World Postal News
POSTAL NEWS
No 101-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
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1. CitySprint commits to its growth strategy with new appointments.December 17, 2020.
2. Express Post an early gift for late Christmas shoppers. December 16, 2020.
3. Posti’s tips for consumers: With the United Kingdom due to leave the EU on January 1, 2021, otherwise knows as Brexit, what should you take into account with regard to sending and receiving letters and parcels containing goods? December 15, 2020.
4. Pósturinn, parcels, and lockers: Iceland Post's need for capacity.December 14, 2020.
5. CWU will do “everything possible” to protect members after unprovoked assault on postal worker in Bangor.December 11, 2020. |
1. CitySprint commits to its growth strategy with new appointments
December 17, 2020
UK same day delivery company CitySprint – has strengthened its management team with the announcement of two new positions within the business. The promotion of Mark Footman to Chief Operating Officer and appointment of Sarah Gibbs as CitySprint’s first People Director, has bolstered its senior leadership team as it continues its significant growth agenda.
In her new role, Gibbs will be responsible for driving CitySprint’s people strategy and experience to support this growth. The new role highlights CitySprint’s ongoing investment in its people as part of its growth strategy.
Meanwhile, Footman is tasked with directly managing end-to-end operations, fleet and property, to ensure that high service levels are maintained, and the core values of the company are delivered in the 30+ service centres across its UK network. His promotion from Operations Director follows an impressive 9 months within the organisation which has seen further operational improvement despite the challenges posed from COVID.
Both Gibbs and Footman join Darren Taylor, Rosie Bailey, David Williams and Mike Timlett on the Operating Board to drive profitable growth within the company. This diverse mix of long standing CitySprint knowledge and experience of delivering growth provides the right balance to execute the next phase of CitySprint’s growth strategy.
Commenting on the appointments Gary West, CEO at CitySprint, said: “I am extremely proud of the changes we have made across our business over the last twelve months, as we adapted rapidly to meet the changing needs of our customers, during what has been an extraordinary year of demand for our services. It is vital that we have the right people on board to drive us forward, particularly as we look towards 2021. Both Sarah and Mark have proven skills and diverse experience in the sector and will be invaluable assets to our team.”
Sarah Gibbs joins CitySprint with over twenty years’ experience in multi sector, strategic and operational environments. Sarah has held senior positions at National Car Parks Limited, Majestic Wine and Yodel where she has successfully supported the strategic development of the company through their people agenda.
Commenting on her appointment, Sarah Gibbs said: “I’m delighted to be joining an organisation that leads the field in its sector and works with such a varied mix of customers. I cannot wait to see what possibilities lie ahead – not just for me personally, but for CitySprint as a business. I’m excited to be supporting the growth of our talented team, in a company that’s firmly dedicated to driving excellence in its people operations.”
Mark joined CitySprint in March 2020 with over 30 years’ experience across multiple sectors, previously having held board and executive level positions with a remit for Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics, Property and Store Development and has extensive experience in managing large scale change programmes in small and large companies.
Commenting on his promotion, Mark Footman said: “After nine months in the business, I know first-hand how much work has been put in to consistently deliver high performance in this unprecedented year. Everyone at CitySprint is working hard to provide customers, both large and small in all kinds of industries and sectors with a seamless, top-tier service.”
As the UK’s largest privately-owned same day distribution company, CitySprint provides an extensive portfolio of delivery services including same day and international deliveries. With a regional network of 30+ service centres across the UK serviced by a fleet of over 5,000 vehicles, CitySprint is able to reach over 88% of mainland UK within 60 minutes.
It works directly with individuals to handle their delivery needs, as well as businesses in every part of the economy, and the breadth of organisations across the public sector. Its long-established specialist healthcare business is helping support the national effort to contain coronavirus through the secure delivery of testing kits and samples, as well as the movement of essential healthcare supplies and PPE.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/130327/news/e-commerce
2. Express Post an early gift for late Christmas shoppers
December 16, 2020
Last minute gift givers have still got four days left to send presents to their loved ones in time for Christmas Day, with Saturday 19 December being the recommended last posting date for parcels sent within Australia Post’s Express Post network.
In the week leading up to Christmas Australia Post is expecting to deliver over 12 million parcels as Aussies continue to shop up a storm online, with online purchases up more than 42 per cent in the first week of December.
The last-minute surge in online shopping comes off the back of a record-breaking November with almost a third of shoppers buying more than once online over the month.
