POSTAL NEWS
No 11-2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
8 Thousand Joint Personnel Secure PT Pos Indonesia Employee Demonstration. February 6, 2019.
Small Parcels Arriving Faster as UPS Gets Smarter. February 5, 2019.
Postal Service Wrapping Up Testing of New Mail Truck Prototypes. February 4, 2019.
Posti invites companies to submit bids on mail delivery. February 4, 2019.
Australia Post boosts its electric fleet by 1,000. February 1, 2019.
8 Thousand Joint Personnel Secure PT Pos Indonesia Employee Demonstration
February 6, 2019
Jakarta - Employees of PT Pos Indonesia who are members of the Pos Indonesia Strong - Dignity Workers Union (SPPIKB) will hold a demonstration this morning. A total of 8,000 joint personnel consisting of Regional Military, National Police, and regional governments were mobilized to secure the course of action.
"A total of 8,018 joint personnel of the National Police, the Regional Military and Regional Government," said the Head of the Metro Jaya Police Public Relations Commissioner Argo Yuwono to detikcom when asked for confirmation on Wednesday (02/06/2019).
Argo said many personnel because the mass field coordinator reported the number of participants demonstrating 12 thousand people. "In a notification letter of 12 thousand (people)," Argo said.
But before, the Communication Media Coordinator of SPPIKB Fadhol Wahab, when contacted by detikcom, said the mass was only around 1,000 people. They consist of employees of PT Pos Indonesia in the Jabodetabek (Great Jakarta Area), Java, and Sumatra regions.
The demonstration began at the gathering point of the PT Pos Indonesia office (General Post Office), Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, at around 09.00 a.m. The crowd will move to the office of the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, then in front of the State Palace.
Wahab said the demonstration was aimed at saving PT Pos Indonesia from bad management of the company. It was said to be bad because according to Wahab there was a lot of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in the government-owned company.
"Related to the company's rescue because what happened in that we saw there were many indications of KKN. In our opinion, it was not GCG (good corporate governance). As a result of that GCG, this company became financially deteriorated," Wahab told detikcom.
Source : https://news.detik.com
Small Parcels Arriving Faster as UPS Gets Smarter
February 5, 2019
UPS seems to have broken their fourth quarter curse in which delays and slip ups seemed to be more the highlights versus any revenue achievements. Overall quarterly revenue was good, increasing just below 5% while adjusted net income increased almost 17%. Average revenue yield expanded 4.1% with gains in all products and record shipments were achieved.
Higher base rates and fees including peak surcharges as well as the initial tariff 25% increase deadline of December 31 benefited UPS during the quarter. A higher number of B2B shippers were noted for the quarter as many were possibly stockpiling ahead of the December 31 deadline and perhaps ahead of the February 5 Chinese New Year holiday.
As a result of higher shipping costs and trade concerns, shippers not only paid more to ship goods to customers, but they also shipped more items. Average daily domestic volumes for fourth quarter increased 3.0% year-over-year to over 21 million packages.
Whereas in years past, UPS might have buckled under the weight of such volume, instead the company was able to maintain promised delivery times the majority of the time during the holiday season.
“Exceptional on-time service during the peak holiday season” was noted in their press release and indeed, they achieved it thanks to technology investments and upgraded and new facilities around the world.
Officially launched during the fourth quarter, UPSNav is integrated into ORION and combines UPS delivery data, including such information as the location of loading docks and package receiving areas, with ORION maps to find the most cost-effective route between stops. UPS’ On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation (ORION) system optimizes routes, a cost savings tool as well as a time saving one. The company plans to provide UPSNav to 40,000 additional drivers in areas where route density is greatest to increase final mile efficiency.
Another technology solution UPS has embraced is their suite of Network Planning Tools (NPT). As part of the NPT chest, the Peak Volume Alignment Tool proved extremely useful during the holiday season. It allowed UPS to match incoming volume flows and available network capacity for increased capacity utilization and operating efficiency. By using advanced analytics, UPS was able to provide the right amount of service levels to match the volumes, an issue that the company struggled with in previous holiday seasons.
In addition to technology tools, new and existing facilities are benefiting via automation upgrades. In 2018, UPS invested in twenty-two new and updated automated facilities worldwide, including five new superhubs. According to UPS, These facilities are 25% to 35% more efficient. Scott Childress, Investor Relations Officer noted for 2018, almost 70% of ground eligible volume went through these automated facilities. In 2019 it is expected to increase to 80% when an additional eighteen automated hubs are expected to open. This is compared to 2017 when only 50% of ground eligible volume traveled through automated facilities.
Cost savings and efficiency gains are usually emphasized when UPS introduces new technology-enabled solutions or a newly automated facility. But for the shipper, it typically means higher shipping costs. UPS, however, describes its increasingly higher rates and fees as the cost to provide value to the customer whether the customer is a business or consumer.
Perhaps UPS has a point, the value lies in faster delivery times. With Amazon building its own ground delivery network, UPS and FedEx are in danger of losing valuable ground market share to the e-commerce behemoth. While they succeeded in driving DHL out of the U.S. ground delivery business in 2008, Amazon is a completely different competitor and has changed the game beginning with its Prime membership promising free 2-day delivery. Now, 2-day delivery has become a standard, thanks to Amazon and UPS and FedEx are in a race for speed.
Costly investments in facilities and technology are a necessity. But, for UPS, the added pressure of a unionized ground delivery labor force on top of its investments makes it that more costly and difficult for the company to compete effectively and so the rationalization of providing value (i.e. higher shipping rates and fees) to the customer is needed. But, that rationalization will likely fade over time as the game continues to evolve.
Source : https://logisticstrendsandinsights.com
Postal Service Wrapping Up Testing of New Mail Truck Prototypes
February 04, 2019
The U.S. Postal Service said it expects to wrap up mail truck prototype testing for its Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program in the coming months and then will seek bids for an estimated $6.3 billion contract to produce the new mail truck.
“Most likely early 2019,” said Kim Frum, a spokesperson for the federal agency, recently.
The Postal Service is testing 50 prototypes from five companies as it looks to replace its aging fleet of Grumman Long Life Vehicles, or LLVs. The old mail trucks lack modern safety features, have poor fuel economy and have been plagued by fires and increasingly expensive repairs. At least six burned up last month.
They were also built to handle mostly letters, not packages, which make up more of today’s mail volume.
A mix of powertrains
The prototypes include a mix of alternative fuel and hybrid technologies, including all-electric options.
Awarding a manufacturing contract for the 180,000 new mail trucks it wants would be the next step, if the agency follows its original plan. The contract is worth up to $6.3 billion over five years.
