Postal News from March 2008:

March 31, 2008
 

Multichannel Merchant has noted that "The U.S. Postal Service delivers mail six days a week to 146 million locations. It wouldn't be able to do that without the revenue provided by direct mail, which equals one third of the money the USPS takes in. It supports the mail stream in the same way it supports so many other forms of entertainment, education, and communication."

DMM Advisory: PostalOne! release 15.5.0 is now available for customers. This release aligns the data exchange area with Mail.dat version 08-1 and enhances the dashboard and postage statement submission options for the Business Customer Gateway (both Owner and Preparer). Customers who use the eDropShip and Facility Access Shipment Tracking (FAST) programs will notice changes in validation and messaging.

CapitalTrends.az has reported that "The Turkish Postal Administration delegation will visit Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Communication and IT Ministry reported. They are expected in Baku on 1 April and will hold meeting in the Communication Ministry and Azerpocht state building. The aim of the visit is to familiarize themselves with the reforms in the postal sphere of Azerbaijan and to strengthen relations with Azerpocht. Azerbaijan will familiarize the Turkish representatives with the postal principles of Azerpocht, as well as the work implemented by World Bank through the project ‘Development of Financial Services’."

From PR Newswire: "Pointandship Software, Inc. (Point&Ship) has released the new version of its Shipping Expense Management Software(TM) (SEMS(TM)) with the addition of U.S. Postal Service mailing options. The upgrade now allows clients the ability to select Priority Mail, Global Mail & First Class Mail via the SEMS(TM) platform as shipping & mailing options."

According to the Oxford Mail, "Postal workers sacked during a bitter industrial dispute have won back their jobs at Oxford's main sorting centre."

eBay Canada has released data as part of its eBay Canada's Community Counts initiative, designed to help understand online buying and selling behavior among Canadians. Information for the top 5,000 Canadian postal codes and other statistics can be found online.

From Business Wire: "A survey of more than 294 executives and IT managers in the high-volume mailing industry shows that 42 percent of respondents are waiting on the announcements regarding further mailing discounts from the United States Postal Service (USPS) before making major purchasing decisions on how to implement the new Intelligent Mail® Barcode (IMB) system. The survey was conducted jointly by Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software and Mailing Systems Technology, the industry’s leading publication, on March 18, 2008 as part of a webinar on the business impact of IMB."

Bloomberg has reported that "Germany's Ver.di labor union is ``optimistic'' of a breakthrough in wage talks with government employers today that would lift the threat of all-out strikes in the public sector." See also Spiegel Online.

Hellmail has reported that "Royal Mail introduces the new 'career average' pension scheme tomorrow - the present scheme is now closed to new entrants as of today, The reforms, according to Royal Mail, are essential to stabilise the pension fund."

The Arizona Daily Star has reported that "as struggling airlines add extra-luggage fees and travelers worry about growing security restrictions, services like Luggage Forward and Luggage Free have emerged as ways to bypass the hassles of checking bags. While typically seen as a luxury, more Americans are using such options for run-of-the-mill trips. Others are simply mailing bags themselves, using the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx Corp. or UPS Inc."

The Hindu has noted that "The small savings schemes, administered by the Postal Department, remain popular, particularly among senior citizens, even in the face of the aggressive marketing and introduction of value-added products by public and private sector banks."

Gulf Times has reported that "Q-Post yesterday launched its latest version of stamps, which it labelled as “traditional perfume”.

Canada.com has reported that "A former Conservative MP says Stephen Harper's government has sent tens of millions of advertising flyers to Canadian households in an "unprecedented" use of MP printing and mailing services in 2008. Garth Turner, who now sits as a Liberal, believes Conservative MPs have printed between 30 million and 50 million black-and-white flyers over the past 90 days - all at taxpayers' expense."

According to Scoop.co.nz, "The cost of sending domestic letters and parcels through New Zealand Post has just changed. In some extreme cases there will be increases of up to 300% claims the other major player in the market. Freightways Limited, which specialises in the express package and business mail market, believes NZ Post’s new ‘Pricing in Proportion’ system introduced last Friday (March 28) will have caught a number of customers unawares."

March 30, 2008

The Daily Star has reported that "Dhaka dwellers will soon be able to enjoy speedy and secure electronic money transfer at the local post offices thanks to a joint venture between the Postal Department and Western Union. Under a five-year contract with the Postal Department, the internationally famed money transferring company will soon open special counters in designated post offices so that people can easily collect remittances sent from abroad. The venture aims to alleviate hassles and remove insecurities in transferring money or making payments in both local and international addresses, sources said."

The Palm Beach Post has reported that "After years of pleading for better postal service, Port St. Lucie might get just that after U.S. postal officials announced the city will break away from Fort Pierce control and get its own postmaster this spring. Continued population growth in the nation's third-fastest-growing city, coupled with expansion of the city's boundaries and an uptick in deliveries, persuaded Southeast area postal officials to authorize the new position."

The New Zealand Herald has reported that "Battered on the one hand by email and other computer-based communications, the amount of mail sent by Kiwis is falling steadily. And hit by falling volumes on one hand, New Zealand Post is whacked on the other side of the ledger by increasing costs of delivery - especially as many people no longer send letters to each other. Instead, they expect the postie to deliver all the junk they trade on the internet. Domestic letter volumes are falling by between 3 and 5 per cent yearly - and this decline is accelerating."

The Guardian has reported that:

• Royal Mail could be forced to hive off its network of post offices under proposals being considered by the regulator, Postcomm. It has also emerged that Royal Mail has told the estimated 2,500 postmasters and postmistresses whose post offices are closing that they will not receive the full compensation package if they set up their own rival independent branches.
• In the midst of this the Royal Mail is engaged in a controversial closure programme ordered by John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise. Savings made through closure will amount to £45m a year. Earlier this month the precise location was revealed of the 2,500 post offices to be closed, out of an existing 14,200. Up and down the country, notices were displayed in the selected branches saying customers had just six weeks to submit their responses to the proposal. The news heralded a wave of protests from rural and inner-city communities. 

Hellmail has reported that "The Poste Italiane Group, led by Massimo Sarmi, announces a positive operating performance for the sixth consecutive year, with net profit of €843.6 million up 25% on the previous year (€675.7 million), operating profit of €1.77 billion up 19% (€1.49 billion in 2006) and an EBIT margin of 15.5%, which is once again the highest among European postal services providers. Total revenue of €17.2 billion (€17.1 billion in 2006) primarily reflects the good performances recorded by all business segments, with improvements in operating profit (Financial Services up 2.7% and Postal Services up 3.8%) and external revenue at the Parent Company rising 3.8% to €9.1 billion. The Parent Company’s net profit is €704.4 million (€483.3 million in 2006), marking an increase of 45.7% on the previous year."

March 29, 2008

Hellmail has reported that "According to Royal Mail, 5.03 billion items of direct mail were sent in the UK in 2006, a decline of 2.1% in volume on the previous year. The UK addressed mail market was worth around £6.8 billion in 2006/07. Mail volumes amounted to 21.9 billion items, down 2% on the previous year. These figures included downstream access,all regulated and non-regulated mail, but excludes door-to-door and international. Transactional mail volume estimates range anywhere from 6bn to 10bn items per year2, this volume is estimated to be declining by around 2-3% per year. This is due largely to businesses encouraging their customers to move physical bills and statements online....There is growing industry concern that this may be a structural decline based on a mature mail market subject to impacts such as e-substitution."

