UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 80-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.UPU Postal Development Report 2022 highlights positive post-COVID recovery. October 07, 2022.
2.In-home delivery with DHL Sweden. October 06, 2022.
3.Name change for Royal Mail. October 06, 2022.
4.FedEx pilots file for federal mediation. October 04, 2022.
5.Emirates Post Group launches fintech arm. October 03, 2022.
1.UPU Postal Development Report 2022 highlights positive post-COVID recovery October 07, 2022
The Universal Postal Union, the UN specialized agency for international postal cooperation, has just released new research demonstrating that the quality of postal services worldwide has improved since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I congratulate the postal sector for its resilience in overcoming the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and I urge it to keep this momentum of progress and growth in the years to come. The Postal Development Report reminds us that the global postal network is only as strong as its weakest link. The UPU remains at the ready to provide member countries with the tools, knowledge and services needed to ensure each and every link in our network grows stronger each year,” said UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki. Using postal big data and statistics from 172 countries, UPU’s Postal Development Report 2022 features a comparative index providing a comprehensive overview of global postal development across four dimensions: reliability, reach, relevance and resilience of postal services. The index is a next generation tool for the UPU and its member countries as they strive to ensure universal access to high-quality, modern services – including logistics for e-commerce – via the Post. For the first time, the report proposes 10 postal development levels. Austria, China, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland’s postal networks have all reached the top tier – achieving postal excellence. A majority of countries have started making progress, demonstrating a global strengthening of the sector.
This positive news is bolstered by data showing that the decline in domestic letter-post volumes has slowed for the first time in a decade. According to the research, postal operators also showed signs of taking advantage of growing opportunities in the parcels and logistics market – today’s lion’s share of the postal business. The 2022 edition of the report also noted several countries have made significant strides. This includes Armenia, Egypt and Estonia, which achieved the highest score progressions compared to the previous year. Cameroon, Colombia and Saudi Arabia were recognized as regional leaders in the 2022 index. Despite demonstrating the collective progress of the sector, the index also highlighted that countries’ postal development still remains skewed towards the lower development tiers – particularly in terms of reach and relevance indicators. In order to keep up with global crossborder e-commerce needs and contribute to the overall development of delivery markets, postal operators will need to improve their overall connectivity and strengthen their business models.
The report also makes connections between reductions in the postal carbon footprint and successful postal development, highlighting how the index’s components can provide insights for the preparation of mitigation plans to avoid negative environmental impacts of postal activities.
Source : https://www.upu.int/en/Press-Release/2022/UPU-Postal-Development-Report-2022- highlights-positive-post-COVID-recovery
2.In-home delivery with DHL Sweden October 06, 2022
DHL now offers in-home delivery in certain parts of Sweden.
Customers with Yale digital locks in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala, Väst erÃ¥s, Örebro, Linköping and Eskilstuna are the first to be able to access this service. Under the partnership, parcels will be delivered to customers’ hallways. The DHL driver will gain access to the home via a temporary encrypted code. DHL delivery drivers won’t enter customers’ homes - they will place the package on the mat just inside the front door and then close the door again. The service will be expanded to the rest of Sweden during the course of 2022 and 2023.Sweden is something of a leader in this space. PostNord trialled in-home and in-car delivery some years ago.
Source : http://www.thepostalhub.com/blog/dhl-in-home-delivery-sweden
3.Name change for Royal Mail October 06, 2022
V
Royal Mail plc has confirmed its name has changed to International Distributions Services plc.
The Company announced the decision to change its name to International Distributions Services plc on 20 July 2022 together with its first quarter 2022 results. This change has now taken effect.
Shareholders should note that their shareholdings will be unaffected by the change of name. Existing share certificates should be retained as they will remain valid for all purposes and no new share certificates will be issued. The Company’s stock market TIDM changed to “IDS” at 8:00 am (UK time) on 5 October 2022.