Prototype testing, which began 15 months ago, has been a mix of real-world road work and in-lab durability trials. It was expected to take six months, according to the original timeline the Postal Service published for the program.
Once testing is complete, the agency will determine when to release a request for proposal, or RFP, to actually manufacture the vehicles, Frum said.
Despite the delays and the agency’s target price of $25,000 to $35,000 per mail truck, the companies that survive the prototype stage are likely to bid on the production phase, according to one industry expert.
‘Huge showcase’
“This is a huge showcase for whoever gets it,” said Antti Lindstrom, the truck analyst at IHS Markit.
And the Postal Service may pick more than one team’s design, he said, so it has vehicles suited to the different weather and terrain conditions its daily-delivery drivers face.
There are still plenty of potential bumps before the new mail trucks hit the road, Lindstrom said. The Postal Service’s request for prototype proposals was issued in 2015, with designs approved in 2016. Since then, technology has changed rapidly, particularly for alternative fuel and electric powertrain options.
Political headwinds are also likely, he said. The “America first” mantra of the current administration may make it hard for the agency to choose a foreign automaker for the contract, even if the vehicles would be produced here.
And it’s no secret President Donald Trump already is unhappy with Postal Service finances and how the agency does business with commercial package shippers like Amazon.
Will agency proceed?
Then there’s the cost. It’s not clear the agency’s price range for the new mail trucks is still realistic. And it’s not clear if the Postal Service, which is in the red due in part to having to prepay employee pensions, will immediately go ahead with the multibillion-dollar, multiyear purchase.
In a November financial report, the agency did not appear to include money to pay for the production of new mail trucks in fiscal 2019, which ends Sept. 30. It projected capital spending commitments of $100 million for vehicles. That is less than the $400 million it listed for the prior year. But the agency did note in its report that the figure for this year could increase sharply if certain projects are approved by its Board of Governors.
“The FY 2019 Commitment Plan may have up to $4.5 billion in additional capital added based on additional individual project BOG approvals,” the agency said in its report. The board is scheduled to meet Friday, Feb. 8.
The five companies competing to win the prototype design phase are:
AM General LLC: a mail truck with an internal combustion engine with stop-start technology for improved fuel efficiency.
AM General is a defense and automotive company based in South Bend, Ind., known for its Humvee military trucks. Its prototypes will “seek to provide fuel efficiency and zero emission capability,” according to a September 2016 company press release.
AM General has not said it is working with a partner on the contract. But a previously unknown participant, London EV Co. USA, which has said it teamed with AM General on an electric option, has said it will withdraw after the testing phase. LEVC USA was previously known as Emerald Automotive, which was one of the 15 companies preapproved by the Postal Service to bid on the prototype contracts. AM General has not responded to requests for comment.
Karsan Otomotiv/Morgan Olson: A fully electric mail truck.
Karsan, based in Turkey, specializes in contract-based production of light and heavy commercial vehicles. It has teamed with longtime postal service supplier Morgan Olson LLC of Sturgin, Mich., on mail truck prototypes.
Two years ago the companies announced a broad alliance. Morgan Olson, known for its aluminum commercial van bodies and step-vans, will provide assembly, production, sales and after-sales service for Karsan vehicles designed for the North American market. The deal could allow Karsan to produce Buy America-compliant vehicles.
Morgan Olson has a long history with the Postal Service. It was part of Grumman when that company won the Postal Service contract to build today’s boxy mail trucks. It built the bodies and did the final assembly with General Motors chassis and engines. Morgan Olson also won a large contract in 2015 to supply the Postal Service with walk-in-body delivery trucks.
Oshkosh Corp./Ford Motor Co.: A modified Ford Transit Cargo van.
Oshkosh, a defense contractor based in Oshkosh, Wisc., is working with Ford on mail truck prototypes.
Mahindra: a mild hybrid option.
Mahindra North America, a unit of India’s Mahindra Group, sells tractors and utility vehicles in America and operates the Mahindra North American Technical Center in Troy, Mich. Mahindra produced the Willys jeep under license in India after World War II.
VT Hackney/Workhorse: A battery-electric mail truck with a range extender.
VT Hackney is a commercial truck and van body manufacturer based in Washington, N.C. It is owned by Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., a global technology, defense and engineering company. Workhorse is a relatively new builder of electric trucks. Workhorse also supplies electric vans to UPS.
All of the companies are prevented from commenting on their prototypes or the program by their contracts with the Postal Service. And the agency has not released details about the testing.
Source : https://www.trucks.com/2019/02/04
Posti invites companies to submit bids on mail delivery
February 4, 2019
Posti is about to initiate the sourcing procedure on the five-day delivery of universal service letters in areas not covered by early-morning newspaper delivery. Interested companies can sign up for the competitive tendering from February 4, 2019 onwards.
The amended Postal Act requires Posti to put out to tender the five-day delivery of universal service letters—i.e. letters and postcards equipped with a stamp or other cash payment method—in areas not covered by newspaper early-morning delivery that has been agreed upon commercially.
The tendering was arranged first time last year. In order to organize this year's competition, The Finnish Transport and Communications Authority Traficom has made a new area definition. The tendering covers 1,831 destinations. As a result of the regional definition, the number of areas under competitive tendering has increased by 41.
As a new feature Posti is piloting in certain areas a model where delivery and collection of all deliveries are including in tendering process in addition to universal service letters. The Postal Act requires only the tendering procedure for the delivery of universal service letters.
- The tendering procedure is organized annually in accordance with the requirements of the Postal Act. As last year Posti wants to perform this task transparently and neutrally. This year, the process has been developed so that in two areas we are piloting the competition for a regional service entity, says, Noora Laaksonen Vice President who is responsible for the procedure at Posti.
More extensive competition is being tested in Rääkkylä and Virolahti. The aim of the pilot was to find areas that represent a typical sparsely populated area in terms of delivery.
The sourcing will not affect the basic delivery of newspapers in sparsely populated areas. Newspaper delivery will continue according to existing contracts.
Posti already employs subcontractors in mail delivery and transport services. Most of these are small companies. In mail delivery, Posti currently uses subcontractors on 157 distribution routes.
Postikilpailutus.fi -website is opened on February 4, 2019
Companies willing to participate in the tendering are requested to register between February 4 and February 15, 2019, using the registration link on Posti’s website postikilpailutus.fi
The Postikilpailutus.fi website contains information on the implementation of the competition, the tendering destinations and special requirements. Companies wishing to participate in the competition will be asked to register using an electronic form filled in with the company and contact person's name, business ID and e-mail address.
