POSTAL NEWS
No 83-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
|
1. DPDHL: Promoting e-commerce in developing and emerging countries. October 15, 2020.
2. Pay Increments.October 14, 2020.
3. Postmaster General champions USPS employee commitment to a safe and secure election. October 13, 2020.
4. Royal Mail-adds 720k parcels daily capacity parcel sorting machines. October 09, 2020.
5. Our employees are the best in the world.October 09, 2020. |
1. DPDHL: Promoting e-commerce in developing and emerging countries
October 15, 2020
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group want to invest 30 million euros in the digitization of customs and trade processes, the promotion of e-commerce and low-emission logistics in cities.
The cooperation will focus on Africa. A corresponding agreement was signed this week by Federal Minister Gerd Müller and Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group.
Federal Minister Gerd Müller: “The corona crisis and the lockdown have disrupted supply chains in developing countries. Millions of companies are fighting for survival.
Right now we have to keep economic cycles going. But bureaucratic customs procedures and corruption are hampering intra-African trade. This is where we work together with Deutsche Post DHL Group: With a new digital system, we are helping medium-sized African companies to handle customs completely digitally. We are starting in Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. We are also creating new sales markets worldwide via new e-commerce platforms. All this accelerates trade, creates transparency and enables enormous leaps in development. We place particular emphasis on training and the promotion of women as entrepreneurs. And we are deliberately focusing on digitization. Nowhere is digitization progressing faster than in Africa. Some African countries are already further ahead than Europe – for example, in cashless payment via smartphone.”
“The Corona crisis is cutting trade relations in developing countries and plunging an additional 115 million people into poverty this year alone. Right now we have to keep global economic cycles running and ensure that the poor also benefit from it. Digitalization can make a big difference here. Many of our partner countries are already more advanced in digitization than we are in Germany – for example, when it comes to mobile payment.”
Deutsche Post DHL Group CEO Frank Appel: “Cross border trade creates prosperity, improves lives and connects people – but in many regions there are still major hurdles. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development we are working decisively on removing those hurdles. Merchants who previously sold their goods regionally get access to customers around the world. For this purpose we also started our new sustainability program GoTrade. The program engages especially in developing countries which have not yet benefited from globalization as much as others.”
A reduction of trade barriers through the use of digital solutions is to be tackled first in Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Trade barriers, such as bureaucratic, non-transparent – and thus often corruption-prone – customs procedures, hit developing countries particularly hard and make it more difficult for them to access world trade. BMZ and DPDHL Group will also continue their exchange on projects on green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.
The partnership is to be implemented primarily through the develoPPP.de program, through which the BMZ promotes entrepreneurial initiatives in developing and emerging countries that contribute to sustainable development on the ground. DPDHL Group will bear at least 2/3 of the costs of all measures.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/127863/news/e-commerce
2. Pay Increments
October 14, 2020
We are still meeting virtually with CPC on the issue of pay increments and the corrections.
Canada Post has started paying out members who were underpaid and expect everyone to be fully compensated by the end of 2020.
For the members who were overpaid, there has been an agreement between the parties that CPC will not start the deductions of your pay until January 7, 2021. You will then be entitled to clause 35.06, which restricts the deductions to 10% of the employee’s pay.
However, if you are in a situation where you owe CPC money and they owe you money, CPC will deduct the money that you owe from what they have to pay you. As per CPC’s policy, you can make an arrangement with AccessHR if the deduction at 10% puts you in a situation of financial hardship. Every situation will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Canada Post will send a notification by mail to these affected members. This notice will also include an itemization of the payment or overpayment.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en/pay-increments-0
3. Postmaster General champions USPS employee commitment to a safe and secure election
October 13, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC — With the November election less than a month away, Postmaster Louis DeJoy today reiterated his great faith in the fundamental integrity of the employees of the United States Postal Service and expressed tremendous confidence in their commitment and readiness throughout the organization.
“The more than 630,000 men and women of the U.S Postal Service are ready to fulfill on the sacred duty of delivering the nation’s Election Mail securely and timely,” said DeJoy.
“The sanctity and security of the nation’s mail is a core value for all Postal Service employees, and that core value fully applies with Election Mail.
Anyone who suggests that Postal Service employees are anything but fully dedicated to the mission of delivering the nation’s Election Mail knows little about the passion and determination of the people who make the Postal Service work, in every corner of the country, every day.”
“From my executive team to the leadership of the Postal unions and management associations to every Postal employee, our number one priority for the next month is the election. We have the resources in place and every team in every facility across the country is focused on Election Mail. We will not waiver from our sacred duty,” said DeJoy.