According to The New Yorker, "Three centuries after the appearance of Franklin’s Courant, it no longer requires a dystopic imagination to wonder who will have the dubious distinction of publishing America’s last genuine newspaper. Few believe that newspapers in their current printed form will survive."

The Financial Times has reported that "Royal Mail was spending too much time trying to keep competitors out of the postal market and not enough on meeting the needs of users, the postal regulator warned on Thursday. Postcomm said Royal Mail’s performance in rising to meet the challenges of competition had been disappointing. The former monopoly’s recent focus had been on heading off competition, rather than adapting to compete with new forms of communication such as e-mail and messaging."

The British postal regulator, Postcomm, has published on  its web site its "Forward Work Plan 2008-2011."

Hellmail has reported that "Postcomm has hinted at the introduction of a uniform VAT rate (possibly 5%) that could be applied to all mail services in the UK. "

March 28, 2008
 

 The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• The Postal Service is reducing its discounts by 1.1 cents for Standard Mail machinable (nonautomation) mixed AADC/ADC letters.
• The Postal Regulatory Commission undertakes a detailed examination of the USPS’ financial and service performance for FY2007 in new report.
• Saturation Mailers Coalition exec Donna Hanbery makes a case for insuring the viability of the U.S. Postal Service in this opinion piece.
• Don Soifer, executive director of the U.S. Consumer Postal Council, says the European Union’s postal liberalization efforts will bear fruit for the European consumer in terms of reduced postal rates.
• USPS Governors to meet April 1-2. USPS names new Pricing, Classification Service Center manager. Akerman Senterfitt Wickwire Gavin to hold annual USPS business seminar April 25.
• TNT files complaint with EU over Germany’s minimum wage.
• A list of upcoming postal-related events.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

AllAfrica.com has reported that "The Postal Corporation of Kenya has entered into an agreement to receive subscription payments on behalf of pay -TV service provider GTV."

The DM Bulletin has reported that "Fresh Royal Mail strikes look possible after the company decided yesterday to go ahead with a number of changes to its pension scheme without agreement from the Communication Workers Union."

As the Wall Street Journal has noted, "phones will soon tell where you are."

From Canada NewsWire: "The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is hosting a public forum on the future of public postal services in light of Canada Post's recent announcement to invest 1.9 billion dollars in capital expenditures to "modernize" the post office. "Management's vision of Canada Post is of a profit-driven commercial enterprise. CUPW's vision is of a service-oriented public post office," said CUPW National President Deborah Bourque."

The Trinidad & Tobago Express has reported that "A day after Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) promised to improve its delivery network at a cost of $4.7 million, workers at the Claxton Bay and Marabella delivery office protested unhealthy and unsafe working conditions."

Reuters has reported that "Royal Mail said on Thursday that it would close its final salary pension scheme to new members from the end of this month. The Royal Mail's pension scheme is the UK's largest corporate pension scheme by membership, with 45,000 members. But longer life expectancy and a sharp rise in pension costs has forced the state-owned postal group, which lost its 350 year monopoly on postal services in 2006, to close the scheme. The proposal to close the pension scheme, which has a 5 billion pound deficit, to new members was initially bitterly opposed by workers and prompted them to strike, but was subsequently agreed with unions as part of a wider agreement on pay and modernisation."

As the Watford Observer noted, "Schools in Watford currently closed during their Easter break may discover they are missing post when pupils return to class next month. Primary, junior and secondary schools were once offered a free Keepsafe service from Royal Mail, whereby their post was collected at the sorting office and delivered when they reopened after a holiday. Royal Mail, however, have begun to charge schools for the service and as many have failed to open an account, their undelivered mail is being destroyed unless the letter or parcel has a return address."

Forbes has reported that "The European Commission said it is studying a complaint from Dutch group TNT NV regarding minimum wages in the German postal industry."

The Financial Times has reported that:

• Royal Mail was spending too much time trying to keep competitors out of the postal market and not enough on meeting the needs of users, the postal regulator warned on Thursday. Postcomm said Royal Mail’s performance in rising to meet the challenges of competition had been disappointing. The former monopoly’s recent focus had been on heading off competition, rather than adapting to compete with new forms of communication such as e-mail and messaging. Royal Mail reacted angrily to the accusations, saying it was operating in the most competitive postal market in Europe, with one in five letters now handled by private sector operators. (See also The Guardian and The Times.)
• Poor and disadvantaged customers are failing to take advantage of increased competition in energy, telecom and postal markets because of "complex tariffs" and a "lack of easily accessible, trustworthy, relevant information" ministers were warned today. A report by the National Audit Office, the parliamentary spending watchdog, expressed concern that 46 per cent of gas and almost 50 per cent of electricity was still sold to customers by their original monopoly supplier, in spite of increased competition.
• Everyone involved in the postal business agrees that the UK industry is at a crossroads, but as the independent government-backed review of the postal services sector is rapidly discovering, there is little agreement on the way forward. One in five letters is now handled by private sector operators, just more than two years after full competition was introduced - providing large savings for big mail users such as banks. Yet there is frustration among the new operators over what they see as limited opportunities for further expansion in a market where innovation is essential to tackle falling volumes. The slow erosion has begun to accelerate, as users switch to e-mail to send out bills and marketing materials.

Variety has reported that "Bunim-Murray Prods.' Documentary film unit is teaming with producer James Scurlock ("Maxed Out") and director Alexis Spraic for a film expose of the late Larry Hillblom, the globalization pioneer who founded shipping giant DHL. Hillblom disappeared after a 1995 plane crash."

March 27, 2008

The Postal Regulatory Commission's First Annual Compliance Determination has been issued pursuant to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act. You can find a copy of the full report on the PRC web site.

Advertising Age has reported that "President Bush has named Federal Trade Commission member William E. Kovacic as the commission's new chairman. Mr. Kovacic, a former FTC general counsel, replaces Deborah Platt Majoras, who is resigning March 30 to become Procter & Gamble's general counsel. Mr. Kovacic became an FTC commissioner in early 2006. As an existing commissioner, Mr. Kovacic's designation as chairman does not need Senate confirmation." [EdNote: Hey, Bill! If you've been a frequent speaker at the Rutgers University postal regulatory and economics conferences (and you have been), you might be a postal geek. Congrats, Bill.]

PostCom Members Only!!     PostCom Postal Podcast Number 01-08       PostCom Members Only!! Join PostCom President Gene Del Polito and Experian Postal Affairs Vice President Steve Lopez in a discussion of  the issues surrounding the preparation and entry of tabbed booklets (a.k.a. slim-jims) and other similarly prepared materials for letter-mail automation rates.