As last year, the tender will be held electronically in the Posti's Sourcing Portal. The bidding company will select the bidding destinations or destinations and will leave a binding bid in the Sourcing Portal by marking the bid price it offers.
- All bidders are treated in a uniform manner and the choice is made objectively in accordance with the criteria stated in the Posti´s Sourcing Portal, says Laaksonen.
The basic criteria for the tender are, for example, that the company commits itself to complying with the ethical guidelines for Posti's suppliers and is a Reliable Partner (Luotettava Kumppani) under Tilaajavastuu.fi.
At the end of the tendering procedure, Posti’s Sourcing will compare the tenders and award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender based on an overall assessment. Operations under the contract will begin on July 1, 2019.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2019
Australia Post boosts its electric fleet by 1,000
February 1, 2019
Australia Post has ordered an additional 1,000 three-wheeled electric delivery vehicles (eDVs)- making it the nation’s largest electric vehicle fleet operator.
Australia Post started trialling eDVs in 2017 and is now deploying them in all states.
Australia Post Group Chief Operating Officer, Bob Black, said: “The 1,000 eDVs boost its existing fleet of electric postie vehicles – including electric pushbikes – and creates a range of benefits for posties, customers and the environment.”
“We are proud to soon be operating Australia’s largest fleet of electric vehicles, and hope this will set the standard across Australia,” Mr Black said.
“With parcel volumes growing – on average, close to 10 % each year for the last three years – and letter volumes declining, we’re always looking for ways to ensure our posties continue to play an important and sustainable role in the community.
“These vehicles offer additional carrying capacity, so our posties can deliver more parcels than ever before directly to the customer’s door – and can perform additional functions, such as collecting mail from street posting boxes.”
Along with delivery benefits, Mr Black said the electric vehicles also offer added safety and environmental protections.
“The eDVs are safer than the traditional motorcycle. They are easier to see on the road, more stable, have increased rider protection and lower on-road speeds, all of which reduce a postie’s exposure to incidents and serious accidents.
“Our posties love the eDVs because they demonstrate our commitment to providing safer and more sustainable employment into the future, given consumers are sending fewer letters and relying more and more on their postie to deliver their parcels.
“They will also help us achieve our commitment of reducing our carbon emissions by 25 % by 2020.”
Deployment of the additional 1,000 vehicles is expected to start from June across all states.
Along with the additional 1,000 eDVs Australia Post will also roll out an additional 4,000 electric pushbikes, bringing its total to 5,980 over the next three years.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/100258/news
POSTAL NEWS
No 12-2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Strike called at Royal Mail Northern Ireland office. February 7, 2019.
Royal Mail delivers Tracked Returns for Australian online shoppers as a third shop on UK sites. February 7, 2019.
FedEx and TNT move towards fully integrated operations. February 6, 2019.
Poste Italiane: Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi Sgr sign up to Principles for Responsible Investments (Pri). February 5, 2019.
Zaandijk exclusive: first PostNL parcel machine at filling station De Haan . February 4, 2019.
Strike called at Royal Mail Northern Ireland office
February 7, 2019
Delivery members at a Northern Ireland unit will strike later this month unless management “see sense and listen to reason” over a controversial discipline action against two postmen.
Craig Stewart and Jim Magowan, from Bangor Delivery Office, were handed two-year suspended dismissals back in September for an alleged “non-completion” of a duty, but they, their workmates and their branch insist that the pair followed the proper procedures and that the disciplinary penalties are unfair.
Despite pursuing an appeal through the internal procedure, the company maintained the penalty against the pair and the branch was left with no alternative but to request a strike ballot last month – which returned a 81% majority in favour.
The CWU postal executive met yesterday, noted the result and formally authorised two days of strike action at Bangor, which will take place on Saturday 23rd February and Monday 25th February.
“Members here are furious at what’s happened to Craig and Jim,” reports Northern Ireland East Branch secretary Davy Moffett, “and there will be rock-solid backing for the action in the Bangor office, as well as strong support right across the branch area.”
Meetings between the company’s senior Northern Ireland and the union have taken place over the past week and there are plans for further discussions, reports Davy and he points out that “there is still time for the company to avoid this strike.
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
Royal Mail delivers Tracked Returns for Australian online shoppers as a third shop on UK sites
February 7, 2019
Purchasing from the UK
Australian shoppers are keen on overseas websites with 30 per cent of online shoppers making a purchase from a UK site*, according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. Of these shoppers, the average spend on UK websites is $70 (£39) per month**. With global reach and the number one facilitator of ecommerce in the UK, Royal Mail is well placed to observe trends across the industry.
The key reasons that Australian shoppers cited for shopping on UK sites were availability, a love of UK brands and price. 76 per cent of Australian shoppers will buy products from the UK if they can’t find them locally. Further to this, 46 per cent of Australian online shoppers seek out items that are only on sale in the UK and 59 per cent do so because they love British brands.
60 per cent of Australian online shoppers purchasing from UK sites find UK items to be much cheaper than buying locally. Just over two fifths (41 per cent) would shop from a UK retailer if it was cheaper. 80 per cent of online shoppers in Australia trust items purchased from UK sites to be genuine brands, reducing the risk of buying fake products.
Shopping habits of Australian consumers
Over eight in ten (81 per cent) Australian shoppers use digital marketplaces, compared to 68 per cent in the UK. EBay is the leading destination, followed by Gumtree and Amazon.
Online shoppers in Australia are looking for inspiration as well as value for money but the delivery experience is also of crucial importance. Three quarters (75 per cent) consider delivery ratings influential when shopping on digital marketplaces, compared to 58 per cent in the UK.
The average shopper in Australia spends $160 (£89) per month* shopping (excluding groceries), with $132 (£73) of this spent online. This is 83 per cent of their total shopping bill, up from 71 per cent in 2015. The average Australian online shopper is 48 years old and slightly more likely to be female.
When it comes to products, the top three categories for online purchasing are clothes (39 per cent), books (24 per cent) and holidays/travel (17 per cent). Australian online shoppers are also significantly more likely to purchase accessories compared to the average international shopper.
Tracked Returns to Australia
Over one in ten (12 per cent) Australian online shoppers has returned an item purchased from a UK site. The research also found that 73 per cent of Australian online shoppers would track every item they order if the service was available. Almost three quarters (74 per cent) would be unlikely to shop with a retailer following a difficult return experience, compared to the international average of 66 per cent. 75 per cent of Australian online shoppers consider it important to be able to track a return to a retailer.
