World Postal News
POSTAL NEWS
No 97-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
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1. FEDEX acquisition to “create an open, collaborative e-commerce ecosystem”.December 04, 2020.
2. Nice presents: PostNetz stresses employees and customers.December 03, 2020.3. PostNL delivers more than ten million parcels in seven days.December 02, 2020.
4. Posti set an all-time record in parcel volumes – the Christmas season got off to a brisk start on Black Friday.November 30, 2020.
5. Australia Post set for biggest delivery day in history after massive online sales weekend.November 30, 2020. |
1. FEDEX acquisition to “create an open, collaborative e-commerce ecosystem”
December04, 2020
FedEx Corp. has agreed to acquire ShopRunner, the e-commerce platform that directly connects brands and merchants with online shoppers. The parties anticipate the acquisition to close by the end of the calendar year, and it is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
ShopRunner connects more than 100 brands and merchants to millions of consumers and offers a seamless shopping experience from inspiration through delivery.
Members enjoy benefits including free two-day shipping, free returns, member-exclusive discounts, and seamless checkout. ShopRunner’s data-driven marketing and omnichannel enablement capabilities also help brands and merchants acquire high-value customers and accelerate their digital innovation by using ShopRunner’s e-commerce platform.
“The acquisition, once closed, aligns with our continued efforts to create an open, collaborative e- commerce ecosystem that helps brands and merchants deliver seamless experiences for their customers,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer, FedEx Corporation. “We are committed to growing the ShopRunner platform and combining it with our global digital and logistics intelligence to create new possibilities in e-commerce.”
Once closed, the complementary nature of ShopRunner’s pre-purchase offerings combined with FedEx post-purchase logistics intelligence will enable brands and merchants to attract and engage consumers at scale by providing innovative online shopping experiences. ShopRunner’s consumer experiences and omnichannel enablement capabilities are also anticipated to help unlock potential for FedEx as it continues to use data and technology to transform the end-to-end commerce experience.
Sam Yagan, CEO of ShopRunner, said: “In pursuit of our purpose of creating the future of retail, we have built the foundation of a cross-brand ecosystem to create a simple shopping experience for consumers and to aggregate the scale of our network for our partners’ benefit. The unparalleled reach and assets of FedEx will accelerate our existing capabilities and align with our goal of creating new products and services that advance a more open, collaborative e-commerce ecosystem.”
Headquartered in Chicago, ShopRunner will operate as a subsidiary of FedEx Services, an organization dedicated to integrating the technology and services customers need to create solutions for global supply chains, e-commerce, and today’s business challenges.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/129726/news/e-commerce
2. Nice presents: PostNetz stresses employees and customers
December 03, 2020
The Advent season is usually the best business for PostNetz. Now this time is turning into a bad trip for both employees and customers. The worst part is that this is exactly what the PostNetz management wants.
The PostNetz organization, which has been converted into its own company (as of January 1, 2021), is undergoing the largest reorganization of the last decade.
It is also in the month of the year with the highest turnover and, like the rest of the world, is struggling with a pandemic. At that very moment, the management of PostNetz decided: The overtime of all employees must be reduced.
Long queues - stressed staff
The consequences are clear: The counter staff will have to face the Christmas rush with a reduced workforce. Employees are deliberately exposed to additional stress in the midst of difficult circumstances. The newly appointed team leaders try to help out where it is most urgent; leadership and teamwork falls by the wayside. The employees were promised to shape the reorganization together. In the context of the pandemic, it is downright irresponsible that employees have to rotate between different post offices more than is absolutely necessary.
And customers who now have to stand in line during the long Advent season do so knowing that the postal service is deliberately letting them queue longer. The bad thing is that this fact plays into the hands of PostNetz's strategy. Because the damage to the Christmas business is helping to break up the post office network.
Attack on the post office network and the public
PostNetz service attacks the post office business and the universal service. The post offices are still a thorn in the side of the postal service: They cost too much. They want German conditions, where parcels can only be handed in via third-party providers, for example in grocery stores, kiosks and kebab shops. However, the Federal Council has stated in its strategic goals that it wants to maintain the network with 800 post offices. Now the requirements of the federal government are to be made virtually impossible to justify the closure of further post offices. The damage to business in the post offices is therefore not a regrettable damage for the management team at PostNetz, but has a strategy.
Artificially scarce and incorrectly counted
PostNetz does everything to keep customer transactions artificially low. The number of customer transactions is the main reason for the reduction in post offices. In addition to the natural decline, the PostNetz management has significantly reduced this number. Fewer and fewer customer transactions can be recorded at all. For example, various third-party products have been removed from the range. In addition, “apples with pears” are compared with this relevant figure: a letter is much less costly than a parcel. While the number of letters is falling, the parcel volume is growing exponentially. This is especially true in the Advent season. Regardless of the effort involved, a letter and a parcel are considered to be equivalent customer transactions.
David Roth, responsible central secretary at syndicom, demands: “The PostNetz management must order the immediate stop of the overtime reduction in order to relax the situation for the employees. The managers should be able to take care of the management work expected of them. " syndicom called for such a stop back in November. However, the management of PostNetz did not act on it.