Australia Post Executive General Manager Deliveries Rod Barnes said with Christmas less than 10 days away, Express Post was the best option for last minute shoppers to spread the merry.
“This is the biggest Christmas we’ll deliver in our history and after such a challenging year, we want to make sure it’s a great one,” said Mr Barnes.
“The recommended posting date for Parcel Post was last Saturday 12 December so, for anyone still looking for that perfect gift, posting it by Express Post no later than this Saturday, 19 December will give it the best chance of it being under the tree on Christmas Day – just check that your delivery address is covered first.
“We know many people have shopped early but there are those who will leave it to the last minute, and we’re better prepared than ever before to make sure we can get every parcel sent by these dates delivered by Christmas.
“We’ve got more vehicles on the road delivering on the weekend and completing twilight deliveries up until 8pm when and where we need to, right up until Christmas Eve.
“It’s important customers know that parcels sent after Saturday will still be delivered as quickly as possible, but they may not arrive until after Christmas,” Mr Barnes concluded.
The lifting of border restrictions has allowed Australia Post to access additional space on domestic flights with a forecast of around two million kilos expected to be flown around the country in the week leading up to Christmas.
Australia Post is also offering extended trading hours at more than 500 locations, operating an additional 60 new and repurposed facilities, flying 18 dedicated freighters and has brought on 5000 extra people to help get a record numbers of parcels to their destinations. It has also upskilled 2700 posties including 2000 now delivering in vans.
To ensure all Australians have a safe and happy Christmas, Australia Post is also reminding the community that 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 while backing out of driveways, and to keep dogs secured if they are expecting a delivery.
Customers are advised to check the parcel’s origin and destination are within the Express Post network before sending. Cut off times are displayed locally at each Post Office or yellow Posting Box within the Express Post network.
Australia Post’s Express Post network covers 80 per cent of Australian business addresses, private addresses and Post Office Boxes. For further information and current delivery times, visit auspost.com.au/Christmas.
Source : https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/article
3. Posti’s tips for consumers: With the United Kingdom due to leave the EU on January 1, 2021, otherwise knows as Brexit, what should you take into account with regard to sending and receiving letters and parcels containing goods?
December 15,2020
From January 1, 2021, the UK will no longer be part of the EU’s customs tax treaty applicable to trading. When it comes to the UK, the procedure will follow that of countries such as China or Russia, which are not part of the EU. The change will have an effect on how letters and parcels containing goods are sent and received, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it in advance.
Consumer, please take these tips into account when sending or receiving goods from January 1, 2021 onward
Goods items between Finland and the UK must be cleared through customs.
· You can find further information and instructions on the Finnish Customs’ website
· The letter and parcel items that must be cleared include Postal Parcels, international Express Parcels and international letter items containing goods.
· Please note that gifts between private persons may also need to be cleared.
· Normal letters which do not contain goods do not need to be cleared.
When sending goods to the UK from January 1, 2021 onward:
Use the customs declaration CN22 or CN23 to report the content of the goods item both electronically and on the item.
Declare the content of the letter item at www.posti.fi/tullaustiedot and then attach the CN22 customs clearance to the item as a printout or a label. The printout or label must be signed and dated.
Declare the content of the parcel when sending it either at posti.fi or in OmaPosti.
Required item information:
· Full name and address information of the sender and recipient
· Content information:
· An accurate description and quantity of the goods in English, e.g., ‘men’s cotton shirt, 2 pcs’
· The weight of each item in kg, for example, the above-mentioned shirts, a total of 0.45 kg
· The value and currency of each good, e.g., EUR 48.60
· The total weight of the item
· The total value and currency of the item.
If the value of the contents of the letter or parcel exceeds SDR 300 (about EUR 350), also attach a CN23 customs declaration in accordance with the instructions of the destination country. If necessary, you can print out a CN23 customs declaration on the Posti website or pick up a declaration at a Posti outlet.
Incomplete information about contents may delay the handling of items in the country of destination and thereby extend the item’s delivery time.
When receiving goods from the UK from January 1, 2021 onward:
Goods items arriving in Finland from the UK are subject to an inward clearance
· Items containing goods with a value in excess of EUR 22 or which are gifts will be cleared through customs.
· Complete the inward clearance and, if necessary, pay Posti’s handling fee within 20 days of the item’s arriving in Finland. Posti can provide you with a notice of arrival for a cleared item including detailed instructions regarding the inward clearance and the payment of the handling fee.