Last week an internal directive requested by the Postmaster General went into effect to authorize and instruct the use of additional resources to satisfy any demand and to ensure that all Election Mail is prioritized and delivered securely and on time. “These actions fulfill the commitment that I made back in August to make additional resources available as needed to handle whatever volume of Election Mail we receive” said DeJoy.
Source : https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020
4. Royal Mail-adds 720k parcels daily capacity parcel sorting machines
October 09, 2020
Royal Mail is introducing four new fully automated parcel sorting machines, adding nearly three quarters of a million parcels to its daily capacity.
The machines comprise a system of conveyor belts and scanning technology which can automatically sort parcels of up to 3kg for despatch to the required destination. Each machine can process around 10,000 parcels per hour and 180,000 per day.
The new machines will be rolled out in distribution centres in Tyneside, Medway, Nottingham and Southampton beginning next year. There are already 20 fully automated parcel machines across 16 mail centres in the country.
The purchase of the technology is part of Royal Mail’s strategy to adapt to more ecommerce parcel shipments and fewer letters. Royal Mail saw parcel volumes rise 34% in the five months to the end of August, but saw additional costs in transitioning its business from letters.
In particular, the carrier is mired in a battle with unions over proposed changes to working schedules, which it says are required to support the new model.
Simon Barker, national network and integration director at Royal Mail, said: “With the growth in online shopping, customers are showing an even greater appetite for parcels. This year alone has seen parcel volumes rise by 34% in the first five months of the year.
“Automating parcel sortation will enable us to meet this growing demand and transform our company into a parcels led delivery company that also delivers letters.
“We have already made significant strides towards this goal, having invested in the design and installation of 20 parcel sorting machines in 16 sites across the country.
“This automation technology is already fully operational and has increased the number of parcels sorted automatically on our network by a third. Our plan is to build on this and continue to increase the number of parcels automatically sorted in our network as parcel volumes continue to rise.”
Source : https://edelivery.net/2020/10
5. Our employees are the best in the world
October 09, 2020
Swiss Post has once again been named the «world’s best postal service». It achieved the top ranking in the annual Universal Postal Union (UPU) study for the fourth time in a row. Of the 170 postal organizations evaluated worldwide, Austria and Germany also took their place on the podium along with Switzerland. In an interview, CEO Roberto Cirillo explains why the award means so much this year.
Roberto Cirillo, Swiss Post has been named the world’s best postal service for the fourth time. Hasn’t it all become a bit routine?
No, absolutely not. It fills me with great pride and joy. To win the award this year of all years is extraordinary. We’ve had a very turbulent year. For Executive Management and myself, this crisis has once again highlighted that it is Swiss Post’s employees who set the company apart. They’re the heartbeat and face of Swiss Post. They’re all mothers, fathers, daughters and sons who will undoubtedly have often felt anxious due to coronavirus. And yet, they were all still there for the people of Switzerland. In short, our employees are the best in the world. It’s down to them that Swiss Post has once again topped the rankings.
You highlighted the extraordinary coronavirus situation. Swiss Post has actually performed extremely well this year. How did it manage that?
We shouldn’t forget that while Swiss Post is an institution, it is made up of over 50,000 employees. Recent months have shown me that we can adapt quickly to new circumstances, even if Swiss Post seems large and unwieldy. We’re overcoming situations that would have been unthinkable until recently. I’ve felt a strong sense of solidarity within Swiss Post. Whether in the parcel or letter centers, at the branches or in delivery, employees have joined forces to deal with the extreme situation and were always there for Switzerland. That gives me great pride but also confidence that we’ll overcome future challenges together.
You say Swiss Post has overcome situations that were unthinkable. What do you mean?
The pandemic was on our radar as part of crisis management, but we never imagined anything on this scale. Like the rest of the world, the virus also took Swiss Post by surprise. Everyone suddenly had to stay and work from home. Parcel volumes rose sharply. All the solutions we previously had in place for growing parcel volumes no longer worked because we had to maintain social distancing. Suddenly, over 9,000 employees had to work from home. Our IT department did an incredible job to ensure everything ran smoothly. And then there were our employees, who delivered parcels and letters to people’s homes each day. They couldn’t all simply stay at home. That’s why I would like to say a huge thank you to them.
In the study, Swiss Post is compared with postal organizations of countries in crisis. Is the award really meaningful?
I think it certainly is. Let’s not forget that COVID-19 is presenting major challenges for all postal organizations around the world. Swiss Post relies on successful international cooperation, not least as part of its involvement in the Universal Postal Union. Swiss Post extends beyond national borders. We’re firmly embedded in the global postal network. We can only provide benefits for people and companies in Switzerland if we have successful links with all other postal organizations.