Source : https://syndicom.ch/aktuell/artikel
3. PostNL delivers more than ten million parcels in seven days
December 02, 2020
The Hague, 2 December 2020 – With more than ten million parcels delivered in seven days, the people of PostNL are extremely busy. Together with the web shops, PostNL is making every effort to deliver the parcels to consumers on the agreed day. In the past week, the success rate was over 95%.
This year, the festive season is less predictable than in previous years. The festive season, starting from Black Friday, is usually a busy time, but this year it has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Last weekend, we saw that local measures (such as the earlier closing time of shops and requests from mayors to shop online) led to web shops and deliverers being extra busy.
Liesbeth Kaashoek, Director of Parcels & Logistics for PostNL, says: “In these busy times, the health and safety of our employees, customers and retail partners remain paramount. Because we don’t want to compromise on compliance with social distancing measures, and because the network must continue to run, we need to adjust the schedule for collecting parcels from web shops at certain peak times.
“Consumers are also asked, if possible, to hold onto their return items until after Sinterklaas (5 December). This is an exceptional situation, which requires us to take these additional measures. We are sorry to do this, but it is a necessary step to ensure the 95% success rate of delivery on the promised day. That we are able to do so in extremely busy times deserves a huge compliment for all PostNL colleagues.”
PostNL expects to deliver more than 1.5 million parcels per day over the next few days, contributing to the 5 December celebrations of Sinterklaas across the Netherlands and Belgium.
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/news/2020
4. Posti set an all-time record in parcel volumes – the Christmas season got off to a brisk start on Black Friday
November 30, 2020
Posti handled a record number of parcels last week: a total of 1.5 million parcels. The previous weekly record was set during the Christmas week last year. Posti’s Christmas season has started earlier than in the previous years and it is estimated that the record will be broken again later this year.
“The popularity of Black Friday has grown annually and has now extended to a week of discounts. There has been a sharp increase in the online shopping activity of Finns also, due to the coronavirus situation,” says Tommi Kässi, Vice President, Parcel and eCommerce at Posti.
According to Kässi, Posti’s record-breaking work last week went well.
“We have been preparing ourselves for the peak season since the start of the year. This year, we have over 500 Posti Parcel Lockers more than last year. For the Christmas season, we established a temporary network corresponding to the capacity of approximately 200 pickup points. We also hired approximately 2,500 Christmas season workers around Finland for the busiest peak season.”
The coronavirus started the parcel season in record time
Posti has delivered parcels six days a week already since October, and from this day forward until Christmas seven days a week. C2C e-commerce has also been active. The number of consumer-to-consumer parcels grew up to 50% last week when compared to the figures of the start of the year.
“Home deliveries of parcels have increased due to the coronavirus and, for example, Posti’s Parcel to the Doorstep service has proven to be popular. This is an especially safe way to receive parcels, when the customer does not have to meet the driver face to face,” says Kässi.
Domestic parcels will reach their recipients by Christmas if they are mailed by December 21. You can leave a pre-paid parcel in any Posti Parcel Locker or Posti outlet.
Receiving Christmas parcels in an environmentally-friendly manner
The emission differences between online stores and brick-and-mortar stores are mainly created in the last kilometer, i.e. on the way from the distribution center to the recipient’s home. In order to have an impact on this stage, Posti started to use renewable diesel in its vans during the summer.
The use of renewable diesel in Posti’s own fleet alone – covering approximately 40% of the parcel deliveries – means a reduction of 3.8 million annual carbon dioxide emission kilograms. This is the equivalent of removing nearly 1,300 cars from traffic. Posti’s target is a perfect zero emissions by 2030 for emissions caused by Posti’s own operations.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2020
5. Australia Post set for biggest delivery day in history after massive online sales weekend
November 30, 2020
In the midst of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, Australia Post expects today to be its biggest parcel delivery day ever, with more than three million parcels set to be delivered.
Since Friday morning, more than 3 million parcels have been delivered across the country, with our drivers working across Saturday and Sunday. Today, Australia Post expects to set a new delivery day record, with more than 3.1 million parcels expected to be delivered, eclipsing the record set last year.
The massive shopping event, which saw some retailers kick-off sales as early as last Monday, has seen Australians click into a frenzy online with eCommerce up more than 45 per cent year-on-year for the sales period.
For the month of November, Australia Post has already delivered over 40 million parcels, with an average of over two million parcels being delivered daily across our network every day this month.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Deliveries, Rod Barnes, said Australians have come to rely on online shopping this year, and have fallen in love with the convenience.
“Our people have worked incredibly hard all year, demonstrating agility and resilience to manage volumes we would traditionally have had months to prepare for,” Mr Barnes said.
“We’ve made the right investments in our network and stand ready today to set a new record - the busiest day in our 210-year history - as we head towards our biggest peak in history.
“In a challenging year, we have continued to find ways to improve our service, with more than 60 new or repurposed facilities to support additional parcel processing and retail parcel pick up locations. We also have new automation coming online right across the country in the lead up to the Christmas period to deliver for our customers.
“We’re hiring 5000 extra people to help deliver for our customers across the country, have chartered 18 freighter flights, and will have 3000 extra vehicles on the road.
“Temporary regulatory relief has enabled the upskilling of 2700 posties including 2000 now delivering in vans, so we are ready to get a record number of parcels to their destinations and spread Christmas cheer for Australians everywhere.”
