined with Administrative action correcting faulty pension accounting, would eliminate nearly all of the Postal Service’s losses. Together, these would alleviate the tremendous pressure placed on service, on postal workers and on the public and move the Postal Service closer to financial health.
Postal workers continue to take great pride in the essential service we provide to the public each and every day. We’ve done our part to secure the Postal Service’s central role in the life of the country. Now, lawmakers and the Administration must act to ensure the longterm viability of our great national treasure.
Source : https://www.postaltimes.com/postalnews/apwus-statement-on-the-usps-2021-financial-report
2.UPS to deliver to MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers in Austria November 11, 2021
UPS is to start delivering parcels to carrier-neutral
MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers in Austria. MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers are also used by DPD Austria and DHL Express, with more in the pipeline.
Under the new deal, customers can have UPS parcels delivered to one of more than 160 MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers across Austria. Lockers are accessible around the clock - also on weekends and public holidays.
The parcel lockers will also be able to accept e-commerce returns using a UPS returns label.
To use the parcel lockers for delivery via UPS, customers must register with UPS My Choice. They can then define a MYFLEXBOX as their delivery location. All UPS packages are then delivered to this MYFLEXBOX. Customers can also use UPS My Choice to divert individual UPS shipments to the MYFLEXBOX when they are not at home, avoiding a failed first-time delivery. When shopping online with a retailer that works with UPS, all MYFLEXBOX parcel lockers will appear as delivery options. By the end of next year, MYFLEXBOX plans to have around 400 parcels lockers throughout Austria, with a target of up to 1,000 locations by the end of 2025.
Source : http://www.thepostalhub.com/blog/ups-myflexbox-parcel-lockers-austria
3.Omniva expands its Estonian parcel machine network November 10, 2021
Omniva will start a large-scale expansion in the entire Baltic region in December, as a result of which the largest parcel machine network in the region will grow by 20%.
Across the Baltics, 141 new parcel machines will be added to the network and 86 existing popular parcel machines will be expanded. According to Kristi Unt, the head of Omniva Estonia, the expansion of the Estonian parcel machine network will focus on finding efficiency and hotspots for parcel traffic. “Over the years, we have built the largest parcel machine network in Estonia and the Baltics with well-thought-out locations,” Unt noted. “With the expansion starting in December, we will further expand the network.” “Thanks to the expansion, we will reach several settlements where people have not been able to use parcel machines so far. On the one hand, our parcel machines that are located outdoors allow customers to receive their parcels more conveniently and securely. On the other hand, we see that parcel machines help launch local e-commerce in smaller settlements,” said Unt.
According to Unt, the expansion starting in December is just one step in the coming developments that aim to bring parcel services even closer to people. “In addition to the expansion, we will also introduce several new solutions to the market in the coming months, which will make sending and receiving parcels more accessible and convenient for people, but at the same time make delivery more efficient and environmentally friendly,” Unt added.
added. Source : https://postandparcel.info/144730/news/e-commerce/omniva-expands-itsestonian-parcel-machine-network
4.bpost appoints a CEO for its Belgian activities and reinforces its Group Executive Committee with a Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer November 09, 2021
bpost appoints a CEO for its Belgian activities and reinforces its Group Executive Committee with a Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer.
The Board of Directors of bpost group has decided today on the appointment of Jean Muls as CEO bpost Belgium and the expansion of the Group Executive Committee (GEC) with Nicolas Baise as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. At the presentation of the third quarter results, CEO Dirk Tirez announced that the Belgian activities of bpost will be integrated into one business unit, namely bpost Belgium. He immediately announced the name of the CEO of this new entity, Jean Muls. He also added that a new position has been created within the GEC, that of Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. A name for this position was also announced, being Nicolas Baise. Both men will play an important role in the transformation of bpost as a reliable and leading postal and e-commerce logistics group in Belgium and beyond.
Jean Muls appointed CEO bpost Belgium
Jean Muls has more than 30 years of experience in the business world. Since 2015 he was active as Vice President Air Hubs Europe at Federal Express Europe. Prior to that he led Swissport, AIB Vinçotte and Imtech Belgium and was also a member of the Board of Directors at the latter companies. He also held management positions at General Electric and Bombardier Inc. He started his career at IMDC, a subsidiary of GDF Suez, where he gained 6 years of international experience in the marine and dredging business. Jean holds a degree in Civil Engineering from ULB and an MBA from INSEAD. He will lead the new business unit and manage its transformation.
Nicolas Baise appointed Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer
Nicolas Baise studied as a commercial engineer and immediately joined Boston Consulting Group where he followed a rapid career trajectory. In 2016, he was appointed Managing Director and Partner. At Boston Consulting Group, Nicolas developed a deep expertise in transport and logistics and large-scale transformation, combined with strong commitment for people development and social engagement. Since 2019, he is People Chair of BCG Brussels, responsible for the career development of 100+ consultants and defining New Ways of Working in post-COVID context. Nicolas is part of the inaugural group of Belgium's 40 under 40, a diverse community of civil society leaders under 40 who reflect together on the challenges of our society. Between 2012-2018, he was a founding panel member of the Friday Group, supported by the King Baudouin Foundation. He will continue to shape the strategy and drive the transformation and digitalisation of the company to achieve bpost's ambitions.
Source : https://press.bpost.be/bpost-appoints-a-ceo-for-its-belgian-activities-andreinforces-its-group-executive-committee-with-a-chief-strategy--transformation-officer
5.Royal Mail to cut the cost of its redirection service for millions of lower-income households November 08, 2021
Customers on universal credit to receive significant discounts on redirection prices when they move home.
Lower-income households on Universal Credit are set to receive significant discounts on Royal Mail’s Redirection service when they move home, the company announced today.
From November 29, all customers on Universal Credit, which covers six means tested benefits, will pay the equivalent of just £5 a month for a six or twelve-month redirection – equivalent to less than 20p a day. Universal Credit customers who choose to take up the minimum three-month service will also benefit from improved discounts with a single customer paying a price of £22.50 (equivalent to £7.50 a month) and all other household sizes paying £30 (or £10 a month). The new concessionary price will be available for customers receiving any of the six means tested benefits that make up Universal Credit. These include: Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), incomerelated Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Working Tax Credit. For customers of non-working age, Royal Mail is also offering the new concession to those in receipt of Pension Credit. The initiative builds on Royal Mail’s drive to give lower-income households more access to its Redirection service. Customers on income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit already receive a discount on the standard price of a Redirection. From November 29, these customers will see their discount increase and brought in line with the new concession prices. To further improve access to its Redirection service, Royal Mail is also launching a new dedicated phone line for customers receiving Universal Credit and Pension Credit when they apply for the new discounted redirection rates.
Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail, said: “Moving home can be a difficult and stressful process. UK households rely on Royal Mail’s Redirection service for convenience and peace of mind. It helps to ensure they don’t miss important mail such as medical appointments and financial documents or fall foul of identity fraud. We want to make our Redirection service more accessible to lower-income customers. This will mean that everyone from single adults to larger households on Universal Credit can make significant savings on standard prices when they move home.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail/royalmail-to-cut-the-cost-of-its-redirection-service-for-millions-of-lower-income-households