Reuters has asked: "Think your family going green won't make a difference? Wrong, says a U.S. study released on Thursday that shows one household ditching paper statements for Web transactions would save 24 square feet of forest a year. The PayItGreen Alliance said it believed this was the first detailed study commissioned to determine the impact of one individual household on the environment and it hoped to get across the message that every green step counted. The study found the average U.S. household receives about 19 bills and statements from credit card companies and banks every month and makes about seven payments by paper each month. By switching to electronic bills, statements and payments, the average American household would save 6.6 pounds of paper a year, save 0.08 trees, and not produce 171 pounds of greenhouse gases -- the equivalent of driving 169 miles."

Postcomm, the independent postal services regulator, has argued that fundamental reforms are essential if Royal Mail is to have a long-term sustainable future and the needs of all users of mail are to be met. In its first submission to the independent panel reviewing the postal services market, Postcomm has highlighted the positive impact for customers since the addressed letters market was opened fully to competition over two years ago.

The African Press Organization has reported that "Project Hope teamed up with Africa Partnership Station (APS) to deliver medical supplies, humanitarian and postal equipment, and much needed medical and technical skills to the people of Liberia."

The Hampstead and Highgate Express has reported that "campaigners and rival politicians have attacked Mps from Camden and Westminster who voted against a motion suspending post office closures."

TheNews.pl has reported that "Employees and management of the Polish Post meet tomorrow over a pay dispute, with a threat of a national strike hanging over the talks. Post office employees want a 700-zloty gross pay hike. The management proposed 300 zloty. The spokesperson for the Polish Post said that the company can offer no more for fear of losing liquidity. On Friday, the parties will start negotiations with the help of a mediator. According to Radio Opole, if a compromise is not reached, almost 90 percent of employees are threatening to strike. The Polish Post employs almost 100,000 workers, 70 percent of which, according to the data of the management, earn below 2,400 zloty gross (680 euro)."

The Financial Express has reported that "The Department of Post (DoP) proposes to invest its corpus of Rs 15,000 crore accrued through postal life insurance (PLI) and rural postal life insurance (RPLI) in the debt and equity. DoP, which would soon set up a special investment division, has roped in the SBI Mutual Fund and UTI as consultants for this purpose."

Reuters has reported that "Britain's Royal Mail said on Thursday that it would close its final salary pension scheme to new members from the end of this month. The Royal Mail's pension scheme is the UK's largest corporate pension scheme by membership, with 45,000 members. But longer life expectancy and a sharp rise in pension costs has forced the state-owned postal group, which lost its 350 year monopoly on postal services in 2006, to close the scheme."

Press Release: "IWCO Direct, the nation's leading provider of integrated direct mail production services and marketing solutions, can now offer customers the option to use paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) thanks to Chain-of-Custody (COC) certification at its facilities in Chanhassen, Minn.; Melville, N.Y.; and Elm City, N.C. COC certification ensures that paper originates from forests managed in a sustainable, environmentally responsible way."

DMM Advisory "Yesterday the USPS filed a response to the Postal Regulatory Commission’s review of the May 12 Mailing Services price change. Its response reduces prices by 1.1 cents for Standard Mail machinable (nonautomation) mixed AADC letters. The adjustment applies to Commercial and Nonprofit mail entered at origin or a DBMC. The Commission’s review is part of the new pricing process resulting from the Postal Act of 2006. The USPS response follows the Commission’s guidance for minor price adjustments to this type of mail. Once the Commission reviews our response, the Postal Service will update its price lists and postage statements. "

AFP has reported that "The French state-run postal service, La Poste, reported on Thursday a net profit of nearly a billion euros (1.5 billion dollars) and said it would pay a profit-sharing bonus to its employees for the first time. The company is also to pay 141 million euros, about 15 percent of its net profit, as a dividend to the state."

As Directions Magazine has noted, "the post office has a natural connection to location and an unbeatable advantage over geo-matics, spatial mapping and so on: postal carriers go regularly to all locations. Canada Post has established an electronic pedigree as well. epostTM serves about 4-million subscribed Canadians, delivering electronic bills for over 90-percent of Canadian large volume mailers. Canada Post also provides both an electronic courier service to securely transmit large electronic documents and an Electronic PostMark. To Canada Post, location intelligence has always been critical for moving things between people and institutions effectively and efficiently."

Do mailing in Canada? Then be sure to check out the National Association of Major Mail Users (NAMMU), which has launched a Transaction Mail Council to deal with issues that pertain to Large and mid-size lettermail and BRM users and suppliers of the domestic exclusive privilege products and International mail, specifically interested in the cost-effectiveness, efficiency attributes, and specifications of these products, as well as hybrid potential. For answers to questions or discussion of issues concerning transaction mail, contact: Shirley Neil @ seneil@hydro.mb.ca.

icWales has noted that "Postwatch Wales has said that Perthcelyn Post Office in Llanwonno Road, Mountain Ash, should not be lost in the wave of cuts across South Wales."

Forbes has reported that "EU internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has complained to France, Germany and six other member states over lack of competition in their postal services markets, his spokesman said. The other countries are Austria, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia, the spokesman said. 'The commissioner sent a letter to all 27 member states on postal services,' he said, adding that McCreevy singled out eight countries for criticism. EU countries have to implement the European Commission's liberalisation measures by Dec 31, 2010."

From the Federal Register: "On March 3, 2008, pursuant to their authority under 39 U.S.C. 3632, the Governors of the Postal Service established prices and classification changes for competitive products. The Governors' Decision and the record of proceedings in connection with such decision are reprinted below in accordance with Sec. 3632(b)(2). Implementing regulations will be published separately in the Federal Register."

The Department of State has posted the  U.S. Proposals for 2008 Geneva UPU Congress on its web site. Also posted is a list of Extraterritorial Offices of Exchange (ETOEs) located in the United States.

The Postal Regulatory Commission has posted the Postal Service's most recent reports on city and rural delivery statistics.

AllAfrica.com has reported that "The Postal Corporation of Kenya transfers on average Sh400 million a month through its electronic money transfer services. "This is our fastest growing business stream that continues to attract respected and strong brands in the market," said Postmaster General Fred Odhiambo."

KHON has reported that "Local airlines and the U.S. Postal Service are making contingency plans in case Aloha Airlines shuts down next week."

According to the Press of Atlantic City, "Tourists on the island will have farther to go for postcard stamps this summer. The city is closing the 46th Street post office in June to save $12,000 in this year's $60 million budget. Residents in the south end will have to drive 4 miles or more to the city's main office on Ninth Street or leave the island altogether to buy stamps or mail a package."

Reuters has reported that "Dutch mail company TNT NV said on Thursday it had filed a complaint with the European Commission about Germany's introduction of a minimum wage for all postal carriers, saying this violates EU rules. TNT, which is looking to exploit growth opportunities in Germany -- one of Europe's biggest postal markets -- said the German government's decision to declare the minimum wage generally binding violates the European treaty on competition."

The Oregonian has reported that "On Wednesday, the Portland Development Commission -- the city's urban-renewal agency -- agreed to start exclusive talks with the Postal Service about buying the property at 715 N.W. Hoyt St. Peter Hass, a Postal Service spokesman, says the mail carrier has signed the agreement, too."