Online shopping trends recently have indicated categories such as food and liquor, home and garden, variety store purchases and health and beauty have all been booming, up 72 percent from this time last year, with traditionally popular Christmas categories such as toys and games, and fashion and jewellery also tipped to fill stockings again.
Australia Post is reminding the community with more posties and drivers out delivering more parcels than ever before, to help keep them safe by looking out for them on the road and keeping dogs secured if they are expecting a delivery.
Source : https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/article
POSTAL NEWS
No 98-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
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1. SingPost trial to “fundamentally transform the letterbox infrastructure”.December 03, 2020.
2. Cainiao partners with Ethiopian to launch pharma serviceDecember 03, 2020.
3. Royal Mail trials hydrogen-powered van. December 01, 2020.4. Struggling App Workers Fear Being Made to Pay for Delivery Fee Cap. November 30 2020.
5. bpost group continues expansion in the Netherlands with future-proof Active Ants e-fulfilment centre. November 30, 2020. |
1. SingPost trial to “fundamentally transform the letterbox infrastructure”
December 03, 2020
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) has launched a one-year public trial of PostPal, the company’s next-generation smart letterboxes, from December 2020.
Residents of block 202 Clementi Avenue 6 will be the first to experience the convenience, security and accessibility offered by PostPal from 18 December 2020, with those in block 205 joining them in the following weeks. Located at the void decks of both blocks, PostPal is a significant upgrade from the traditional letterboxes in terms of functionality as well as aesthetics.
Its key features include:
1. Customizable: Storage modules within PostPal can be easily adjusted to the mail profile of individual residential blocks. For example, smaller modules can be replaced with larger ones that can hold larger postal packages if the block sees consistently high eCommerce volumes, or during the year-end online sale peak season.
2. Keyless, convenient and safe: Residents will be able to retrieve their mail by scanning a unique QR code dynamically generated by the SingPost app at their PostPal. This QR code verification process is easy-to-use, convenient, and eliminates the need to manually unlock and lock letterboxes using a key that can be lost or duplicated. Residents can also use the app to authorise trusted individuals to collect mail on their behalf.
3. Mail receipt notifications: Residents using the SingPost app will no longer need to periodically “blind-check” their letterboxes, as they will receive mobile notifications whenever mail addressed to their residence is deposited within their PostPal. The app will also be able to check the exact number of mail items pending collection at any point in time.
4. Auto-sorting: Each PostPal is equipped with an auto-sorting machine capable of accurately arranging and storing mail for individual residences. This greatly minimises misdeliveries due to human error while significantly relieving the postman’s daily burden.
“The PostPal trial has the potential to fundamentally transform and refresh the HDB letterbox infrastructure from a simple, letter-oriented lock-and-key structure to a cutting-edge digital system with capabilities beyond mail delivery, while significantly alleviating labour constraints” said Mr Vincent Phang, CEO of Postal Services and Singapore, SingPost.
“Through its myriad functions, PostPal is SingPost’s first step into our Future of Post vision, which aims to revolutionise not just the logistics sector, but also retail and even community services as well. SingPost would like to thank all involved parties for making this possible.”
The proprietary automation solution is co-developed by SingPost and PBA Group (PBA Robotics), a regional Robotics and Automation leader headquartered in Singapore. Pisces Technologies, a homegrown SME specialising in systems automation, and a subsidiary of PBA Robotics, had been working closely with SingPost to rigorously develop and build the latest public trial prototype of PostPal.
The collaboration showcases two Singapore companies joining forces for tech transformation. SingPost brought its expertise and know-how of processes and operations for mailing and parcel distribution, while PBA Robotics provided the automation capabilities and technology.
“PBA Robotics shares a common goal with SingPost – which is to realise the transformative potential of smart letterbox to improve lives in urban Singapore, making robotics tech accessible to the masses”, said Mr Derrick Yap, CEO of PBA Robotics.
“We are proud to bring our robotics capabilities to the table and jointly develop this revolutionary solution with SingPost. We believe that this solution is a game-changer.”
To introduce residents to PostPal, SingPost staff will be on-site at the void deck of block 202 on weekdays (12 noon to 8pm) and weekends (9am to 9pm) from 11 December 2020.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/129697/news/e-commerce
2. Cainiao partners with Ethiopian to launch pharma service
December 03, 2020
Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics division of Alibaba Group, has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines to launch an airfreight pharma service that will transport temperature-controlled medicines from Shenzhen Airport.
The move comes as the world gears up for widespread distribution of coronavirus vaccines.
IATA Pharma-certified Shenzhen Airport is China’s first medical cross-border cold chain facility.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian’s 54,000 sq m Pharma Wing, located at its cargo terminal, has compartmentalised cold storage facilities that can hold goods between temperatures of -23℃ and 25℃.
It also has cool dollies, a dedicated pharma team and a temperature monitoring system that gives updates in real time.
The Cainiao-Ethiopian partnership will see temperature-controlled medicines, including Covid-19 vaccines, distributed twice a week from Shenzhen Airport to Africa, and to the rest of the world via Dubai and Addis Ababa.