Royal Mail International has developed a new tracked returns service in Australia to give customers confidence and provide peace of mind, alongside giving retailers greater visibility of their stock.
How the Tracked Returns service operates
Royal Mail sets retailers up on a secure returns portal.
The retailer designs a branded returns page and directs customers to its page by providing them with a web link.
Customers can access the returns site and once they have inputted their details online they receive a confirmation email.
The email contains a link to download the returns label with instructions on how to post the return item.
The returns package is delivered using a tracked service provided by the local Postal Operator (Australia Post) to an in-country hub for transport back to the UK.
When returned items arrive in the UK, they are delivered to the designated ‘returns’ address via Royal Mail’s tracked domestic network.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “Australia is an attractive market for exporters. The country has high internet penetration, widespread use of English as a main language and a high potential for international ecommerce sales. For UK businesses wanting to grow internationally, it's important to understand the distinct shopping habits of consumers in different countries. At Royal Mail, we have experience delivering into 230 countries and territories worldwide. Retailers that tune into the different ways in which consumers shop across the globe, are likely to be more successful on an international scale.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail
FedEx and TNT move towards fully integrated operations
February 6, 2019 FedEx Express is to use the TNT European road network to improve transit times for FedEx Intra-Europe Economy shipments.
FedEx Intra-European Economy parcel shipments are those delivered within the EU within 2-5 business days, and are a vital service for many customers, particularly SMEs trading within Europe.
Transit times will improve on approximately 40% of the European lanes in the countries where the service improvement is implemented.
Bert Nappier, president of FedEx Express and CEO of TNT commented on the news:
“This is an exciting development for our customers and our team members, as the benefits of integration are coming to life through a faster, more comprehensive service for businesses trading within Europe.”
“Through integration with TNT we are building Europe’s premier logistics business, and the integration of our economy networks takes us one step closer.”
The service improvement is currently being launched across Germany, United Kingdom, Benelux, Poland and Spain and will progressively roll out across the rest of Europe throughout the first half of 2019.
As a result, many customers will see faster transit times and some may see co-branded TNT drivers pick up or deliver shipments, as more stations integrate. Tracking and shipping tools, customer support and invoicing will remain the same, ensuring a consistent interface for customers.
Through integration with TNT, FedEx Express has significantly increased its presence in the European market. TNT’s road network operates 55,000 weekly road trips, across more than 540 depots and 45 countries in Europe.
Source: https://postandparcel.info/100290/news
Poste Italiane: Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi Sgr sign up to Principles for Responsible Investments (Pri)
February 5, 2019
Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi SGR have become signatories to the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI), confirming the Poste Italiane Group’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. This marks the continuation of the organic process of applying Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at all levels of Poste Italiane’s activities, in its strategy, governance and business processes.
“Poste Italiane is a leader in the financial sector and, as an investor, plays a major role in supporting businesses, employment and sustainable economic growth in our country,” said Matteo Del Fante, Poste Italiane’s Chief Executive Officer. “By signing up to the Principles for Responsible Investments, the Group is strengthening its position as a key player in the world of corporate social responsibility: by making ESG criteria an integral part of our investment decisions, the sustainable management principles adopted by the Company are not only applied within the organisation, but are also promoted externally, whilst at the same time improving the way we do business for the benefit of our customers.”
The six principles cover a range of actions designed to enable the adoption of ESG criteria in traditional investment processes and policies and formally commit the Company to consider ESG issues in its investment analysis and in the related decision-making processes. The Principles also require us to incorporate ESG issues in our relations with stakeholders and to ensure appropriate disclosure on the issues by the Company and the entities in which we invest. In addition, Poste Vita and BancoPosta Fondi SGR will promote acceptance, implementation and the improved effectiveness of the Principles in the financial sector, and report to stakeholders on their activities and the progress made in implementing the Principles.
“We believe that integrating environmental, social and governance criteria into our investment processes is a key element in achieving sustainable performance over time, reducing our portfolio’s risk profile and acting in line with the principles of integrity and transparency,” said Giuseppe Lasco, Head of Corporate Affairs at Poste Italiane. “Integration of ESG criteria will enable us to have a better understanding of the risks and opportunities involved in a financial transaction, thus creating trust and value for ourcustomers and contribute to the country’s growth and wellbeing.”
Source:https://www.posteitaliane.it/en/press-releases
Zaandijk exclusive: first PostNL parcel machine at filling station De Haan
February 4, 2019
The Hague, 4 February 2019 – The residents of Zaandijk can also send and receive parcels again, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is because since today a letter and parcel machine of PostNL has been placed at filling station De Haan at Fortuinweg 3 in Zaandijk. This machine is a new initiative for De Haan in the service level towards its clients, and for PostNL it is a next step in its test with the letter and parcel machine.
No longer need to queue again
From today consumers in Zaandijk can use the innovative letter and parcel machine of PostNL to receive their parcels and/or send their letters and parcels. Jean-Luc Otten, Business Development Manager at PostNL. ‘Consumers are increasingly shopping online. They send and receive an increasing number of parcels, and want to do this when and where it is convenient for them. When you pass this petrol station every day, you can pick up your parcel on the way to your work or on the way home. And you don't have to queue anymore at a post office or parcel point. The location at the filling station is also ideal for all residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods.’
Addition to new concept
For De Haan the letter and parcel machine in Zaandijk is a fine addition to a new concept. Arnold-Willem de Haan, responsible for shop development: ‘As a filling station company we try to make an adequate assessment of the local needs of our customers. We
extensively renovated our location in Zaandijk last September and added a new concept: Tony’s Coffee & More. The focus of concept is on coffee and services. We are convinced that a letter and parcel machine would fit in very well here and certainly think that this is
possible at more locations.’ De Haan and PostNL are currently examining how they can intensify this new cooperation.
Test letter and parcel machine
The letter and parcel machine consist of a postbox with two openings and several parcel safes. The machine can send and receive parcels at a moment decided by the consumers themselves. PostNL started the test with the letter and parcel machine in Almere with 15 machines at the end of 2016. Limburg and Tilburg followed in 2017. In 2018 PostNL extended the test to Breda, Amersfoort, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Geertruidenberg, Stein, Nijmegen and Zwolle. PostNL continues to extend its network on the basis of the wishes of business clients and consumers, and this also includes these machines. In the meanwhile there are 66 letter and parcel machines in the Netherlands, including the machine in Zaandijk. See postnl.nl/pba for more information.