As the American Chronicle wryly noted, "Many rural mailbox owners find themselves victims of what many perceive as legal vandalism. All too often, snowplow drivers miscalculate and smack a mailbox right off its post. Angry homeowners have little recourse because most municipalities will not pay for the damage. State and local governments feel that mailboxes are in the right-of-way of the road consequently they accept no liability. That´s an interesting argument considering the point of view of the postal service. Regulations state that a curbside mailbox must be accessible to the mail carrier from inside the vehicle. In essence, the government says, put your mailbox in the right of way, but we are not liable when a government vehicle or contractor hits it."

Europa Press has reported that the Spanish "Post Office has announced the launch of the new National Postal Express, a service that gives users the possibility to choose between three modes of delivery in order to adapt to the needs of each client. National Postal Express is designed for shipping packages as a matter of urgency, under signature of the recipient and a delivery time that does not exceed 24 hours for most destinations.The new service will unify in a single product the main features of two types of urgent packages, the Postal Express and traditional Prism National Post. As for the types of delivery, the first of which is the standard, which will take place at home or, failing that, at the post office; a second is called 'light' and guaranteed home delivery or return shipment to the sender and the third involves delivery to the office."  See also Base Financiera.

Press Release: "Swiss Post will reinforce its core brand appearance in future. The PostMail and PostLogistics flagship brands and most brands of the Swiss and international subsidiaries are to be grouped under the core brand. The PostFinance and PostBus flagship brands – which have been in place for a number of years – will continue to exist alongside the core brand."

Bloomberg has noted that "the U.S. Postal Service can't account for at least $33.4 million in facilities-repair and vehicle expenses last year because of weak controls and lax oversight, two reports from the agency's inspector general's office said. The Postal Service couldn't assure that any of the $27.6 million in maintenance and repair expenses at facilities examined by auditors were used for that purpose, according to one of the reports posted on the agency's Web site."

March 26, 2008

Union Network International has told its members that "As the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (DBERR) closing date approaches for its call for evidence from postal users, ONEPOST’s Managing Director, Graham Cooper warns of the importance of the review and the benefits of a liberalised market place." See also Hemscott.

From Sourcewire: "As the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (DBERR) closing date approaches for its call for evidence from postal users, ONEPOST’s Managing Director, Graham Cooper warns of the importance of the review and the benefits of a liberalised market place."

Bloomberg has noted that "The U.S. Postal Service can't account for at least $33.4 million in facilities-repair and vehicle expenses last year because of weak controls and lax oversight, two reports from the agency's inspector general's office said. The Postal Service couldn't assure that any of the $27.6 million in maintenance and repair expenses at facilities examined by auditors were used for that purpose, according to one of the reports posted on the agency's Web site."

Hellmail has reported that "Venturi Automobiles and PSA Peugeot Citroën have joined forces to supply Citroën Berlingo First or Peugeot Partner Origin-type electric vans in response to a tender from the French Post Office, La Poste. Issued in April 2007, the international tender initially involves the supply of a small number of test vehicles. Following a six-month trial period, during which the vehicles with be thoroughly tested, La Poste will select the supplier of 500 mail delivery vans."

According to the Monterey County Herald, "All politics is said to be local. Just ask the residents of Aromas, where the post office is in danger of being closed."

From Business Wire: "Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc. (PBMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc. has enhanced its solutions portfolio by providing a comprehensive set of bundled solutions and consulting services that meet the mail, print and document management needs of businesses today."

From PR Newswire: "ShipGooder.com has announced the launch of a new dimensional weight feature. In addition, ShipGooder.com announced a new function to allow visitors to specify a residential destination for their shipments."

USPS Press Release: Every accurate address enables the U.S. Postal Service to provide more efficient mail processing and helps mailers avoid wasted expense. In 2004, more than 9.7 billion pieces of mail were sent to undeliverable addresses of which over 600 million pieces were sent to “vacant” addresses—a house, apartment, office, or building not occupied for at least 90 days. To reduce that unwanted mail, the Postal Service has developed a new data table that is used with address matching software which helps mailers determine when they may be sending to vacant addresses. The new “no-stat” and “vacant” tables are available through Coding Accuracy Support System address matching software (CASS Certified™) as part of the Delivery Point Validation (DPV™) product. The tables are simple to use and can help mailers save on production and postage costs by reducing undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail. If an address is flagged as vacant, the recommended course of action is to remove that address from the mailing until it becomes occupied again.

As the New York Times has noted, "Last year, overall newspaper revenues dropped by about 7 percent, pushed along primarily by the secular change of readers and advertisers fleeing to the Web. And publishing, along with many other kinds of businesses, is now staring at a full-bore recession, led by the credit crisis that is fanning out across the economy. Publishing has been through some deep recessions before and has cut costs to maneuver through, but this time staffs have already been cut to the bone. Newspapers continue to gain on the Web in part because they have the best talent, the biggest news hole and the most comprehensive coverage. But that value, which gave many papers their near-monopoly, could be wiped out by a sustained downturn."

The Economist has reported that "The GPS Letter Logger is a device that uses the satellite-based Global Positioning System to find out exactly where it is. The probe takes advantage of the way that the electronic circuitry needed to build a GPS receiver has shrunk in recent years. The Letter Logger was developed by TrackingTheWorld, a company based in Burlingame, California. To travel undetected in the guise of a standard business letter, the device needed to fit into the most commonly used envelope (a number ten in America, which is about 100mm by 240mm). It had to contain no part thicker than a quarter of an inch (6.4mm) and be capable of a little bending. To complicate things, it also had to work in the vertical position, which is how letters travel in automated sorters. This means the circuit board would be edge-on to the sky, the worst position to pick up the satellite signals needed to triangulate its position. Moreover, the device needed to be capable of doing all this while inside buildings and vehicles."

Traffic World has reported that:

• Fuel cuts profit for FedEx Freight.
• Add soaring diesel fuel prices to a volatile mix of weak freight and cut-throat pricing and you come up with one of the most competitive marketing environments in years in the dog-eat-dog world of LTL trucking.

The Evening Times has reported that "Glasgow South MP Tom Harris has hit back after being branded hypocritical for supporting Government plans to close post offices. Mr Harris and other city Labour MPs who had complained about the Royal Mail's cost-cutting plans were slammed for failing to back Opposition MPs who want the closures postponed. Today Mr Harris said opposition politicians would be hypocrites if they ever admitted to buying a book of stamps in a newsagent, as the network was being cut back because many of its services were available elsewhere."

The BBC has reported that "Postal workers have sent letters to firms asking for support over the proposed closure of a sorting and delivery office."

Press Release: "Butler Mailing Services announced today that its eKEY® Technologies group received postal approval for their thirty second eKEY® mail piece design. eKEY® Technologies has more mail pieces approved for the automated letter mailstream than anyone else in the industry. The latest approval is for a Tri-fold Dual Disk Mailer capable of safely carrying two optical disks through the automated letter mail stream. The eKEY® product line is the most extensive in the industry with folded self mailers containing multiple pockets for disks and literature. Many eKEY® Mailers have been approved with catalogues or magazines stitched into them. The eKEY® product line also includes postal approved envelope mailers for carrying optical disks. For more information go to www.ekeymailer.com or call Todd Butler at 1-800-237-7914."