James Zhao, general manager at Cainiao International Supply Chain, explained: “Cainiao’s global logistics network spans over 200 countries and regions, providing end-to-end integrated logistics services, including digital customs clearance capabilities.
“The launch of the cold chain airfreight [service] has further bolstered our global logistics capabilities and allows us to offer a one-stop solution for the global distribution of medical products such as the Covid-19 vaccines.”
Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Group chief executive, added: “Ethiopian Airlines will repeat its remarkable and globally recognised success of leading the fast delivery of PPE few months ago with similar delivery speed, professional handling and maintaining of the cold chain during the forthcoming global distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine.
“In anticipation of the Covid-19 vaccine release, we will be at the forefront to further discharge our responsibility in the distribution of the vaccine across the globe.”
Source : https://www.aircargonews.net/sectors/pharma-logistic
3. Royal Mail trials hydrogen-powered van
December 01, 2020
The UK’s Royal Mail has begun trialing a dual-fuel delivery van, which runs on both hydrogen and diesel. According to the post, this is a preliminary trial to determine if hydrogen is operationally suitable within its fleet. If workable, it says the results will be considered in future strategy developments for the company.
The 3.5 metric ton vehicle can travel up to 193km in dual-fuel mode and is intended to be refueled close to the delivery office. The trial will be conducted on delivery rounds in Altens, Aberdeen, for a 12-month period.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles were originally tested by Royal Mail in 2010. As technology in this space has evolved considerably over the past decade, the company says it is keen to understand how hydrogen can operate within its fleet, particularly for larger vehicles and longer routes, where electricity may not be a viable alternative fuel.
James Baker, chief engineer and fleet director at Royal Mail, remarked, “As a company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact. Hydrogen is viewed by many as a vital source of future sustainable energy; so, as such, it is a perfect addition to our program of initiatives that enable us to assess ways of achieving this, while allowing us to continue to deliver letters and parcels safely, efficiently and responsibly.”
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/sustainability
4. Struggling App Workers Fear Being Made to Pay for Delivery Fee Cap
November 30 2020
OTTAWA – The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and app-based delivery workers have grave concerns about Ontario’s Supporting Local Restaurants Act, which aims to limit fees charged by third-party food delivery operations, like Uber Eats and DoorDash. While the Act may help small businesses, it provides little protection to couriers making the deliveries, whose wages may be threatened as companies look for ways to make up the lost revenue from the capped fees.
“The couriers we work with are already shortchanged by their app-based employers,” says Jan Simpson, CUPW National President. “We're worried that the employers will pass the cost onto the workers, who have little to no transparency about their pay rates as it is.”
The Bill, intended to ease the burden on small business where indoor dining is impossible due to pandemic restrictions, was introduced at Queen's Park on Thursday November 26. Delivery apps charge restaurants, already hurting for business, up to thirty percent for delivery service. The Premier has asked the apps in the past to reduce their fees, and not having seen results, is moving ahead with legislation.
The legislation, in writing, prohibits delivery companies from passing the financial impact of the cap onto their workers, but little is said about how the province plans to enforce this. The Bill provides a complaints-based mechanism to the Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction for workers who think their employer is cutting their compensation, but it doesn't offer real labour protections.
A complaints process is of little use to couriers who are already intimidated or have reason to fear losing their income through cut hours or simply being deleted from the app. Instead of addressing the underlying imbalance of gig workers being misclassified as ‘independent contractors’, the onus of asserting what should be basic labour rights is once again put on couriers’ shoulders.
It's been clear with recent examples, that the apps are free to change their pay structure unilaterally, and without transparency.
“Workers often have no idea how their pay is calculated and rates can vary wildly from hour to hour, says Brice Sopher, a courier in Toronto. “Expecting gig workers to conclusively prove they've had their pay cut through some nebulous complaints process essentially allows companies like Doordash, SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats to slash pay for couriers with very little risk of any repercussions."
“The apps' business model has always exploited both small businesses and couriers,” says Simpson. “This Bill is not enough to make them change their ways. How are workers to know, let alone prove to the government, that they're paying for the fee cap to protect silicon-valley profits? The burden falls on the wrong people. We demand protection for these workers.”
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en/
5. bpost group continues expansion in the Netherlands with future-proof Active Ants e-fulfilment centre
November 30, 2020
bpost group subsidiary Active Ants has moved into a new-build fulfilment centre in Roosendaal, where people and robots work alongside each other in a highly efficient setup. Thousands of shipments are prepared at the state-of-the-art facility for online stores. Active Ants will also open a branch in Belgium in 2021, as bpost group continues to expand its e-commerce logistics services in Belgium and beyond.
“Storage, picking and sorting are all fully automated. Employees form an efficient team with robots for the order picking. The return flow and the receipt of goods continue to be processed manually,” says Jeroen Dekker, managing partner at Active Ants. “This mechanisation leads to greater efficiency, high quality and a pleasant work environment for our employees. The setup is unique in the world.”
People and robots in union
65 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) bring empty boxes to the employees, who fill them with the goods brought by other robots. The AMRs then transport the boxes to the packaging machines, where they are sealed and weighed. The boxes are made as small as possible to minimise filling and empty air. A shipping label is also attached. The AMRs then sort the sealed boxes by shipper.