Source : https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2020
4. Pósturinn, parcels, and lockers: Iceland Post's need for capacity
December 14, 2020
Pósturinn (Iceland Post) is expanding its parcel locker network - and there’s no doubt the extra capacity is needed!
The post’s current network has grown to 31 locker banks across the country, with more to be added.
When the current round of expansion is completed (with new KePol outdoor lockers from KEBA), there will be some 2000 locker doors available to customers for parcel collection.
And if the volumes Pósturinn has witnessed during peak are a guide, the locker network may need to expand further soon. Some locker banks in the capital Reykjavík have been at capacity during December, with a backlog of parcels waiting to be loaded into lockers for customer collection.
“When we set up the Póstbox this autumn, we knew that the demand would be high, but we did not expect such a good reception.
We are filling the lockers many times a day to try to meet this demand, but unfortunately we have to move some of the shipments to the post office to ensure that they reach the customers faster.” - Sesselía Birgisdóttir, Director Services and Marketing, Iceland Post
With peak parcel volumes being handled at post offices, combined with the need to social distance and customers’ understandable unwillingness to queue outside post offices, Iceland Post has introduced an electronic queueing option.
Customers at the 11 largest post offices in Iceland can get their number in the queue online without having to stand in line. This means customers can wait in their car while waiting for their number to be called.
“Iceland Post already has near our MVP of lockers (1:10000) in terms of density. Iceland is a great place to test lockers due to the relatively small size of population and ability to develop a dense network with under 100 machines!” - Marek Różycki, Managing Partner, Last Mile Experts
Source : http://www.thepostalhub.com/blog
5. CWU will do “everything possible” to protect members after unprovoked assault on postal worker in Bangor
December 11, 2020
The CWU in Northern Ireland have warned they will not tolerate their members being physically assaulted on the job, after a postal worker has been attacked in Bangor, County Down.
The has gone out after Andrew Holmes, a worker based out of Bangor Delivery Office, was attacked on Thursday afternoon.
As Andrew, 56, was working his shift, he was assaulted on Stanley Road at around 2.30pm by a man who had been allegedly assaulting a woman on the same street.
Andrew, who has 30 years of service with Royal Mail, was then helped by a member of the public, who waited with him until the police arrived.
He suffered a black eye, cuts and bruises to his head and face as a result of the attack, and CWU News understands that the assailant has been arrested by the PSNI.
At the time of writing, the CWU are fully co-operating with Royal Mail management to get justice for Andrew.
CWU Northern Ireland Regional Chair Davy Moffett said: “On behalf of the entire Communication Workers Union, I send our best wishes to our colleague, and I hope he makes a full recovery as soon as possible.
“Even in normal circumstances, this attack is completely unacceptable.
“But it is even more disgraceful in a global crisis, where postal and delivery workers are risking their lives every day to keep us all connected.
“The pressures they’re facing are unprecedented, and they’re doing their best under exceptional circumstances.
“It isn’t right at all that workers should feel worried about intimidation or assault walking into any area, and as a union we completely reject that.
“Make no mistake about it, the CWU will do everything possible to protect our workers, including taking workers off the street, if it is the necessary thing to do in order to protect them.”
“The last thing we want to do is disrupt services and bring more misery, but people’s safety will always be our first priority.”
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news
POSTAL NEWS
No 102-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
1. Yource acquires Cendris from PostNL. December 17, 2020.2. Royal Mail launches ground-breaking drone delivery service.December 16, 2020.
3. CEVA expands in Africa with deals in Ethiopia and Egypt.December 15, 2020.4. Romanian Post launches "Green Mail" program.December 14, 2020.5. Major Concern Over COVID-19 Outbreak in Saskatoon Mail Processing Plant. December 12,2020. |
1. Yource acquires Cendris from PostNL
December 17, 2020
The Hague, the Netherlands, 17 December 2020 – Yource and PostNL today announced that they have signed a purchase agreement for Yource’s acquisition of Cendris, a subsidiary of PostNL. The transaction, of which financial details have not been disclosed, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.
Specialising in customer contact and employing over 3,000 people in more than 10 locations, Cendris serves a wide variety of clients and leading brands, including PostNL.
Robin Jansen, CEO of Yource, said: “The acquisition of Cendris is the next step in scaling up our operations and fostering further growth and technological development. We’re delighted to welcome Cendris people on board at Yource and look forward to the additional added value and expertise they'll be bringing to our customers.”