"The US must reinvest in its ageing, overused transportation networks or risk losing ground to the world's other leading economies, United Parcel Service's chief executive said. Scott Davis told the Financial Times that the nation's private sector should seek out opportunities to partner with transportation authorities to help modernise the infrastructure that underpins the US economy."

According to United Press International, "A former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to hiding more than 18,000 pieces of mail instead of delivering them over a two-year period."

The Trinidad & Tobago Express has reported that "the Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) is set to improve its delivery network at a cost of $4.7 million within the next three months."

The Enfield Independent has reported that "the fate of Enfield's post offices has kicked off a political row over who is really fighting to keep branches open. Last week, Enfield's MPs voted in the House of Commons on a Conservative Party motion calling for "Post Office Limited to suspend the compulsory closure of sub-post offices". Conservative MP for Southgate David Burrowes, who voted in favour of the motion, claimed Labour MPs Joan Ryan and Andy Love had failed to match their words with actions when they voted against the proposal to suspend the closures. However, Ms Ryan, MP for Enfield North, accused the Tories of "breathtaking hypocrisy" because they failed to match the Government's commitment to subsidise the Post Office network by £150million a year, without which thousands of branches could be threatened."

Press Release: "TNT’s Express division is introducing a new packaging line designed to better protect shipments from damage, promote the TNT brand across the globe and support the company’s environmental effort. TNT, which produces 50 million packaging items per year, is first deploying its new parcels and satchels in Europe and the Middle East. The new envelopes are available worldwide. Sales staff has received special training to give customers packaging advice. TNT also provides a DVD to help customers choose the right packing."

From PR Web: "Window Book Inc. announces the release of new postal rates in Postal Business Companion™ to help professional mailers prepare for upcoming changes on May 12, 2008. The Postal Business Companion software from Window Book includes an easy-to-use postal mailing and shipping rate calculator that lets you compare current rates vs. the new May 12th 2008 postage rates. Mailers can instantly calculate the rate changes in dollar amount and percentage ahead of the rate change and determine budget allotments."

WOAI has reported that a "mail truck fire destroyed thousands of letters and packages headed to San Antonio."

Hellmail has reported that "Bristol City Council in the UK, has switched from Royal Mail to TNT to handle all of it's second class post - but the mail will still be delivered by Royal Mail. The Council found that using TNT rather than Royal Mail to collect and sort the mail would save the city a considerable amount a year. TNT is able to undercut Royal Mail through what is known as 'downstream access' - where post can be put back into Royal Mail's delivery network for the 'final mile' - at a lower cost than the usual stamp price."

From eMediaWire: "Spending more on marketing during a recession has been proven to build momentum and stabilize sales, but with so many options, what specifically should small business owners spend their precious marketing dollars on? Executive business and marketing coaches Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller say, "Junk Mail is the answer.". With mailboxes brimming with junk and a postage rate hike slated for May, business owners wouldn't think that spending money to send "junk mail" could be the cornerstone of their recession survival strategy. The fact is though, sending offline communication to your customers and prospects may be just the thing to set you apart from your competitors and keep your market share strong during the slumping economic climate."

March 25, 2008

The U.S. Postal Service has "announced that Gregory A. Hall has been appointed as the Manager, Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC), to replace Edmund J. Wronski, who retired on February 29, 2008."

Bill McAllister, Washington correspondent for Linns, has reported that "The United States Postal Service has come up with a novel solution to a stamp collector’s complaint that the agency is making it difficult to send parcels at the less-expensive bound printed matter rate. In a statement filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission on March 7, Postal Service officials said they want to abolish the bound printed matter rate for single parcels mailed by private individuals. The point of such a change would be to make irrelevant a complaint filed by Douglas F. Carlson of San Francisco, Calif. He is a stamp collector and postal activist who has clashed with the Postal Service over a number of issues. Carlson filed a formal complaint in January charging that the Postal Service was violating postal law by not making the rate available to all postal customers. The Postal Service has tried previously to limit the rate to commercial mailers, saying it is largely used by them. The old Postal Rate Commission disagreed and said that the rate must be made available to all postal customers."

According to Direct, "A report released Monday by the Winterberry Group warns the use of direct mail may diminish as result of rising postage costs and declining response rates, unless the medium is made more efficient."

As Gibbons Stamp Monthly has reported, "The Government has announced that it will be selling its 40 per cent share holding in the company. The major shareholder after the privatisation of the postal services is complete will be the Lombard Bank."

Transport Intelligence has noted that "FedEx faces a challenging economic environment that includes persistently high oil prices, sluggish US growth and continued concerns in the credit markets," said FedEx Corporation chairman, president and CEO Frederick Smith. "We are managing our costs while positioning our portfolio of global transportation solutions to increase our profitability and returns once conditions improve."

The Daytona Beach News-Journal has asked: "Will paper mail be pennied, nickeled and dimed to death by the postage increases coming in May? Not likely, say area mail designers, processors and shippers. After all, a 1-cent increase in the price of first-class mail, raising it to 42 cents, is modest compared with the price craziness lately at gas stations and grocery stores."

According to Don Soifer of the U.S. Consumer Postal Council, "Instead of trying to cope with rising costs simply by increasing prices on captive consumers each year, however, the postal service could take a few pointers from its peers across the Atlantic. European posts are in the midst of a historic -- and potentially consumer-friendly -- movement toward postal liberalization."

According to the Texomas Homepage, "The price of stamps is set to increase by a cent this May, so many folks across Texoma are already stocking up on the forever stamps. They're in high demand. Not only by individual customers but businesses as well. Unlike bulkier or perishable products, stocking up on stamps gives people a way to lick inflation. With a postage increase around the corner the thought of purchasing forever stamps is starting to ring a bell."

The Financial Times has reported that:

• German prosecutors are investigating allegations that PIN, a private postal company, last year illegally financed the creation of a trade union as part of its failed bid to block minimum wage regulations in the postal sector. PIN allegedly made undisclosed payments worth about €133,000 ($204,000, £103,000) to the moderate GNBZ postal workers’ union, which was set up to rival Verdi, the powerful leftwing services union that organises most postal staff.
• UPS, FedEx and Deutsche Post's DHL, the trio of big integrated logistics companies, pride themselves on their vast global reach and indispensable role in facilitating international trade. But UPS's warning served as the latest reminder that their fortunes remain closely tied to that of the world's largest economy. More than 45 per cent of the world's shipments are tied to American companies, says John Mullen, chief executive of DHL Express. "The greatest worry for us is the US," he says. "The general US economic situation is of particular concern."

The North Country Gazette has reported that "Seven individuals have been charged with participating in a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme and with conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. Indicted are Dondre Green, Widley Francois, Michael Georges, Nigel Sookdeo, David Berry, Caddrick Spivey and Monique Thomas. Green was additionally indicted and charged with theft of mail by a postal employee."

The Colorado Springs Gazette has reported that "Owners of nearly one in 10 properties the city has billed for stormwater fees, including those owned by the U.S. Postal Service, didn't pay last year."

According to the President of the American Postal Workers Union, "Pursuant to the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA), the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has reviewed USPS price adjustments [PDF] scheduled to take effect May 12, 2008, and has recorded serious questions regarding the Postal Service’s methods of collecting data – data that is used as a basis for determining workshare discounts."