Around 40 robots are tasked with picking goods from the storage bins and bringing them to employees. This goods-to-person system is carefully designed to have a very small footprint. The system stores up to six times more goods per square metre and the robots generate their own energy, minimising the use of mains power.
Environmentally friendly, with the human touch
A box sealing machine with integrated printer has been specially designed for Active Ants. This means that personalised printed boxes can be made for every customer. “This unique functionality allows us to create personalised packaging for not just large but now also for small online stores,” says Jean Lahaye, managing partner at Active Ants. “There is no longer any need to keep hundreds of pallets of preprinted boxes. That cuts customer costs and further shrinks the footprint,” Lahaye says.
E-commerce logistics a driver of growth at bpost group
As its subsidiaries continue to grow, bpost is increasingly active in e-commerce logistics worldwide. This enables the company to expand around the globe, while also remaining one of Belgium’s biggest employers.
The opening of the new facility in Roosendaal brings the total number of bpost group fulfilment centres in Europe up to eight. There are two Active Ants sites in the Netherlands and Radial has six facilities in Europe: one each in the Netherlands, the UK, Italy and Poland, and two in Germany. They form a network of centres close to customers, bpost group’s response to the increasing demand for logistics services from e-commerce companies.
Active Ants expanding into Belgium and Germany in 2021
bpost is committed to remaining the leading e-commerce logistics provider in Belgium and helping drive the growth of Belgian online stores of all stripes with a wide range of solutions. Active Ants will launch operations at an existing site in Boom, located between Antwerp and Mechelen, in the spring of 2021.
“I’m proud of this new step in our e-commerce logistics activities in the Netherlands,” says Jean-Paul Van Avermaet, CEO of bpost group. “This shows not only that we are transforming our business in the right way to respond to the changing needs of our customers, but also that we have the courage to deploy state-of-the-art technology and innovation on the market to make our mark worldwide. I wish the colleagues at Active Ants huge success in this new step an look forward to the opening in Belgium.”
POSTAL NEWS
No 99-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
1. Poste Italiane "leader" in the fight against climate change according to the international organization CDP.December 10, 2020.2. Swiss Post sees record Black Friday parcel numbers.December 09, 2020.
3. Amazon Logistics chosen to run City of London’s first last mile logistics hub.December 09, 2020.
4. CLA PostNL vote and signing. December 08, 2020.
5. Australia Post responds after eParcel website updates with message saying 'we are smoking meth'.December 05, 2020. |
1. Poste Italiane "leader" in the fight against climate change according to the international organization CDP
December 10, 2020
The Group led by Matteo Del Fante has been included in the "Leadership" band of the annual ranking drawn up by the independent non-profit organization.
Poste Italiane confirms its role as a world leader also in the fight against climate change. In fact, the company is in the "Leadership" category with an A- rating in the annual ranking drawn up by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), the independent non-profit organization specialized in environmental reporting and evaluation of performance and climate strategies adopted by companies. The result was obtained by Poste Italiane at its first participation in CDP's Climate Change questionnaire (in which over 9,600 companies worldwide took part this year) and makes the company increasingly attractive to investors who focus on environmental sustainability strategies.
The A- score, on a scale from D- to A, is higher than the European regional average and the average of the intermodal transport and logistics sector. CDP adopts a very detailed methodology that assesses the accuracy of the data provided, the awareness gained on the issue, the evidence of progress made towards the fight against climate change and the objectives and targets defined in the strategy.
The result is of considerable importance in light of CDP's authority, which provides companies, local authorities, governments and investors with a global benchmark environmental measurement and reporting system. In 2020, 515 investors with $106 trillion in assets asked thousands of companies to participate in CDP's assessment questionnaires.
In particular, the Climate
Change questionnaire required to Poste Italiane assessed the company's ability
to report emissions and initiatives introduced to reduce its environmental
impact and to adopt appropriate solutions for strategic planning and management
of climate-related risks and opportunities across the entire value chain.
Poste Italiane has proven to fully grasp the
extent of the effects that climate change risks and opportunities can have on
the organization. The Group has provided its data in a very consistent and
comprehensive manner both on the various types of emissions generated by the
organization and on ongoing emission reduction initiatives.
“The recognition of Poste Italiane's leadership position in tackling climate change is further proof of the Company's commitment in recent years - commented Company’s CEO Matteo Del Fante - The integration of sustainability at all levels of the company, with the aim of creating shared value for the country and for our stakeholders, is reflected in this success achieved thanks to a strategy that considers environmental issues in a concrete and effective way in carrying out business activities throughout the country”.
“The assessment obtained by CDP, the most authoritative international observatory on the effectiveness of corporate strategies in the fight against climate change - commented Giuseppe Lasco, Poste Italiane’s Deputy General Manager- shows the goodness of the work done in recent years, and rewards the path of sustainability undertaken through a constant commitment to the proper management of risks and opportunities related to environmental issues. Once again Poste Italiane demonstrates transparency and responsibility in tracking progress towards a future of sustainable growth”.
A comment on the results achieved by Poste Italiane also came from Maxfield Weiss, Director Corporate Engagement CDP Europe: “European companies will be instrumental in overcoming our environmental crises and meeting the EU's ambition to be climate neutral by 2050. Being transparent around environmental impacts and actions is a fundamental part of this.