Source: https://postandparcel.info/150324/news/post/name-change-for-royal-mail/
4.FedEx pilots file for federal mediation October 04, 2022
MEMPHIS—FedEx Express pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), jointly with FedEx Express management, filed for federal mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for assistance with contract negotiations that began in May 2021.
The joint filing provides the necessary step for both parties to request expedited mediation under the Railway Labor Act. The pilots have been consistent in their pursuit of an industryleading employment contract. Last week, more than 100 off-duty FedEx pilots held an informational picket at the Financial District in New York City to demonstrate their increasing frustrations. “The decision to invoke the services of the NMB was not taken lightly,” said Capt. Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC). “Although we are disappointed with management’s proposals, we remain prepared to work with FedEx under the auspices of federal mediation to achieve a contract that recognizes the collective contributions of FedEx pilots.” Last year, FedEx pilots and management entered focused negotiations with a mutual goal of reaching a new agreement by the end of May 2022—a date that has long passed. Direct negotiations have been productive on the work rule sections of the contract. The parties have successfully closed 8 of the 12 opened sections; however, significant gaps remain in critical economic sections including retirement and pay rates. With only a few, but critical, items remaining, the FedEx ALPA MEC elected to pursue mediation and asked management to join in that request.
“With peak shipping season around the corner, it’s imperative that management fully commits to reaching a new pilot contract. FedEx pilots are getting more frustrated every day that goes by without an agreement. We’re hopeful that a mediator will assist in moving negotiations along and help us reach an agreement that recognizes our collective contributions to FedEx’s success,” added Norman. Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 65,000 pilots at 40 U.S. and Canadian airlines.
Source : https://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/news-room/2022-10-05-fedex-pilots-file-for-mediation
5.Emirates Post Group launches fintech arm October 03, 2022
Emirates Post Group is to launch a
financial technology arm – Fintx – to expand its footprint within the sector.
Fintx is expected to build an efficient fintech ecosystem and provide a suitable setting for all types of financial technology services. It will also provide a platform for investors and incumbents to collaborate and create digital financial services for the UAE and beyond. The fintech arm will own, oversee and change the existing financial services companies of Emirates Post Group, which includes the Wall Street Exchange Centre and Instant Cash. Wall Street Exchange Centre is an exchange house in the UAE established in 1982; Instant Cash is a global money transfer operator established in 2004. Ahmed Mohamed Al Awadi, managing director and CEO of Fintx, said, “Fintx will act as an incubator for fintech innovation. Through the newly established company, we aim to create a one-of-a-kind fintech ecosystem and elevate the diversity and quality of the financial services provided by the existing companies we oversee and new ventures we create. We intend to leverage our robust customer base and the extensive record of financial expertise spanning decades across our wide local and international network, to drive the success of the company.”
Source:https://www.parcelandpostaltechnologyinternational.com/news/business-diversification/emirates-post-group-launches-fintech-arm.html
UNI Apro Post & Logistics
1 POSTAL NEWS No 79-2022
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
1.‘I’ll keep picketing as long as I’m able to’ vows terminally ill striker. October 07, 2022.
2.bpost installs parcel sorting machine at Antwerp site. October 06, 2022.
3.UPS expands time-critical offering in Singapore and Thailand. October 05, 2022.
4.Australia Post gives Net Zero target the stamp of approval. October 05, 2022.
5.Swiss Post acquires Eoscop, securing IT resources for its goods logistics. October 04, 2022.
1.‘I’ll keep picketing as long as I’m able to’ vows terminally ill striker October 07, 2022
Hero Edinburgh member drives himself to picket line at 6am after hospital treatment his wife didn’t even know he’d gone!