Radio New Zealand has reported that "The publicly-owned postal operator made $52.9 million in the six months to December, an increase of about 9% on the $48.4m for the same period a year earlier. Chief executive John Allen says domestic postal volumes continue to decline by between 3% and 5% per annum, and that rate is likely to accelerate."

The Times has reported that:

• Pension schemes that link retirement incomes to final working salaries have made generations of pensioners very comfortable. Yet final-salary pensions are expensive and, according to latest reports, so costly that the Royal Mail may be forced into liquidation by pension fund trustees unless the arrangements are reformed.
• Royal Mail fears that its finances are so bad that its pension fund trustees could put it into liquidation to pay off a £3.4 billion deficit. The postal group has told unions in private that it is possible that the trustees could be legally obliged to demand that Royal Mail be wound up to pay the bill.

PostCom has learned that Wendy Hocking, formerly secretary to the USPS Board of Governors, has rejoined the USPS staff and will serve as the corporate lead executive on matters pertaining to "do not mail."

March 24, 2008

As the Journal and Courier has noted, "Advertising is undergoing dramatic changes, and those changes have as much to do with how people shop and the changing retail landscape as with the wider assortment of media choices that advertisers now have."

Items of note from the PostInsight web site (another valuable postal information resource):

• Paul Champsaur, Chairman of ARCEP, "Regulation, Competition and Universal Service in the Postal Sector" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008
• Bouckaert, Jan, "Price Discrimination Bans on Dominant Firms" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• D'Alcantara, Gonzales, "Feasible financing of the USO after Full Postal Market Opening: Empirical Analysis" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• De Donder, Philippe, "A Welfare and Pricing Analysis of Value Added Taxation in Postal Services" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• Gautier, Axel, "Strategic Bypass Deterrence" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• Lecou, Sébastien, "Transfer Pricing and Governance in the Postal Sector" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• Panzar, John, "Interactions between Regulatory and Antitrust Policies in a Liberalized Postal Sector" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008.
• Pearsall, Edward, "A Contestable Market Model of the Delivery of Commercial Mail" IDEI conference, Toulouse, 14th March, 2008. 

Air Cargo World has reported that "UPS paid $254,000 to a former mechanic and alleged whistleblower who filed complaints about the company with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The mechanic claimed he was terminated after complaining about unsafe trucks at the company's Watertown, N.Y., terminal, and alleged UPS violated federal whistleblower protections."

High postage costs, diminished consumer response rates and increased “clutter” in the mailbox are collectively presenting direct mailers with a daunting challenge: Improve the performance of your campaign execution processes, or lose ground to competitors with deeper, more efficient marketing platforms. For many, the solution to that challenge rests in applying established production tools in a whole new manner. That’s the finding of a new white paper release this morning by Winterberry Group, a leading New York-based strategic consulting firm serving the marketing industry. The white paper, entitled A Strategy for Savings: Postal Optimization and the Future of Direct Mail, explores the very significant opportunities now emerging around the development of comprehensive postal optimization strategies, which integrate multiple cost-saving direct mail production techniques— like commingling, copalletization and drop-shipping—in a manner that drives unique incremental value for mailers both large and small.

From Prime Newswire: "I.D. Systems, Inc. has announced that it has received purchase orders from the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deploy I.D. Systems' Wireless Asset Net(r) industrial vehicle management system at 16 additional mail distribution facilities. The orders are cumulatively valued at approximately $5.4 million. Fulfillment of these orders will increase the number of USPS facilities deploying the Wireless Asset Net(r) system to 96."

Union Network International has reported that "More than 120 delegates from the CWU UK and more than 10 European countries met at a conference that had been organised by the CWU to consider the changes the union needed to propose with the review of the postal service currently being undertaken in the UK. Presentations from Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Germany, France and the UK regulator Postkom along with a presentation from Royal Mail, fuelled a very lively discussion on how the liberalisation that was now taking place in Europe would affect workers and their employment."

The British Royal Mail will sell 40 post office buildings due to continued financial losses totaling $140 million annually. The sales should be worth nearly $40 million, The Times of London reported Monday.

The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will meet in Washington, DC, at Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW, on April 1-2, 2008. The public is welcome to observe the Board’s open session, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. on April 2 in the Ben Franklin Room on the 11th floor.

myHimachal has reported that "With the Indian postal services already offering deposit and savings schemes, the government is likely to soon float an Indian Postal Bank as the matter is awaiting approval of the finance ministry."

From eMediawire: "Window Book Inc. announces the release of a new postage rate increase analysis tool in the Complete Postal Library™ software to help big mailers prepare for upcoming changes in May. This mailing and shipping software will let you compare current rates vs. the new rates that go into effect May 12, 2008. The special rate compare technology allows you to see the rate changes instantly in both dollar amount and percentage so that you can plan your postage budget before the new rates take effect."

Hellmail has reported that:

The Spanish postal operator Correos has introduced five bright yellow, electrically powered delivery vans and nine adapted bicycles to it's postal service fleet. The trial of ecological vehicles is to run in Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Seville, Granada and other locations.
An international effort is underway to help restore postal services in Liberia which had been virtually destroyed by civil war. Amongst those lending support has been Swiss Post which donated six mobile post offices in 2007 and Deutsche Post, which donated 10,000 EUR to help equip newly reopened offices. Even Korea donated some 40,000 CHF from its Quality of Service Fund to help finance the purchase of vehicles, scales and stamp cancellation equipment. The US recenctly despatched (by US Navy ship), 35 pallets of Post Office boxes and postal equipment. The Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation printed Liberia's first post-war stamps last year, and donated 12 vehicles. Nigeria has been provided training to a number of postal staff.
Russian Post and American company Red Hat signed the Protocol of intentions on IT development based on open freeware earlier this month. Andrey Pogodin, Deputy Director General of FSUE Russian Post and Jim Whitehurst, President of Red Hat signed the document within the framework of meeting. The parties agreed to join efforts to implement operating system Linux and other software products with open code in Russian Post’s IT-structure.
Royal Mail is to implement proposed changes to it's pension scheme in 7 days time. On the 31st March 2008, the existing pension scheme will be closed to new entrants. Royal Mail say that closure to new entrants is one of a range of changes that are essential if Royal Mail is to stabilise the growing deficit, and to protect as far as possible, the pension provision of existing employees.

If you haven't find your way there yet, you really ought to check the postal website with the really funky name. It's called Hellmail. Yes, I know, but once you get over the name, you'll find out that it's a postal information rich site that's worth regular visits.

According to The Journal, "Mark Allen, manager of postal operations, said that one reason the Post Office in Harper is being put on emergency suspension is due to a funding shortfall in the entire United States Postal Service."