Poste Italiane is among a fast-growing number of European disclosing to CDP annually – by doing so uncovering environmental risks and opportunities, improving their competitiveness and resilience, and tracking their progress toward sound environmental management. Now I look forward to seeing them put in place more ambitious environmental action and continue their journey towards comprehensive environmental stewardship".
The rating obtained by CDP is in addition to the results achieved by Poste Italiane with the entry in the main sustainability indices of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, FTSE4Good, Integrated Governance Index, Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, the "A" rating obtained by MSCI and the award of the “Oscar di Bilancio 2020”, confirming a path that aims at the constant integration of sustainability principles in business strategies.
Following the annual assessment carried out by the prestigious rating agency Vigeo Eiris, Poste Italiane also confirms the third place at European level in the ESG performance evaluation within the "Transports and Logistics" sector and the 47th worldwide. The assessment consolidates Poste Italiane's presence in the Euronext Vigeo-Eiris World 120 index and in the regional Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 and Europe 120 indexes.
Source : https://www.posteitaliane.it/en/press-releases
2. Swiss Post sees record Black Friday parcel numbers
December 09, 2020
Swiss Post says that during the Black Friday week from November 23 up to and including December 1, its sorted 7.3 million parcels across its different centers, a 24% increase on 2019. On average, its mail carriers delivered more than 900,000 parcels every day, and in the days immediately after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this figure was over one million.
“We’re very proud of our employees and their exceptional performance,” emphasized Stefan Luginbühl, head of parcels national/international. According to the post, its sorting machines were running for 22 hours a day and staff worked in special shifts, including on Saturdays. “We managed to avoid any breakdowns and technical problems,” noted Luginbühl.
Unlike during the lockdown period in the spring, Swiss Post was able to prepare for the high parcel volumes, plan accordingly and take a number of measures to cope with the record volumes. One such measure was the processing of smaller parcels in the letter centers – totaling up to 150,000 items a day.
This meant parcel post and letter post were working hand in hand, with mail carriers delivering parcels as well as letters. “That really helps us and eases our workload considerably,” stated Ruedi Henke, head of distribution and transport.
The post said that its regional parcel centers in Vétroz and Untervaz, newly opened in September and November respectively, passed their first endurance with flying colors and eased the burden on its large parcel centers in Daillens, Härkingen, Frauenfeld and Urdorf.
However, the post is planning further expansion, and by 2030 it hopes to open other parcel centers – likely to be situated around the major conurbations such as Basel, Bern and Zurich.
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/delivery
3. Amazon Logistics chosen to run City of London’s first last mile logistics hub
December 09, 2020
Amazon Logistics has been chosen to run the City Of London Council’s first last mile logistics hub.
It was selected as preferred operator from a shortlist of 10 to run a hub to be located at the London Wall Car Park near the Barbican in the centre of the capital.
The City of London planning and transport committee are set to agree with recommendations for the repurposing of 39 spaces in London Wall Car Park for their use as a last mile logistics hub to be operated by Amazon Logistics on Tuesday 15th December.
In 2018 the City of London adopted a 25-year transport strategy targets to deliver three last mile logistics hubs by 2022 and a further two by 2025.
The draft City Plan 2036 states that under-utilised spaces in car parks should be considered as a priority for use as last mile logistics hubs to support this ambition.. Last mile logistics hubs facilitate deliveries by cargo cycles and pedestrian porters, removing large numbers of delivery vehicles from City streets.
Of the City owned public car parks, London Wall Car Park has comparatively good access when considering the low height restrictions. Parcels into the site would be loaded from the service road that adjoins the main entrance to the car park. From the hub, the operator would deliver parcels to customers using pedestrian porters and cargo cycles. The hub would allow the operator to complete all deliveries within a 2km radius without the need for motorised freight vehicles.
This radius covers the whole of the City of London as well as other parts of central London. The hub would take up to 85 vehicles off the roads each day, which is the equivalent of up to 23,000 vehicle journeys taken off the roads of central London each year.
In the report to the committee published ahead of the meeting it said: “The hub would generate income from a presently under-utilised asset.”
Source : https://www.logisticsmanager.com/
4. CLA PostNL vote and signing
December 08, 2020
On November 18, we informed you about the agreement in principle for a new collective labor agreement PostNL and Saturday deliverers. The new CLA has a term of 24 months, starting on April 1, 2020 until April 1, 2022.
Voting result
We submitted this agreement to our members with positive advice and asked everyone to vote. The vote was open until December 7, 2020. The votes have now been counted and 90% have voted in favor of the agreement in principle!
Many members voted and this is the highest number of votes in favor we have ever achieved!
Paul Siemelink, BVPP negotiator: “I am pleased with the results and the great confidence that the members have in the new agreement. Negotiation is always a matter of weighing up the pros and cons. Given the current situation in the corona crisis, this is a good result, especially if you compare it to the collective labor agreements that have been concluded in the recent period. In the following negotiations, there will be new opportunities for other matters that we want to lay down in the collective labor agreement in 2 years' time. ”
Signing and payment
Today the representatives of the BVPP, among others, signed the collective labor agreement with PostNL. At the time of signing, Post NL has promised that all salary increases in 2020 that have been agreed and the one-off payment will be paid this year along with the salary in December.