The outlook isn’t rosy. Swiss Post has also been hit by coronavirus. How will Swiss Post make sure it remains at the top in future?
The crisis is having a major impact on our activities and finances. We need to brace ourselves and combine our energy and resources. That’s exactly what we’re doing by launching our new strategy, which is now more important than ever.
Roberto Cirillo virtually received the prize in front of the Universal Postal Union and expressed his thanks.
Source : https://post-medien.ch/en
POSTAL NEWS
No 84-2020
Formulated by UNI AproPost and Logistics Sector
1. DPD expands UK Pickup network.October 15, 20203. Thailand’s logistics startup Flash Express raises $200 million.
4. Posti’s 2,000th parcel locker to open in Katajanokka.October 09, 2020.5. Canada Post preparing to deliver with significant parcel volumes expected.October 09, 2020. |
1. DPD expands UK Pickup network
October 15, 2020
Parcel delivery firm DPD has confirmed that over 3,000 Collect+ parcel shops are to be added to its Pickup network, as part of a deal with PayPoint, the owner of Collect+. The deal will expand the DPD Pickup network to over 6,000 stores nationwide.
The company originally launched its Pickup network in 2015 and says the service has grown rapidly since, both in terms of major store brands recruited to the network and parcel volumes. Collect+ was originally created in 2009, with PayPoint becoming the outright owners in April 2020, opening the way for new partnerships with other carriers.
Dwain McDonald, DPD’s CEO, commented, “Our aim is to have the most accessible parcel network in the UK, and to give our parcel recipients real convenience and even more control over how their parcel is delivered. Therefore, this is a key partnership for us and I’m really pleased to be working with PayPoint and growing the network in this way.
The deal comes as DPD’s Your DPD app, which has been downloaded eight million times, scooped the Delivery Innovation of the Year award at the Retail Insider Transforming Retail Awards 2020. The app allows recipients to set their own delivery preferences, including being able to search for and select their preferred DPD Pickup location and divert parcels to their shop if they aren’t going to be at home.
Source : https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news
2. When will there be solutions to the dysfunctions of the Network Information System?
The work of FO Com activists in the field made it possible to present a solid and factual dossier during the bilateral meeting on September 24 with the director of the IT Services Department of the Bank and the Network (DSIBR). The testimonials of the postal workers, relating their difficulties in building a quality customer relationship with a failing IS, were very illustrative.
Although aware, it seems, of the dysfunctions encountered in the field, the DSIBR seemed to us to be quite helpless in the face of the problem. FO Com has been able to point the finger at the preeminent place taken by major projects to the detriment of working conditions and the quality of daily tools.
If the problem is so well known, why are solutions so slow to emerge?
A communication was sent on October 2 to the Sector Directors and the Method and Tool Managers of the DRs. A calendar describing the various actions in progress and to come are described there. If the writings are there, the will to remedy the dysfunctions must become a priority. All that remains is to be able to observe the effects in the field, both at the level of the Network and at the level of the DSIBR IT specialists.
FO Com remains on its guard as to the development of this hot topic. It is out of the question that the company's choices lead postal workers to the “status” of collateral victims.
Source :http://www.focom-laposte.fr/
3. Thailand’s logistics startup Flash Express raises $200 million
Flash Express, a two-year-old logistics startup that works with e-commerce firms in Thailand, said on Monday it has raised $200 million in a new financing round as it looks to double down on a rapidly growing market spurred by demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding, a Series D, was led by PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited, the marquee oil and retail businesses of Thai conglomerate PTT. Durbell and KrungsriFinnovate, two other top conglomerates in the Southeast Asian country, also participated in the round, which brings Flash Express’ to-date raise to about $400 million.
Flash Express, which operates door-to-door pickup and delivery service, claims to be the second largest private player to operate in this space. The startup, which also counts Alibaba as an investor, entered the market with delivery fees as low as 60 cents per parcel, a move that allowed it to quickly win a significant market share.
The startup has also expanded aggressively in the past year. Flash Express had about 1,100 delivery points during this time last year. Now it has more than 5,000, exceeding those of 138-year-old Thailand Post.
Flash Express currently delivers more than 1 million parcels a day, up from about 50,000 during the same time last year. The startup says it has also invested heavily in technology that has enabled it to handle over 100,000 parcels in a minute by fully automated sorting systems.
Komsan Lee, CEO of Flash Express, said the startup plans to deploy the fresh funds to introduce new services and expand to other Southeast Asian markets (names of which he did not identify). “We are also prepared to create and develop new technologies to achieve even greater delivery and logistics efficiency. More importantly we intend to assist SMEs in lowering their investment costs which we believe will provide long-term benefit for the overall Thai economy in the digital era,” he said.