Pim Berendsen, CFO of PostNL, commented: “By further focusing on our core activities, we enhance PostNL’s transformation into the Benelux area’s favourite logistics supplier for post and e-commerce. The takeover by Yource should help Cendris achieve its own growth ambitions, offering even brighter future prospects to both Cendris employees and clients. Cendris’ relationship with PostNL will change but continue. As one of Cendris’ clients, we’ll continue to count on the same quality and service we’ve come to expect over the years.”
After completion of the transaction, Cendris will continue under the Yource name in the course of 2021.
Source : https://www.postnl.nl/en/about-postnl/press-news/press-releases/2020
2. Royal Mail launches ground-breaking drone delivery service
December 16, 2020
Royal Mail has partnered with DronePrep, Skyports and what3words to become the first nationwide UK parcel carrier to deliver a parcel for recipients via an unmanned aerial vehicle. In a UK first, the consortium arranged an initial drone delivery to a remote lighthouse on the Isle of Mull in December.
This is the first step in a consultation program and trial, which will focus on engaging with the community to explore the viability of using drones to deliver to rural communities on the Isle of Mull, where Skyports is already using its drones to help NHS Scotland with the response to Covid-19.
This will help to identify opportunities to support postmen and postwomen in delivering to very remote areas and addresses in the UK. Tom Nunn, local postman for Isle of Mull, said, “Some of the houses on the Isle of Mull include a 30 minute walk to the front door so the use of drones will be a huge help!”
As with all Royal Mail deliveries across the UK, the postcode will route the parcel toward its destination. The local postie will then use drone delivery to reach the most remote locations in their patch faster. For the drone delivery, residents consulted on the Isle of Mull will be invited to use the DronePrep platform to assess the viability of their property for drone delivery and pinpoint a suitable landing location within their ownership using the what3words integration.
To enable this for the trial, Royal Mail is asking recipients to provide the what3words address, a 3×3 metre square, that corresponds to the precise landing point for delivery of Royal Mail parcels via the drone from the Royal Mail van.
Nick Landon, chief commercial officer, Royal Mail, added, “We’ve seen a huge increase in parcel volumes this year and this is just one of the ways we are looking at to support our frontline delivery staff and deliver fast, convenient and green services for all of our customers.”
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news
3. CEVA expands in Africa with deals in Ethiopia and Egypt
December 15, 2020
CEVA Logistics has expanded its presence in the African market through investments in companies in Egypt and Ethiopia.
In Egypt, the company has taken a majority stake in IBA Freight Services, its exclusive partner for the past 20 years, while in Ethiopia CEVA has taken a minority stake in MACCFA, a long-standing freight forwarder headquartered in Addis Ababa.
Both joint ventures are effective immediately and “further cement CEVA Logistics’ aim of becoming a leading continent-wide player”.
“Through the new joint ventures both entities will be able to expand their products base which will help enhance the use of their local logistics services across the CEVA Logistics network,” the forwarder said.
IBA Freight Services is headquartered in Cairo, close to the city’s international airport, and offers multimodal and 3PL services. It has offices in Cairo, at Cairo Airport and in the port city of Alexandria as well as trucking services throughout the country.
MACCFA has been established for some 25 years and operates from six offices and has customs locations across Ethiopia. It operates two road corridors: Addis Ababa–Djibouti and Mekelle– Kombolcha–Addis Ababa, and has a block train service from the Port of Djibouti to Indode Freight Terminal near Addis Ababa with onward trucking services to final destinations across Ethiopia.
These deals follow CEVA’s acquisition of a majority stake in AMI Worldwide in the summer of 2020 which added an additional 12 countries to the company’s African network.
Source : https://www.aircargonews.net
4. Romanian Post launches "Green Mail" program
December 14, 2020
BUCHAREST , - The Romanian Post National Company is among the first state-owned companies to start implementing the European Green Pact, by purchasing 15 electric vans for Prioripost express courier, thus contributing to reducing carbon emissions in the Capital and reducing the impact on the environment.
The European Commission's strategy for the European Green Pact (Green Deal) emphasizes the efficient use of resources and the transition to a cleaner circular economy. Considering that the courier activity is the third source of pollution in Bucharest, the Romanian Post decided to purchase a lot of electric vans, being among the first state-owned companies to invest in ecological transport.