Source : https://bvpp.nl/sectors/overige/nieuws
5. Australia Post responds after eParcel website updates with message saying 'we are smoking meth'
December 05, 2020
Australia Post has responded after customers were met with an “offensive” update on the postal service’s official website.
On Saturday morning, under the banner that reads “latest news” was a post about “smoking meth”.
Where news updates on delivery services would usually be was instead the message: “We are smoking meth.”
It remained active on the website for at least an hour before being removed.
Australia Post has since responded, telling 7NEWS.com.au it was not authorised by anyone on their end.
“We apologise to our customers for the unauthorised offensive post,” a spokesperson said.
“The offending message has been removed and we have disabled the account that posted it.”
In the brief time it was online, however, it gained plenty of traction online.
Keen-eyed customers spotted the miscue and shared it to Facebook.
“Someone is giving AP some payback. I spat my coffee all over my keyboard!” the first customer wrote.
“OMG get your act together Aus Post,” one said, to which another replied: “Well at least that explains [it].”
After being removed, under “latest news” is now the help and support hotline hours and frequently asked questions.
Source : https://7news.com.au/business/australia-post
POSTAL NEWS
No 100-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
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1. Alibaba to expand its network of Cainiao-certified 3PL partners.December 10, 2020.
2. Parcel lockers cooperation in Lithuania.December 09, 2020.
3. Post Nord signs deal with Europcar Mobility Group and Mercedes-Benz for e-van rentals. December 08, 2020.4. Posti has already broken last week’s parcel record – Christmas shopping ordered online this year.December 08, 2020.
5. Now move forward with wages!December 07, 2020. |
1. Alibaba to expand its network of Cainiao-certified 3PL partners
December 10, 2020
Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group Holdings Limited, today announced the launch of its 2021 open tender for logistics services to strengthen its global logistics network.
Valued at RMB 500 million, the global open tender encompasses all key markets including North Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Middle East, ANZ and the US. The deadline for submission is 15 December 2020.
The open tender is segmented into B2C and B2B logistics services, and will also be used to expand its network of Cainiao-certified third-party logistics (3PL) partners.
In the B2C area, Cainiao will be curating a list of Cainiao-certified 3PL partners to provide full suite end-to-end logistics services for merchants, spanning overseas parcel collection, international line-haul, import customs clearance and last mile delivery. It is also looking to select partners for its global fulfillment warehouse network to support overseas warehouse management (storage and inventory management), quality inspection, picking and packing; global consolidation warehouse network for consolidation of B2C parcels. The goal is to reinforce resources across the entire value chain to deliver greater stability and efficiency to support cross-border eCommerce businesses for both Alibaba (Taobao, Tmall and Kaola) and non-Alibaba merchants.
In the B2B area, Cainiao will be strengthening its warehouse and trucking network to support businesses’ import and export needs. These overseas warehouses will have to be located near to ports to facilitate efficient transportation and are able to provide services for pre-stocking, storage and serve as a container freight station (CFS).
Partners supporting the trucking network will also have to be well-equipped with resources such as lorries and container trucks to handle transportation of goods between warehouses and to ports.
As a digital logistics platform, Cainiao adopts a collaborative approach by integrating existing industry logistics resources and empowers connected partners with an innovative and open data platform which improves efficiency along the entire value chain. Today, it has over 3,000 logistics partners and three million courier personnel on its platform.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/129899/news/parcel
2. Parcel lockers cooperation in Lithuania
December 09, 2020
Booming parcel volumes have brought Lithuanian postal operator Lietuvos Paštas and international parcel service Venipak together.
Under a new partnership agreement, Venipak parcels will also be delivered to 260 LP EXPRESS parcel lockers.
At the end of November, Lithuanian Post recorded a record number of parcels - up as much as 1.5 times compared to last year. Venipak and Lithuanian Post predict that the number of shipments could still double by the end of the year.
“We believe that this partnership will help customers to guarantee one of the most convenient parcel collection networks in Lithuania.” - Justas Šablinskas, CEO of Venipak.
With this partnership, Venipak will be able to offer its customers over 450 parcel collection points across Lithuania.
“This is a good move by both Venipak, who need to move to a more B2C,customer centric model and cannot do this without lockers, and for Lithuanian Post who need volumes to build further density of APMs. I am particularly impressed by the Post’s understanding that an open model is the right way forward. This will be efficient and ecological. Well done Asta and team!” - Marek Różycki, Managing Partner, Last Mile Experts.
Source : http://www.thepostalhub.com/blog
3. Post Nord signs deal with Europcar Mobility Group and Mercedes-Benz for e-van rentals
December 08, 2020
Europcar Mobility Group, through its Vans & Trucks Business Unit, has signed an innovative business partnership in Denmark with Post Nord and Mercedes-Benz based on a long-term rental solution tailored around the needs of Post Nord.
The partnership will see Mercedes-Benz provide a fleet of 25 e-vans that Europcar Mobility Group Denmark will manage, providing full fleet support, including replacement vehicles, maintenance, repairs, peak fleet provision, as well as vehicle connectivity and data management.
The 25 new Mercedes-Benz eSprinters L2H2 11m3 vans will enable Post Nord to reduce CO2 emissions by 105 tons per year, in line with its CO2 neutrality by 2030 objective.