“Please all keep sticking together and don’t give in,” is the heartfelt message Rab Bain asked CWU News to send out to all CWU strikers when we spoke to him yesterday, just a few days after surprising his fellow workers by turning up at their earlymorning picket line. “I’d had palliative chemotherapy at hospital the day before and that evening I was really tired – but I thought if I got an early night, I’d get myself up in time to see the guys on the line nice and early. “When I got there it was so great to see them all – lots of hugs and cheers! I stayed about an hour and then I gradually started feeling really cold and quite tired, so I drove home again. And when I got back indoors, my wife Karen was still asleep. I hadn’t told her I was going beforehand because I wasn’t sure until I actually went whether I’d feel able to – but when I told her I’d been to the picket, she was pleased for me and how it had really cheered me up to see everyone. They’re such a great bunch over there.” First diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago, after being taken to hospital with a burst appendix, Rab, 57, told of how he had undergone “constant treatments, operations and surgery” ever since then. “In September and October, I had operations to have my gall bladder and 50 per cent of my liver removed and then in December – it was 22nd December 2021 – the doctor told me the cancer had spread to my bones, back and lungs and that I had six months to a year left to live.”
Rab says that hearing the terrible news devastated his wife and that the doctor had also seemed extremely upset, but as to his own feelings, he recalls: “It’s hard to describe. Whether I completely took it in or not when the doctor told me, I’m not sure. It gradually dawned on me. I didn’t go and tell people. I didn’t tell anyone directly. As if it somehow wasn’t real if I didn’t mention it.” Since that awful day, Rab has attended hospital regularly, receiving palliative care including chemotherapy and other treatments. But despite his own ordeal, he kept in touch with workmates at Edinburgh West Delivery Office and watched with dismay as the company set out to attack the union, the workforce and the whole service. Having worked for Royal Mail for 22 years and served as a unit rep for the past decade, he felt the anger that his colleagues felt at what has been happening.
“I’m a great believer in the union, massively, and I feel for the guys when I see what the company’s trying to do to them. I wanted to show my face on the picket line,” he says. “Saturday was the first time I was able to get there and it was so nice to go down and support them. I’m in the group photo there – at the back with a hood and glasses. It was a strange feeling, a little bit surreal actually, but really nice..
“I want to go again. I’m going to try every time I can as long as I’m able to and as long as I’m not in hospital. “What I’d say to our guys, all our Royal Mail members – and Post Office and our members in BT as well – is please stick together, keep sticking together, keep fighting, don’t give in.
“I know it’s hard and it’s going to be hard, but to give in now will cripple us and those people will destroy the company.” His branch secretary (Scotland No2 Branch) said: “Rab’s an incredibly brave man. It’s wonderful that he drove himself to the picket line so early in the morning in these circumstances to support his workmates. He says about how it cheered him up, well it was a massive morale boost to our guys on the picket line as well – inspirational.
“Make no mistake, we will all keep on fighting and we hope he’ll be able to come and see us on the picket line again.”
Source : https://www.cwu.org/news/ill-keep-picketing-as-long-as-im-able/
2.bpost installs parcel sorting machine at Antwerp site October 06, 2022
bpost Belgium has begun installing a parcel sorting machine in its Antwerp X site in Belgium, to expand its sorting capacity in response to the fall in letter volumes and the rise of e-commerce.
The first part of the new parcel sorting machine (PSM) will be fully operational by the end of October 2022. The second part will be delivered in 2023. Together, they will sort 18,000 to 20,000 parcels per hour (a doubling of sorting capacity). The installation has been conducted in overlapping parts to ensure there will be no loss of sorting capacity during construction or the changeover to a new machine.
According to bpost, all the sorting center infrastructure has been adapted to the new machine. The existing building was enlarged by 2,000m². Furthermore, earlier in 2022 the site received 19 truck bays and two loose load conveyors, which can be extended into the interior of the truck to unload and transport bulk cargo to the sorting machine. This will enable customers to load their goods straight into the truck without using pallets or containers. Alongside a 1.2km parcel sorting machine, the Antwerp X site now has 90 to 160 chutes. It covers 55,000m² and can undertake automatic scanning of parcel size, weight and barcode.
Ronald Kenens, director of preparation at bpost, said, “The AX sorting center investment shows bpost’s ambition to position itself as the preferred partner in e-commerce logistics, staying true to our DNA and ensuring employees have opportunities to grow and develop.”