March 23, 2008

Hellmail has asked: "So why are we closing post offices and why are mail volumes falling - in real terms? A decline in the letters market is being felt globally, not just in the UK - even the US postal service is feeling the pinch. There are many reasons why mail volume is seeing a slump. Technology is now moving so fast, whatever we buy today is quickly outmoded the following day, making it extemely difficult (at times) to know what to buy. The same rules must apply to postal operators trying to decide which equipment to invest in. For a workforce used to little change, and a working environment that bore little resemblance to most industries in the private sector, suddenly finding themselves being shoehorned into a more accountable and leaner business hasn't gone down well. To a large extent, the union and the workforce called all the shots. This rapid erosion of power, and the realisation that things will change beyond recognition, isn't that far removed from the introduction of machinery in the textile industy, reason perhaps why postal workers are so often compared to or described as 'luddites'."

For those who think that mail is a dying technology, it might be worth reading "Why Old Technologies Are Still Kicking" in the New York Times.

According to The Day, "Robyn Engel knew she faced an uphill battle, but that didn't stop her. Engel, a senior at East Lyme High School, wants to relocate the town's Boston Post Road post office, because she thinks it's unsafe. So, as an academic project, she's taking on one of the most bureaucratic bureaucracies in the country — the U.S Postal Service. And not surprisingly, the hill Engel has to climb is steep."

March 22, 2008

The Newsletter has reported that fears are growing that dozens of post offices in Northern Ireland could be facing the axe. A major announcement is expected on April 1 – and the mood is gloomy in the wake of a controversial Government cull in Great Britain."

March 21, 2008

Pursuant to 39 C.F.R. §§ 3020.90 and 3020.91, the United States Postal Service hereby gives notice of a change in classification established by the Governors. The change requires that all Bound Printed Matter mailings, not just those that are destination-entered, be paid by mailing permit, effective May 12, 2008. The Postal Service hereby submits to the Commission a conforming change in the Mail Classification Schedule. The Postal Service believes that the change is consistent with 39 U.S.C. § 3642 and should be incorporated by the Commission into the MCS.

PMG Jack Potter has announced the selection of Steven Forte as Vice President, Area Operations, New York Metro Area. Forte is currently Manager of Operations Support for New York Metro and will succeed Dave Solomon, who retires April 3.

The New York Times has reported that "after reading about how Internet companies like Google, Microsoft and Yahoo collect information about people online and use it for targeted advertising, one New York assemblyman said there ought to be a law. So he drafted a bill, now gathering support in Albany, that would make it a crime — punishable by a fine to be determined — for certain Web companies to use personal information about consumers for advertising without their consent."

The Financial Times has reported that "A rebellion by Labour Mps against contentious plans to shrink the post office network saw the government's majority reduced from 67 to 20 last night, in a vote on a Conservative attempt to impose a freeze on closures. About 20 Labour backbenchers defied the government whip to support the Tory motion calling for a halt to plans to close 2,500 post office branches. The scale of the revolt underlined the political sensitivities of the issue. Ministers yesterday gave the go-ahead for local authorities to rescue loss-making post offices. John Hutton, the business secretary, wrote to the state-owned company saying that the government "encouraged" it to "engage with local authorities" that wanted to take over services from branches threatened with closure."

The Edge Daily has reported that "Pos Malaysia Bhd, whose share price continues to languish, is expected to register better earnings and growth beginning 2009 following its modernisation plans and the unfolding of Transmile Group Bhd's turnaround."

The Gazette has reported that "The future of the post office in this small Keokuk County town is in limbo, with its doors scheduled to close today at least temporarily and perhaps for good. But the town's 144 residents are not letting it go without a fight. "It's our heartbeat, and we need to keep our heart beating in this town," said Mayor Shirley Altenhofen, who has written letters to Iowa's two U.S. senators and who started a citywide petition to save the post office. "We have no newspaper, no coffee shop, no barbershop, no place to put notices for meetings," she said. "This is where we get our information."

Hellmail has reported that "Poste Italiane and Egypt Post have signed an agreement for the technological development and improvement of Egypt's postal service. The partnership is supported by Finmeccanica, a leading Italian group which delivers technological systems and platforms applied to a variety of production sectors. The international agreement signed by Poste Italiane with Egypt's postal service provider is aimed at promoting an overall improvement in the quality of mailing, and increasing the system's innovation, including through the introduction of value added services. The partnership between Poste Italiane and Egypt will take the form of regular bilateral consulting sessions and joint technical working groups which will allow for the sharing of technical information and the diffusion in Egypt of more advanced solutions which can be implemented within the postal sector."

From Business Wire: "Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c86422) has announced the addition of 'Snapshots Japan Postal Services 2008' to their offering. Snapdata's Snapshots Japan Postal Services 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Japanese postal service market, and covers postage of domestic letters, parcels and international mail. Market volume is based on units delivered.

Yahoo! Tech has said: "Guess who's not in favor of a "Do Not Mail" registry—besides by-mail marketers, that is? Believe it or not, it's the U. S. Postal Service, according to a recent report. And environmental groups aren't too keen on the idea, either."

The Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier has reported that "A federal official is warning Iowans to be watchful when opening their mailboxes. That's because various homemade bombs have damaged mailboxes throughout the state. U.S. Postal Inspector Sam Owens says as many as 20 incidents have happened around Iowa over the past month. No injuries have been reported. Most of the mailbox bomb incidents were in Clay County, where five juveniles were charged and are awaiting trial."

WHDH has reported that "Police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating four bombs that exploded in mailboxes in Lexington neighborhoods. Police said local teenagers made the bombs with household cleaners and antifreeze. Not only are authorities concerned about the explosions causing injuries to residents, but it's also a federal offense to destroy a mailbox."

The Daily Times has reported that "After hike in oil and power tariff, the state-run postal service ‘Pakistan Post' has increased commission for its various services across the country to meet expenses and announced new rates to be affective from 18 March, it is learnt. The new increased rates will effect twenty million customers, especially in rural areas of Pakistan where Pakistan Post is the only courier service."

March 20, 2008

As the Arizona Business Gazette has noted, "Understanding the postal game is vital. Rates and rules are scheduled to change again May 12 when the price of a one-ounce first-class stamp goes to 42 cents, from 41 cents. U.S. Postal Service business mailing rules are complex, and many of the recent changes have served to benefit business mailers." [EdNote: Here's a tip. Join PostCom. Then you'll never have to worry about being out of the know.]

Check out the next (Women in Logistics and Delivery Services) WILDS event. 5:00—7:30 pm Venable LLP, Room W8021 575 7th St NW, Washington DC Cost: $25.00 per person for WILDS members ($30.00 per person for non-members) RSVP by April 21.

• The PRC this week issued its first review of the USPS price adjustments using the ratemaking flexibility provided by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act that allows the Postal Service to annually adjust rates for market dominant products as long as the increases for each class of mail are under the rate of inflation, as determined by the Consumer Price Index.
• The Postal Service this week launched a ‘green' pilot program that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. Teamed with Clover Technologies Group, the "Mail Back" program helps consumers discard small electronics in an environmentally responsible way without paying for postage.
• The Postal Service this week launched a ‘green' pilot program that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. Teamed with Clover Technologies Group, the "Mail Back" program helps consumers discard small electronics in an environmentally responsible way without paying for postage.
• Postal commentator Gene Del Polito takes aim at some of the myths surrounding paper-based direct mail.
• PRC report due in June. Latest IG reports available.
• EU Commission criticizes Deutsche Post's VAT exemption. France's La Poste eyeing Germany's PIN Group.
• Direct Logistics is newest PostCom member.
• A list of upcoming postal-related events.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

The Liverpool Echo has reported that "a furious row has erupted over plans to close city centre post offices. Riverside MP Louise Ellman accused Post Office Ltd of reneging on a deal to hold fire on the closure of the Mill Street and Soho Street branches. She claimed that postal officials had ignored an instruction from watchdog Postwatch to defer both decisions until a consultation, due to be completed by early summer."