Yvonne Leuschner, Europcar Mobility Group Vans & Trucks business unit director, said, “I would like to thank Post Nord for choosing us as their partner in the deployment and management of their electric fleet, as well as Mercedes-Benz for their close cooperation and support in designing this offer. Without forgetting, of course, the Vans & Trucks Danish teams, who, under the leadership of Jesper Rasmussen, tailored this innovative and fully integrated offer around the needs of Post Nord.
“Being able to engineer such solutions, which leverage technology through vehicle connectivity and data, fleet management and quality of service, makes us very optimistic for 2021, which we envisage with renewed ambitions, sticking to our daily commitment to playing a key role in our customers’ value chain.
“In 2021, we intend to push even stronger, opening new supersites in Germany and Spain, building on the key assets that are our network and the expertise, as well as the strong commitment and dedication to customers, of our entire staff.”
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/vehicles-fleet
4. Posti has already broken last week’s parcel record – Christmas shopping ordered online this year
December 08, 2020
Last week, Posti set another record in parcel volumes: a total of 1.9 million parcels in a week. The previous record, 1.5 million parcels, was set the week before.
Due to the coronavirus, Christmas shopping has been increasingly carried out online. Just before Black Friday, new coronavirus restrictions entered into force, boosting online shopping even more. According to Posti’s latest survey, more than 2.5 million Finns are planning to buy their Christmas presents online this year. In addition to the online shopping, C2C commerce has also broken records. Last week, the number of consumer-to-consumer parcels increased by up to 70% when compared to the beginning of the year.
“I would like to thank all the customers who have picked up their parcels quickly. When items are picked up quickly, there is more space for the incoming items, and everybody can get their parcels quicker. Some deliveries may be temporarily delayed, and we hope that our customers can bear with us if a delivery takes a little bit longer than normal,” says Tommi Kässi, Vice President, Parcel and eCommerce, Posti.
According to Posti's tracking, parcels are picked up the fastest in the following locations: Hailuoto, Tervo, Sonkajärvi, Salla and Reisjärvi. If there is no room for the item in the original pickup location, it will be forwarded to the closest possible pickup location.
During the peak season, Posti Parcel Lockers are filled more often and many of them are now filled several times a day.
We’ve been preparing for this peak season with several measures, for example, by establishing a temporary network corresponding to the capacity of approximately 200 pickup points, adopting 7-day delivery and by innovating new solutions, such as leaving the parcel at the recipient’s doorstep as a COVID safety measure. The number of temporary pickup points is constantly increasing, and new pickup points are being established as required during the peak season. Some 2,500 new seasonal employees have also been hired for the peak season.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2020
5. Now move forward with wages!
December 07, 2020
With applause from the balconies, neither rent nor health insurance premiums can be paid. Now move forward with wages!
The coronavirus has turned the world of work and society upside down. The employees worked under high pressure to ensure basic services. So also in logistics, telecommunications and in the media. Now it is up to employers to ensure that expressions of sympathy are followed by tangible deeds. It is now important to move forward with wages. The syndicom union has therefore put together a dossier with wage demands for 2021.
The great commitment of the employees during the entire coronavirus crisis has so far only been rewarded with clapping for systemically relevant professions and expressions of sympathy on the street and online. This public recognition is nice, but not enough. For syndicom one thing is clear: it must not be the case that employees pay the price for this crisis. In numerous sectors of basic care, low starting wages are the order of the day, which has a negative effect on the attractiveness of these professions; In many places work is paid too low and there is still gender pay inequality. That is why progress in the wage round of 2021 is imperative.
No lockdown without logisticians
In logistics in particular, wages that are barely enough to survive are widespread. The minimum wage of the Federal Postal Commission (PostCom) is 18.27 francs, threatening the existence of the country and therefore clearly too low. In addition, the work is often characterized by long periods of use and physical strain. The employees in this industry all fulfill system-relevant functions. They all deserve a raise for their special duties during the crisis. syndicom is demanding 100 francs more monthly wages for postal workers.
There is no network without ICT employees
The employees in companies in the ICT industries play an important role during the coronavirus crisis: They provide services that enable the population, for example, to work from home and attend distance learning, as well as to keep the company going. The employees deserve to see their wages moving forward when the next round of wages is due. For the 2020/2021 wage round, syndicom is therefore calling for a wage increase of up to 0.8% for all employees.
There is no flow of information without media workers
The wages of media workers must finally go up, especially in the private media. For 15 years the wages of permanent employees have stagnated and the fees of freelance journalists have even deteriorated. In the pandemic in particular, the value of good journalism and independent media is more valued again. Now wages and fees must follow suit with a general wage increase of 2% and a catch-up program in the wages of women and young media professionals. Even in the book trade, which does have automatic inflation adjustment based on minimum wages, there has been no collective increase in real wages for 13 years. With a median wage of 4,265 francs, this year's wage losses caused by short-time work of an average of 3 percent are particularly drastic. Nevertheless, booksellers were again denied a real wage increase for 2021. They demand that the additional wage level of 4,400 francs per month for employees in the eighth year after training, provided for in the suspended collective bargaining negotiations at the joint commission level, is introduced quickly.
Source : https://syndicom.ch/aktuell/artikel