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/news/2019
No 11-2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
8 Thousand Joint Personnel Secure PT Pos Indonesia Employee Demonstration. February 6, 2019.
Small Parcels Arriving Faster as UPS Gets Smarter. February 5, 2019.
Postal Service Wrapping Up Testing of New Mail Truck Prototypes. February 4, 2019.
Posti invites companies to submit bids on mail delivery. February 4, 2019.
Australia Post boosts its electric fleet by 1,000. February 1, 2019.
8 Thousand Joint Personnel Secure PT Pos Indonesia Employee Demonstration
February 6, 2019
Jakarta - Employees of PT Pos Indonesia who are members of the Pos Indonesia Strong - Dignity Workers Union (SPPIKB) will hold a demonstration this morning. A total of 8,000 joint personnel consisting of Regional Military, National Police, and regional governments were mobilized to secure the course of action.
"A total of 8,018 joint personnel of the National Police, the Regional Military and Regional Government," said the Head of the Metro Jaya Police Public Relations Commissioner Argo Yuwono to detikcom when asked for confirmation on Wednesday (02/06/2019).
Argo said many personnel because the mass field coordinator reported the number of participants demonstrating 12 thousand people. "In a notification letter of 12 thousand (people)," Argo said.
But before, the Communication Media Coordinator of SPPIKB Fadhol Wahab, when contacted by detikcom, said the mass was only around 1,000 people. They consist of employees of PT Pos Indonesia in the Jabodetabek (Great Jakarta Area), Java, and Sumatra regions.
The demonstration began at the gathering point of the PT Pos Indonesia office (General Post Office), Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, at around 09.00 a.m. The crowd will move to the office of the Ministry of State Owned Enterprises, then in front of the State Palace.
Wahab said the demonstration was aimed at saving PT Pos Indonesia from bad management of the company. It was said to be bad because according to Wahab there was a lot of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) in the government-owned company.
"Related to the company's rescue because what happened in that we saw there were many indications of KKN. In our opinion, it was not GCG (good corporate governance). As a result of that GCG, this company became financially deteriorated," Wahab told detikcom.
Source : https://news.detik.com
Small Parcels Arriving Faster as UPS Gets Smarter
February 5, 2019
UPS seems to have broken their fourth quarter curse in which delays and slip ups seemed to be more the highlights versus any revenue achievements. Overall quarterly revenue was good, increasing just below 5% while adjusted net income increased almost 17%. Average revenue yield expanded 4.1% with gains in all products and record shipments were achieved.
Higher base rates and fees including peak surcharges as well as the initial tariff 25% increase deadline of December 31 benefited UPS during the quarter. A higher number of B2B shippers were noted for the quarter as many were possibly stockpiling ahead of the December 31 deadline and perhaps ahead of the February 5 Chinese New Year holiday.
As a result of higher shipping costs and trade concerns, shippers not only paid more to ship goods to customers, but they also shipped more items. Average daily domestic volumes for fourth quarter increased 3.0% year-over-year to over 21 million packages.
Whereas in years past, UPS might have buckled under the weight of such volume, instead the company was able to maintain promised delivery times the majority of the time during the holiday season.
“Exceptional on-time service during the peak holiday season” was noted in their press release and indeed, they achieved it thanks to technology investments and upgraded and new facilities around the world.
Officially launched during the fourth quarter, UPSNav is integrated into ORION and combines UPS delivery data, including such information as the location of loading docks and package receiving areas, with ORION maps to find the most cost-effective route between stops. UPS’ On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation (ORION) system optimizes routes, a cost savings tool as well as a time saving one. The company plans to provide UPSNav to 40,000 additional drivers in areas where route density is greatest to increase final mile efficiency.
Another technology solution UPS has embraced is their suite of Network Planning Tools (NPT). As part of the NPT chest, the Peak Volume Alignment Tool proved extremely useful during the holiday season. It allowed UPS to match incoming volume flows and available network capacity for increased capacity utilization and operating efficiency. By using advanced analytics, UPS was able to provide the right amount of service levels to match the volumes, an issue that the company struggled with in previous holiday seasons.
In addition to technology tools, new and existing facilities are benefiting via automation upgrades. In 2018, UPS invested in twenty-two new and updated automated facilities worldwide, including five new superhubs. According to UPS, These facilities are 25% to 35% more efficient. Scott Childress, Investor Relations Officer noted for 2018, almost 70% of ground eligible volume went through these automated facilities. In 2019 it is expected to increase to 80% when an additional eighteen automated hubs are expected to open. This is compared to 2017 when only 50% of ground eligible volume traveled through automated facilities.
Cost savings and efficiency gains are usually emphasized when UPS introduces new technology-enabled solutions or a newly automated facility. But for the shipper, it typically means higher shipping costs. UPS, however, describes its increasingly higher rates and fees as the cost to provide value to the customer whether the customer is a business or consumer.
Perhaps UPS has a point, the value lies in faster delivery times. With Amazon building its own ground delivery network, UPS and FedEx are in danger of losing valuable ground market share to the e-commerce behemoth. While they succeeded in driving DHL out of the U.S. ground delivery business in 2008, Amazon is a completely different competitor and has changed the game beginning with its Prime membership promising free 2-day delivery. Now, 2-day delivery has become a standard, thanks to Amazon and UPS and FedEx are in a race for speed.
Costly investments in facilities and technology are a necessity. But, for UPS, the added pressure of a unionized ground delivery labor force on top of its investments makes it that more costly and difficult for the company to compete effectively and so the rationalization of providing value (i.e. higher shipping rates and fees) to the customer is needed. But, that rationalization will likely fade over time as the game continues to evolve.
Source : https://logisticstrendsandinsights.com
Postal Service Wrapping Up Testing of New Mail Truck Prototypes
February 04, 2019
The U.S. Postal Service said it expects to wrap up mail truck prototype testing for its Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program in the coming months and then will seek bids for an estimated $6.3 billion contract to produce the new mail truck.
“Most likely early 2019,” said Kim Frum, a spokesperson for the federal agency, recently.
The Postal Service is testing 50 prototypes from five companies as it looks to replace its aging fleet of Grumman Long Life Vehicles, or LLVs. The old mail trucks lack modern safety features, have poor fuel economy and have been plagued by fires and increasingly expensive repairs. At least six burned up last month.
They were also built to handle mostly letters, not packages, which make up more of today’s mail volume.
A mix of powertrains
The prototypes include a mix of alternative fuel and hybrid technologies, including all-electric options.
Awarding a manufacturing contract for the 180,000 new mail trucks it wants would be the next step, if the agency follows its original plan. The contract is worth up to $6.3 billion over five years.