Retail Business Public Company Limited plans to leverage Flash Express’ logistics network as it looks to meet the rising demand from consumers, said RajsudaRangsiyakull, senior executive vice president for Corporate Strategy, Innovation and Sustainability at Retail Business Public Company Limited.
Flash Express competes with Best Express — which, like Flash, is also backed by Alibaba — and Kerry Express, which filed for an initial public offering in late August.
Even as online shopping and delivery has accelerated in recent months, some estimates suggest that the overall logistics market in Thailand will see its first contraction in the history this year. ChumpolSaichuer, president of the Thai Transportation and Logistics Association, said last month Thailand’s logistics business has already been hit hard by the slowing global economy.
Source :https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/11
4. Posti’s 2,000th parcel locker to open in Katajanokka
October 09, 2020
There will be an improvement in Posti’s services in central Helsinki with the first parcel locker in the Katajanokka district opening at Merikasarminkatu 12, 00160 Helsinki, on Monday, October 12. Opening just in time for the fall, a peak season for online shopping, the parcel locker is Posti’s 2,000th. The expansion of Posti’s network of parcel lockers has been incredibly fast. About 85% of Finns have the nearest parcel point or Posti outlet located less than a kilometer from their home address.
Posti’s new parcel locker is located in a property on Merikasarmikatu, which offers a wide range of services – the idea of the property’s owner, Kari Wahlström. Wahlström, an active entrepreneur for the last five years, found himself in a new situation when a furniture showroom vacated the premises after the termination of its lease.
“I had many ideas for the property. When a few of them fell through, the idea of parcel lockers came up in conversations with my family. I also asked people on social media what services they’d like, and Posti’s services were a clear winner. Online shopping is so popular that I believe a service cluster like this will cater to residents’ needs,” says Wahlström, who earlier enjoyed a long career with the Finnish Border Guard. “I believe a cafe or some other business which would benefit from a stream of people picking up or dropping off parcels would do well here.”
Nowadays, most of Posti’s customers either pick up or send parcels, which is easy to do with a parcel locker. Up to 75% of parcel items are paid in advance online. When it comes to lockers, consumers like the long opening hours and their locations close to busy routes.
“We had been looking for a solution for Katajanokka for a long time. When Kari contacted us, we didn’t have to think twice. We’re constantly looking for more locations for our parcel lockers in central and southern Helsinki, but finding suitable premises is hard.
The brick-and-mortar stores in the city center are often small and not always so easy to access, with no room for a parcel locker,” says Heiko Laubach, Head of Retail Network at Posti.
The volume of parcels delivered by Posti has risen sharply, and Posti estimates that the end of the year will see a record-breaking fall and Christmas period for online shopping.
To ensure smooth parcel deliveries, Posti will increase the number of its popular parcel lockers and expand its parcel locker network. More temporary pickup points will be opened for the upcoming season and, this year, consumers will also be able to order their parcels delivered to these pickup points.
Source: https://www.posti.com/en/media/media-news/2020
5. Canada Post preparing to deliver with significant parcel volumes expected
October 09, 2020
As the rapid escalation in demand for parcel delivery and online shopping is expected to continue into the holiday season Canada Post announced its plans to handle a busy Christmas season. The company is implementing plans to scale up and stay safe while asking Canadians to start their shopping early to avoid disappointment.
A survey conducted for Canada Post in June showed 48% of Canadian shoppers plan on spending mostly or exclusively online this coming holiday. As well, 54% were open to begin shopping in October or early November. Shopping early and spreading out purchases is key to avoiding the traditional short-term surge in online holiday shopping. With the expected volumes, the addition of a traditional holiday parcel surge has the potential to overwhelm capacity and cause significant delays.
To scale-up, Canada Post said it is enacting a comprehensive 2020 Holiday peak season plan by;
· adding more than 4,000 temporary seasonal employees, increasing its fleet by more than 1,000 vehicles and adding key equipment.
· delivering on weekends in many communities, adding more parcel pickup locations and hours at many post offices will be extended. Processing equipment has been added at key locations in its network and will be fully utilised.
· adding enhancements to its tracking technology to provide customers with improved information as they follow the progress of their parcels.
· working with major customers to manage demand, improve the flow of parcels within its network and encourage Canadians to shop early.
The company said even with plans to upscale, add capacity and work with customers, a traditional holiday parcel surge combined with unprecedented volumes could overwhelm its capacity to process and deliver across the country, and is asking its customer to begin shopping earlier this year.
Source: https://www.ti-insight.com/