Petra De Sutter, minister of public enterprises with responsibility for the postal service, added, “There’s more to a parcel than you might think. Everyone sees the parcel deliverer passing by on our streets, but there’s the whole machinery behind them. It’s good that bpost is preparing for the expected parcel rush at the end of the year with this new parcel machine. We expect our public enterprises to constantly innovate and act as role models. This high-tech machine is an example of that.”
Tom Geerinckx, preparation manager at Antwerp X, said, “That’s why the new machine is being built in two phases. Our current machine is still running at full capacity and the first part of the new machine came on stream last month. We will begin building the second part in early 2023. The full PSM will be operational in time for the end-of-year period 2023 and will be able to sort 20,000 parcels per hour.”
3.UPS expands time-critical offering in Singapore and Thailand October 05, 2022
Express giant UPS has expanded its “Premier” service for time- and temperaturesensitive shipments to Thailand and Singapore.
The service offers tracking, prioritisation of shipments and has three levels, with the Premier Gold service being made available in the two locations. Gold offers ‘first-in, first-off’ prioritisation and near real-time monitoring through sensors built into the package labelling. The Gold service also includes expedited package recovery process that “allows the shipper to configure specific handling instructions should intervention be required”, plus capacity for same-day redelivery. UPS Healthcare president Wes Wheeler said: “Visibility and traceability are essential to prioritising the life-saving medications our customers ship and their customers need. “The difference between life and death for patients often hinges on the ability to quickly ship and precisely track, monitor and locate medications.” UPS pointed to statistics from Orion Market Research showing that the global market for biologic therapeutic drugs is expected to grow in value from $285.5bn in 2020 to $421.8bn by 2025.
“This growth is mirrored in Asia Pacific, where the biologics market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.2% from 2020 to 2026 (according to Orion Market Research), accelerated by factors such as the increase in biologics therapy. “Hence, innovations in biologics, specialty pharmaceuticals, and medications genetically personalised for each patient’s needs are driving significant demand for precision logistics to support more patient-critical, time- and temperature-sensitive products.
Source: https://www.aircargonews.net/sectors/pharma-logistics/ups-expands-time-criticaloffering-in-singapore-and-thailand/
4.Australia Post gives Net Zero target the stamp of approval October 05, 2022
▪ First Commonwealth GBE to target Net Zero by 2050 ▪ Australia’s largest fleet of electric delivery vehicles ▪ 2025 emissions reduction target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative
Australia Post today launched its 2025 Sustainability Roadmap, formally supporting the Australian Government’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050. In doing so, Australia Post has become the first Commonwealth Government Business Enterprise to target Net Zero emissions by 2050. Australia Post will be undertaking a comprehensive range of initiatives to reduce Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions. Australia Post boasts Australia’s largest fleet of electric delivery vehicles and the Roadmap outlines a range of targets to deliver a sustainable future that benefits all Australians, including:
- targeting Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050; - reducing emissions by 15% by 2025 (FY19 baseline); - sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2025; - 100% ‘fully sustainable’ packaging range aligned to the 2025 National Packaging Targets by 2025; - decreasing waste to landfill by 20% (FY19 baseline) by 2025; and - spending $100 million with social enterprise and Indigenous suppliers by 2025.