Prototype testing, which began 15 months ago, has been a mix of real-world road work and in-lab durability trials. It was expected to take six months, according to the original timeline the Postal Service published for the program.
Once testing is complete, the agency will determine when to release a request for proposal, or RFP, to actually manufacture the vehicles, Frum said.
Despite the delays and the agency’s target price of $25,000 to $35,000 per mail truck, the companies that survive the prototype stage are likely to bid on the production phase, according to one industry expert.
‘Huge showcase’
“This is a huge showcase for whoever gets it,” said Antti Lindstrom, the truck analyst at IHS Markit.
And the Postal Service may pick more than one team’s design, he said, so it has vehicles suited to the different weather and terrain conditions its daily-delivery drivers face.
There are still plenty of potential bumps before the new mail trucks hit the road, Lindstrom said. The Postal Service’s request for prototype proposals was issued in 2015, with designs approved in 2016. Since then, technology has changed rapidly, particularly for alternative fuel and electric powertrain options.
Political headwinds are also likely, he said. The “America first” mantra of the current administration may make it hard for the agency to choose a foreign automaker for the contract, even if the vehicles would be produced here.
And it’s no secret President Donald Trump already is unhappy with Postal Service finances and how the agency does business with commercial package shippers like Amazon.
Will agency proceed?
Then there’s the cost. It’s not clear the agency’s price range for the new mail trucks is still realistic. And it’s not clear if the Postal Service, which is in the red due in part to having to prepay employee pensions, will immediately go ahead with the multibillion-dollar, multiyear purchase.
In a November financial report, the agency did not appear to include money to pay for the production of new mail trucks in fiscal 2019, which ends Sept. 30. It projected capital spending commitments of $100 million for vehicles. That is less than the $400 million it listed for the prior year. But the agency did note in its report that the figure for this year could increase sharply if certain projects are approved by its Board of Governors.
“The FY 2019 Commitment Plan may have up to $4.5 billion in additional capital added based on additional individual project BOG approvals,” the agency said in its report. The board is scheduled to meet Friday, Feb. 8.
The five companies competing to win the prototype design phase are:
AM General LLC: a mail truck with an internal combustion engine with stop-start technology for improved fuel efficiency.
AM General is a defense and automotive company based in South Bend, Ind., known for its Humvee military trucks. Its prototypes will “seek to provide fuel efficiency and zero emission capability,” according to a September 2016 company press release.
AM General has not said it is working with a partner on the contract. But a previously unknown participant, London EV Co. USA, which has said it teamed with AM General on an electric option, has said it will withdraw after the testing phase. LEVC USA was previously known as Emerald Automotive, which was one of the 15 companies preapproved by the Postal Service to bid on the prototype contracts. AM General has not responded to requests for comment.
Karsan Otomotiv/Morgan Olson: A fully electric mail truck.
Karsan, based in Turkey, specializes in contract-based production of light and heavy commercial vehicles. It has teamed with longtime postal service supplier Morgan Olson LLC of Sturgin, Mich., on mail truck prototypes.
Two years ago the companies announced a broad alliance. Morgan Olson, known for its aluminum commercial van bodies and step-vans, will provide assembly, production, sales and after-sales service for Karsan vehicles designed for the North American market. The deal could allow Karsan to produce Buy America-compliant vehicles.
Morgan Olson has a long history with the Postal Service. It was part of Grumman when that company won the Postal Service contract to build today’s boxy mail trucks. It built the bodies and did the final assembly with General Motors chassis and engines. Morgan Olson also won a large contract in 2015 to supply the Postal Service with walk-in-body delivery trucks.
Oshkosh Corp./Ford Motor Co.: A modified Ford Transit Cargo van.
Oshkosh, a defense contractor based in Oshkosh, Wisc., is working with Ford on mail truck prototypes.
Mahindra: a mild hybrid option.
Mahindra North America, a unit of India’s Mahindra Group, sells tractors and utility vehicles in America and operates the Mahindra North American Technical Center in Troy, Mich. Mahindra produced the Willys jeep under license in India after World War II.
VT Hackney/Workhorse: A battery-electric mail truck with a range extender.
VT Hackney is a commercial truck and van body manufacturer based in Washington, N.C. It is owned by Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., a global technology, defense and engineering company. Workhorse is a relatively new builder of electric trucks. Workhorse also supplies electric vans to UPS.
All of the companies are prevented from commenting on their prototypes or the program by their contracts with the Postal Service. And the agency has not released details about the testing.
Source : https://www.trucks.com/2019/02/04
Posti invites companies to submit bids on mail delivery
February 4, 2019
Posti is about to initiate the sourcing procedure on the five-day delivery of universal service letters in areas not covered by early-morning newspaper delivery. Interested companies can sign up for the competitive tendering from February 4, 2019 onwards.
The amended Postal Act requires Posti to put out to tender the five-day delivery of universal service letters—i.e. letters and postcards equipped with a stamp or other cash payment method—in areas not covered by newspaper early-morning delivery that has been agreed upon commercially.
The tendering was arranged first time last year. In order to organize this year's competition, The Finnish Transport and Communications Authority Traficom has made a new area definition. The tendering covers 1,831 destinations. As a result of the regional definition, the number of areas under competitive tendering has increased by 41.
As a new feature Posti is piloting in certain areas a model where delivery and collection of all deliveries are including in tendering process in addition to universal service letters. The Postal Act requires only the tendering procedure for the delivery of universal service letters.
- The tendering procedure is organized annually in accordance with the requirements of the Postal Act. As last year Posti wants to perform this task transparently and neutrally. This year, the process has been developed so that in two areas we are piloting the competition for a regional service entity, says, Noora Laaksonen Vice President who is responsible for the procedure at Posti.
More extensive competition is being tested in Rääkkylä and Virolahti. The aim of the pilot was to find areas that represent a typical sparsely populated area in terms of delivery.
The sourcing will not affect the basic delivery of newspapers in sparsely populated areas. Newspaper delivery will continue according to existing contracts.
Posti already employs subcontractors in mail delivery and transport services. Most of these are small companies. In mail delivery, Posti currently uses subcontractors on 157 distribution routes.
Postikilpailutus.fi -website is opened on February 4, 2019
Companies willing to participate in the tendering are requested to register between February 4 and February 15, 2019, using the registration link on Posti’s website postikilpailutus.fi
The Postikilpailutus.fi website contains information on the implementation of the competition, the tendering destinations and special requirements. Companies wishing to participate in the competition will be asked to register using an electronic form filled in with the company and contact person's name, business ID and e-mail address.