The 15 electric vans were purchased from SC Renault Commercial Roumanie SRL, the company that won the tender initiated by the Romanian Post. The vehicles, the Renault Kangoo ZE model, in the version with 2 seats and Confort ZE 33 equipment, will be used by the Express Services Branch, in Bucharest, and will partially replace the cars older than 10 years, with a degree of advanced wear. Along with the vehicles, 8 recharging stations of two 22 kw sockets were purchased, which were installed at the company's headquarters, located on Calea Giuleşti no. 6-8, in Bucharest.
The total value of the contract is 2.27 million lei and represents both the equivalent value of the necessary vans and charging stations, as well as of the CASCO and RCA insurance services related to them, for a period of one year.
The acquisition was made through the "National Program on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Transport, by promoting clean and energy efficient road transport vehicles 2020-2024". Thus, by scrapping 15 vehicles older than 10 years, the company obtained 772,500 lei (the total value of Rabla Clasic and Rabla Plus tickets), the amount used for the partial payment of the vehicles.
The Romanian Post National Company is taking steps to expand the "Green Post" program, being in direct contact with the Ministry of European Funds and DG Reform (General Directorate for Support for Structural Reforms) to finance technical assistance.
Also, the company's management is analyzing the possibility that the charging stations can be used by other natural or legal persons, owners of electric cars, based on a monthly subscription.
" The European Commission's strategy regarding the European Green Pact focuses on companies with a high carbon footprint, which influences development policies, including the policies of the Romanian Post. The purchased electric vans will contribute to the reduction of noxious emissions for the activity of postal courier that is carried out with intensity in the urban agglomerations. Participating in the reduction of the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere, we are, as the company's slogan says ", said Horia Grigorescu, General Manager of the Romanian Post.
" Renault is recognized as a pioneer of 100% electric mobility and the only manufacturer that has zero-emission commercial vehicles in its range, adapted to the different needs of companies. We are glad that the Romanian Post is one of the promoters of the use of this sustainable mobility solution, proving, once again, the sustained concern for the protection of the environment, but also for its customers ", said Istvan Lorinczi , Special Sales Director of Renault Commercial Roumanie .
About the Romanian National Post Company
Po Sta Romanian is a national company established under Law 31/1990, and not a public institution. It operates on economic management, which means that it forms its own revenues from commercial contracts and is therefore self-financing.
The Romanian Post is owned by the Romanian state, through the Ministry of Transports, Infrastructure and Communications in proportion of 93.52% , and by Fondul Proprietatea, in proportion of 6.48% .
The company has the largest distribution network nationwide, being the largest employer - over 24,000 employees, with 5,500 post offices / counters / post offices, and over 19 million inhabitants benefit from its services and over 7.5 millions of addresses are covered by your own postal network.
Source : https://www.posta-romana.ro/a1371/stiri
5. Major Concern Over COVID-19 Outbreak in Saskatoon Mail Processing Plant
December 12, 2020
Eighteen (18) CUPW members, working at the Saskatoon Mail Processing Plant have tested positive for COVID-19. Several of the members are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, while others are experiencing severe symptoms.
I know I speak for all postal workers when I extend our wishes for a full and quick recovery to all these members.
How Did This Happen?
We believe that physical distancing protocols were not properly adhered to.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic the Saskatoon CUPW Local has been very proactive in obtaining agreements from local management with respect to safety protocols including physical distancing. With the tremendous increase in volumes and the need for additional staff the requirement for physical distancing was not enforced by management. For example, the area for parcel sortation (known as “the bullpen” was overstaffed.
Canada Post must prioritize physical distancing and this priority cannot be shifted to cram more people into work areas.
Our Health Cannot Take Second Place to Productivity
During this period of Christmas volumes and additional staff it is more important than ever to ensure that all work is performed in a manner that protects the health and safety of postal workers.
CUPW has notified Canada Post management that we demand that all sections of mail processing plants, on all shifts, be inspected regularly to ensure that all safety measures, including physical distancing, are being complied with. When public health conducts inspections, it is our position that they should be along side the LJOSH committee members and these reviews should be on the appropriate shifts.
You Have Rights to Health and Safety
Under our collective agreements and the provisions of the Canada Labour Code all workers have the right to a workplace and working conditions that are healthy and safe. If you believe that the situation where you are working is overcrowded, or that safe work practices are not being followed, notify your shop steward or Health and Safety representative, or local, joint, Health and Safety committee (LJOSH) as soon as possible.
Source :https://www.cupw.ca/en