The Roadmap outlines a science-based approach that aligns with the aims of the UN Paris Agreement and includes a 2025 emissions reduction target validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative in 2021. The initiative to target Net Zero emissions by 2050 involves investment in renewables and our electric fleet. The Roadmap identifies opportunities for collaboration and innovation across the supply chain, including crucial initiatives to invest in sustainable aviation fuel. Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Paul Graham said the Roadmap will build on the strong results Australia Post has already achieved in reducing the carbon intensity of operations. “I am incredibly proud of our sustainability credentials. Over the past few years, we have seen unprecedented growth in our parcels business because of the pandemic. Although, as our revenue has climbed, our carbon intensity has dropped. In fact, the carbon emissions perparcel associated with sending the average domestic parcel via Parcel Post halved between FY18 and FY21.” “That’s a great start but we still have a long way to go, and I am delighted to announce Australia Post will target Net Zero by 2050 as part of our 2025 Sustainability Roadmap launched today. This plan will guide Australia Post in the next phase of our sustainability journey as it becomes even more critical to accelerate our decarbonisation.” “We hope as Australia’s longest running business, with one of the country’s largest and most diverse workforces, that our transformation can inspire other organisations to follow suit. If we can do it, so can you.” Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, welcomed Australia Post’s initiative to target Net Zero after the Federal Government’s landmark Climate Change Bill passed through Parliament earlier in September. “Australia is serious about reducing emissions and it is fantastic to see Australia Post, one of the oldest and most established institutions in the country, supporting our Net Zero ambitions.
A snapshot of Australia Post’s impact in numbers
- Since FY19 Australia Post’s revenue grew by 28% while carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined reduced by 21%. In particular, in FY22 Australia Post revenue grew by 8.5% while carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined reduced by 4%. - Between FY18 and FY21 the carbon intensity for Scopes 1, 2 and 3 combined per parcel associated with sending the average: - domestic parcel via Parcel Post reduced by 51%; - domestic parcel via Express Post reduced by 35%; and - international parcel reduced by 16%. - Australia Post has increased its fleet of electric delivery vehicles to 4,635, making it the largest electric delivery vehicle fleet in Australia. - Australia Post’s fleet of electric delivery vehicles covers more than 28 million kilometres each year – that’s more than twice the distance of Earth’s circumference every delivery day.
Source : https://newsroom.auspost.com.au/article/australia-post-gives-net-zero-target-thestamp-of-approval
5.Swiss Post acquires Eoscop, securing IT resources for its goods logistics October 04, 2022
Swiss Post acquired Eoscop, a logistics software company based in Balsthal in the canton of Solothurn, on 4 October 2022. Swiss Post has worked for a number of years with Eoscop, an IT partner, which was seeking a buyer as part of succession planning.
Eoscop will enable Swiss Post to standardize and develop its planning software for specific logistics processes. The employment contracts for the 20 Eoscop staff affected will remain unchanged. Goods logistics is a growing market, especially in view of the rising importance of online retail. For many business customers – from machine manufacturers to online shops –Swiss Post handles the entire logistics process from A to Z. This means it is not only responsible for the delivery of goods, but also offers customs clearance services and installation services for furniture stores, for example. For these services, Swiss Post requires skilled workers and expertise, among other things, to help it plan its various assignments. Swiss Post acquired a full stake in the IT service provider Eoscop as of 4 October 2022 in order to achieve improvements in this area. Eoscop develops specific digital applications that are required in modern logistics. The company employs 20 people in Balsthal (SO).
Good planning is the key to smooth logistic
Behind every service that Swiss Post offers its business customers lies high-quality planning. This includes software for handling customs clearance, tools for organizing international transport and for delivering spare parts to technology companies. In recent years, Eoscop has developed numerous and highly specific applications with and for Swiss Post’s goods logistics. This means Swiss Post is already Eoscop’s largest customer. Johannes Cramer, Head of Logistics Services at Swiss Post, is pleased that the logistics software specialist will now be fully owned and integrated into Swiss Post’s organization: “Eoscop understands perfectly what we need. We’ve been working together for many years. The acquisition provides us with an important tool for standardizing our planning software across the entire goods logistics sector. By having Eoscop’s specialists under one roof, we can also respond even faster to the specific requirements of our business customers.”
Employment contracts for the staff affected to remain unchanged
Eoscop will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary of Swiss Post. The employment relationships of the employees will remain unchanged. Eoscop had been seeking a buyer as part of succession planning. The parties involved have agreed to maintain confidentiality over the details of the acquisition.
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