As last year, the tender will be held electronically in the Posti's Sourcing Portal. The bidding company will select the bidding destinations or destinations and will leave a binding bid in the Sourcing Portal by marking the bid price it offers.
- All bidders are treated in a uniform manner and the choice is made objectively in accordance with the criteria stated in the Posti´s Sourcing Portal, says Laaksonen.
The basic criteria for the tender are, for example, that the company commits itself to complying with the ethical guidelines for Posti's suppliers and is a Reliable Partner (Luotettava Kumppani) under Tilaajavastuu.fi.
At the end of the tendering procedure, Posti’s Sourcing will compare the tenders and award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender based on an overall assessment. Operations under the contract will begin on July 1, 2019.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2019
Australia Post boosts its electric fleet by 1,000
February 1, 2019
Australia Post has ordered an additional 1,000 three-wheeled electric delivery vehicles (eDVs)- making it the nation’s largest electric vehicle fleet operator.
Australia Post started trialling eDVs in 2017 and is now deploying them in all states.
Australia Post Group Chief Operating Officer, Bob Black, said: “The 1,000 eDVs boost its existing fleet of electric postie vehicles – including electric pushbikes – and creates a range of benefits for posties, customers and the environment.”
“We are proud to soon be operating Australia’s largest fleet of electric vehicles, and hope this will set the standard across Australia,” Mr Black said.
“With parcel volumes growing – on average, close to 10 % each year for the last three years – and letter volumes declining, we’re always looking for ways to ensure our posties continue to play an important and sustainable role in the community.
“These vehicles offer additional carrying capacity, so our posties can deliver more parcels than ever before directly to the customer’s door – and can perform additional functions, such as collecting mail from street posting boxes.”
Along with delivery benefits, Mr Black said the electric vehicles also offer added safety and environmental protections.
“The eDVs are safer than the traditional motorcycle. They are easier to see on the road, more stable, have increased rider protection and lower on-road speeds, all of which reduce a postie’s exposure to incidents and serious accidents.
“Our posties love the eDVs because they demonstrate our commitment to providing safer and more sustainable employment into the future, given consumers are sending fewer letters and relying more and more on their postie to deliver their parcels.
“They will also help us achieve our commitment of reducing our carbon emissions by 25 % by 2020.”
Deployment of the additional 1,000 vehicles is expected to start from June across all states.
Along with the additional 1,000 eDVs Australia Post will also roll out an additional 4,000 electric pushbikes, bringing its total to 5,980 over the next three years.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/100258/news
POSTAL NEWS
No 12-2019
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Strike called at Royal Mail Northern Ireland office. February 7, 2019.
Royal Mail delivers Tracked Returns for Australian online shoppers as a third shop on UK sites. February 7, 2019.
FedEx and TNT move towards fully integrated operations. February 6, 2019.
Poste Italiane: Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi Sgr sign up to Principles for Responsible Investments (Pri). February 5, 2019.
Zaandijk exclusive: first PostNL parcel machine at filling station De Haan . February 4, 2019.
Strike called at Royal Mail Northern Ireland office
February 7, 2019
Delivery members at a Northern Ireland unit will strike later this month unless management “see sense and listen to reason” over a controversial discipline action against two postmen.
Craig Stewart and Jim Magowan, from Bangor Delivery Office, were handed two-year suspended dismissals back in September for an alleged “non-completion” of a duty, but they, their workmates and their branch insist that the pair followed the proper procedures and that the disciplinary penalties are unfair.
Despite pursuing an appeal through the internal procedure, the company maintained the penalty against the pair and the branch was left with no alternative but to request a strike ballot last month – which returned a 81% majority in favour.
The CWU postal executive met yesterday, noted the result and formally authorised two days of strike action at Bangor, which will take place on Saturday 23rd February and Monday 25th February.
“Members here are furious at what’s happened to Craig and Jim,” reports Northern Ireland East Branch secretary Davy Moffett, “and there will be rock-solid backing for the action in the Bangor office, as well as strong support right across the branch area.”
Meetings between the company’s senior Northern Ireland and the union have taken place over the past week and there are plans for further discussions, reports Davy and he points out that “there is still time for the company to avoid this strike.
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
Royal Mail delivers Tracked Returns for Australian online shoppers as a third shop on UK sites
February 7, 2019
Purchasing from the UK
Australian shoppers are keen on overseas websites with 30 per cent of online shoppers making a purchase from a UK site*, according to a study commissioned by Royal Mail. Of these shoppers, the average spend on UK websites is $70 (£39) per month**. With global reach and the number one facilitator of ecommerce in the UK, Royal Mail is well placed to observe trends across the industry.
The key reasons that Australian shoppers cited for shopping on UK sites were availability, a love of UK brands and price. 76 per cent of Australian shoppers will buy products from the UK if they can’t find them locally. Further to this, 46 per cent of Australian online shoppers seek out items that are only on sale in the UK and 59 per cent do so because they love British brands.
60 per cent of Australian online shoppers purchasing from UK sites find UK items to be much cheaper than buying locally. Just over two fifths (41 per cent) would shop from a UK retailer if it was cheaper. 80 per cent of online shoppers in Australia trust items purchased from UK sites to be genuine brands, reducing the risk of buying fake products.
Shopping habits of Australian consumers
Over eight in ten (81 per cent) Australian shoppers use digital marketplaces, compared to 68 per cent in the UK. EBay is the leading destination, followed by Gumtree and Amazon.
Online shoppers in Australia are looking for inspiration as well as value for money but the delivery experience is also of crucial importance. Three quarters (75 per cent) consider delivery ratings influential when shopping on digital marketplaces, compared to 58 per cent in the UK.
The average shopper in Australia spends $160 (£89) per month* shopping (excluding groceries), with $132 (£73) of this spent online. This is 83 per cent of their total shopping bill, up from 71 per cent in 2015. The average Australian online shopper is 48 years old and slightly more likely to be female.
When it comes to products, the top three categories for online purchasing are clothes (39 per cent), books (24 per cent) and holidays/travel (17 per cent). Australian online shoppers are also significantly more likely to purchase accessories compared to the average international shopper.
Tracked Returns to Australia
Over one in ten (12 per cent) Australian online shoppers has returned an item purchased from a UK site. The research also found that 73 per cent of Australian online shoppers would track every item they order if the service was available. Almost three quarters (74 per cent) would be unlikely to shop with a retailer following a difficult return experience, compared to the international average of 66 per cent. 75 per cent of Australian online shoppers consider it important to be able to track a return to a retailer.
Royal Mail International has developed a new tracked returns service in Australia to give customers confidence and provide peace of mind, alongside giving retailers greater visibility of their stock.
How the Tracked Returns service operates
Royal Mail sets retailers up on a secure returns portal.
The retailer designs a branded returns page and directs customers to its page by providing them with a web link.
Customers can access the returns site and once they have inputted their details online they receive a confirmation email.
The email contains a link to download the returns label with instructions on how to post the return item.
The returns package is delivered using a tracked service provided by the local Postal Operator (Australia Post) to an in-country hub for transport back to the UK.
When returned items arrive in the UK, they are delivered to the designated ‘returns’ address via Royal Mail’s tracked domestic network.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “Australia is an attractive market for exporters. The country has high internet penetration, widespread use of English as a main language and a high potential for international ecommerce sales. For UK businesses wanting to grow internationally, it's important to understand the distinct shopping habits of consumers in different countries. At Royal Mail, we have experience delivering into 230 countries and territories worldwide. Retailers that tune into the different ways in which consumers shop across the globe, are likely to be more successful on an international scale.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail
FedEx and TNT move towards fully integrated operations
February 6, 2019 FedEx Express is to use the TNT European road network to improve transit times for FedEx Intra-Europe Economy shipments.
FedEx Intra-European Economy parcel shipments are those delivered within the EU within 2-5 business days, and are a vital service for many customers, particularly SMEs trading within Europe.
Transit times will improve on approximately 40% of the European lanes in the countries where the service improvement is implemented.
Bert Nappier, president of FedEx Express and CEO of TNT commented on the news:
“This is an exciting development for our customers and our team members, as the benefits of integration are coming to life through a faster, more comprehensive service for businesses trading within Europe.”
“Through integration with TNT we are building Europe’s premier logistics business, and the integration of our economy networks takes us one step closer.”
The service improvement is currently being launched across Germany, United Kingdom, Benelux, Poland and Spain and will progressively roll out across the rest of Europe throughout the first half of 2019.
As a result, many customers will see faster transit times and some may see co-branded TNT drivers pick up or deliver shipments, as more stations integrate. Tracking and shipping tools, customer support and invoicing will remain the same, ensuring a consistent interface for customers.
Through integration with TNT, FedEx Express has significantly increased its presence in the European market. TNT’s road network operates 55,000 weekly road trips, across more than 540 depots and 45 countries in Europe.
Source: https://postandparcel.info/100290/news
Poste Italiane: Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi Sgr sign up to Principles for Responsible Investments (Pri)
February 5, 2019
Poste Vita and Bancoposta Fondi SGR have become signatories to the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investments (PRI), confirming the Poste Italiane Group’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. This marks the continuation of the organic process of applying Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at all levels of Poste Italiane’s activities, in its strategy, governance and business processes.
“Poste Italiane is a leader in the financial sector and, as an investor, plays a major role in supporting businesses, employment and sustainable economic growth in our country,” said Matteo Del Fante, Poste Italiane’s Chief Executive Officer. “By signing up to the Principles for Responsible Investments, the Group is strengthening its position as a key player in the world of corporate social responsibility: by making ESG criteria an integral part of our investment decisions, the sustainable management principles adopted by the Company are not only applied within the organisation, but are also promoted externally, whilst at the same time improving the way we do business for the benefit of our customers.”
The six principles cover a range of actions designed to enable the adoption of ESG criteria in traditional investment processes and policies and formally commit the Company to consider ESG issues in its investment analysis and in the related decision-making processes. The Principles also require us to incorporate ESG issues in our relations with stakeholders and to ensure appropriate disclosure on the issues by the Company and the entities in which we invest. In addition, Poste Vita and BancoPosta Fondi SGR will promote acceptance, implementation and the improved effectiveness of the Principles in the financial sector, and report to stakeholders on their activities and the progress made in implementing the Principles.
“We believe that integrating environmental, social and governance criteria into our investment processes is a key element in achieving sustainable performance over time, reducing our portfolio’s risk profile and acting in line with the principles of integrity and transparency,” said Giuseppe Lasco, Head of Corporate Affairs at Poste Italiane. “Integration of ESG criteria will enable us to have a better understanding of the risks and opportunities involved in a financial transaction, thus creating trust and value for ourcustomers and contribute to the country’s growth and wellbeing.”
Source:https://www.posteitaliane.it/en/press-releases
Zaandijk exclusive: first PostNL parcel machine at filling station De Haan
February 4, 2019
The Hague, 4 February 2019 – The residents of Zaandijk can also send and receive parcels again, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is because since today a letter and parcel machine of PostNL has been placed at filling station De Haan at Fortuinweg 3 in Zaandijk. This machine is a new initiative for De Haan in the service level towards its clients, and for PostNL it is a next step in its test with the letter and parcel machine.
No longer need to queue again
From today consumers in Zaandijk can use the innovative letter and parcel machine of PostNL to receive their parcels and/or send their letters and parcels. Jean-Luc Otten, Business Development Manager at PostNL. ‘Consumers are increasingly shopping online. They send and receive an increasing number of parcels, and want to do this when and where it is convenient for them. When you pass this petrol station every day, you can pick up your parcel on the way to your work or on the way home. And you don't have to queue anymore at a post office or parcel point. The location at the filling station is also ideal for all residents of the surrounding neighbourhoods.’
Addition to new concept
For De Haan the letter and parcel machine in Zaandijk is a fine addition to a new concept. Arnold-Willem de Haan, responsible for shop development: ‘As a filling station company we try to make an adequate assessment of the local needs of our customers. We
extensively renovated our location in Zaandijk last September and added a new concept: Tony’s Coffee & More. The focus of concept is on coffee and services. We are convinced that a letter and parcel machine would fit in very well here and certainly think that this is
possible at more locations.’ De Haan and PostNL are currently examining how they can intensify this new cooperation.
Test letter and parcel machine
The letter and parcel machine consist of a postbox with two openings and several parcel safes. The machine can send and receive parcels at a moment decided by the consumers themselves. PostNL started the test with the letter and parcel machine in Almere with 15 machines at the end of 2016. Limburg and Tilburg followed in 2017. In 2018 PostNL extended the test to Breda, Amersfoort, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Geertruidenberg, Stein, Nijmegen and Zwolle. PostNL continues to extend its network on the basis of the wishes of business clients and consumers, and this also includes these machines. In the meanwhile there are 66 letter and parcel machines in the Netherlands, including the machine in Zaandijk. See postnl.nl/pba for more information.
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/news/2019