According to Reuters, "Dutch mail and logistics company TNT NV has more to gain by staying in Germany despite competitive snags as buoyant growth prospects will make up for a shrinking business at home in the Netherlands."

The Wall Street Journal has reported that "FedEx Corp. reported a 6.4% drop in fiscal third-quarter net income amid a year-earlier tax benefit and said fuel costs and a weakened economy will continue to pressure results. As a result, the shipper projected fourth-quarter earnings below analysts' estimates, sees "limited earnings growth" in the upcoming fiscal year and will cut planned capital spending in the current year by another $100 million." See also the Financial Times.

Three cheers for the Battle Creek postmaster who wrote a letter to the editor of the Battle Creek Enquirer ans said: "As postmaster of Battle Creek, I find it very interesting that the Enquirer would support a campaign to eliminate bulk business mail ("Do not deliver," March 18 editorial) as that would only create a need for advertisers to use the newspaper to get their advertisement to the general public. Every time I open up my newspaper, there are unwanted advertisements. The same thing could be said of the newspaper ads as bulk business mail. They should be reduced for environmental reasons."

According to the Hierofont Rural/Postal News, "In the past week, Postmaster General Jack Potter and members of Headquarters staff have had conference calls with each USPS district manager and district staffs with direct instructions to reduce supervisory positions within each district. Each district has been given a target number of supervisory positions that must be eliminated ranging from 26 to 47 positions per district."

CNNMoney has reported that the "U.S. Postal Service has awarded a one-year, estimated US$6 million IT services contract extension to Nortel Government Solutions. This extension for services to support the PostalOne! Automated mail handling system follows a one-year, US$9.6 million extension in 2006."

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, "Shipping and mailing costs have been going up lately along with the price of fuel, so the Postal Service is clearly trying to win away some business from its commercial rivals. Shipping and mailing services are all feeling the pain of a slower economy, and they're hungry for business — and savvy company owners know how to turn a difficult situation to their advantage."

Transport Intelligence has reported that "Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN) has announced its intention to increase the company's investment in Williams Lea, a leading worldwide provider of corporate information solutions. DPWN already owns some 66% of the business."

The U. S. Postal Service has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission its statement, as required under PAEA, on "nonpostal" services.

PostCom welcomes its newest member:  Direct Logistics, Inc. P.O. Box 612488 Dallas, TX 75261-2488  represented by Glenn Lemons, President

In response to The Washington Post's March 19 article, "Efforts to Block Junk Mail Slowed", the Direct Marketing Association said:

"it's important to note that DMA vehemently opposes any legislation proposing a Do Not Mail registry. Our direct marketing community has demonstrated that it is more than capable of self-regulation and does not require legislation to manage advertising mail. DMA has been and will continue to keep all communications lines open with those who are focusing dialogue on national "do not mail" efforts. We believe that our position has been well-stated with those directly involved in this issue. DMA's efforts to be viewed as the leader in consumer choice for managing mail are apparent at dmachoice.org, our free online registry for consumers to express their preferences -- ensuring information consumers receive through the mail is what they want, and at the same time, reducing wasted paper. There are over 3000 DMA member companies committed long-term to using this system which has a long standing track record of delivering what it promises. Direct marketers are listening to consumers and responding proactively to concerns about volume and choice of mailings, clearly demonstrating relevant and responsible business practices. Do Not Mail legislation clearly would adversely affect the economy, with a direct impact on the nine million jobs related to direct marketing."

The Evening Standard has reported that "Postal voting is so open to fraud that international observers who monitor suspicious elections in Eastern Europe have called on the Government to take urgent action."

March 19, 2008

The World Mail & Express Europe program is available online

Press Release: "Smart packaging choices most significantly benefit companies that mail large volumes of lightweight objects, like Cds, DVDs, software and games in their traditional cases. These solid objects packaged in a box or padded mailer do not pass the requirements demanded by the USPS automation processing equipment, and will cost $1.36 to send by standard mail as a parcel as of May2008. The Conformer media mailer brings postage costs down to $0.52, saving 62%, because the package now passes as an automated flat." (Read more here. Further details also are included in this online presentation.)

According to postal commentator Gene Del Polito, "Over the past year or so, the print communication industry has been under pressure (i.e., attack) to address its carbon footprint. Some who are not particularly well informed (but may otherwise be well-meaning) and others who absolutely haven't a clue and couldn't care less, have been decrying print-based communication, and particularly printed advertising, as an environmental pariah, and they've called on government to limit businesses' free commercial speech."

As CourierExchange has noted, "A new round of postal strikes at Royal Mail could be on the cards over pension changes, meaning that other courier companies could benefit."

According to bMighty, "More and more businesses are banking on online advertising to generate interest -- and revenue. Smaller businesses can no longer afford to ignore this cheap, easy, and very effective way to connect with their customers, drum up business, and develop their brand."

According to Hellmail, "Pressure on the British government to scrap or amend the VAT exemption currently enjoyed by Royal Mail and criticised by TNT Post and other postal operators in the UK, is likely to increase after the EU commission recently criticised Germany for hampering competition with a VAT exemption for Deutsche Post. "The VAT exemption will certainly be an important factor in drawing up a new framework that aims to see a loosening of regulatory control. Postcomm's aim is to reduce regulation and help induce greater competition but it is also important to realise that Royal Mail is still providing the universal service (USO). For that reason alone, there has to be some kind of concession if the regulator does not envisage that the cost of providing the USO should be split amongst operators."

From PR Newswire: "Valpak will partner with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to collect food donations and deliver assistance to communities across the United States."

Traffic World has reported:

• Deutsche Post World Net's plan to split its $40 billion a year logistics and freight forwarding operations into two units doesn't necessarily signal the German company's intention to sell one or both of those businesses. Not yet, in any case. The move announced this month is probably more reflective of the difficulties Deutsche Post has had in solidifying its position in the U.S. market and in realizing cost savings and synergies among its contract logistics, freight forwarding and express delivery units.
• As Deutsche Post World Net mulls how to answer its DHL question in the United States, experts say shippers may be the big beneficiaries if still-steeper discounting moves through the air express business. "For antitrust reasons we don't believe that either UPS or FedEX could buy DHL's North American assets or complete book of business," Bear Stearns' Wolfe said. "More likely DHL will seek to further stem losses by reducing its commitment in the United States through cost reductions/restructuring and partnerships (outsourcing some line-haul and pickup and delivery), while making it clear they intend to remain in the United States. Look for it to reduce terminals and push more freight towards the ground."
• ABX Holdings earned 8 percent less from operations in 2007, primarily due to reduced services for its principal customer, DHL.
• Reverse logistics specialist Newgistics expects to gain unprecedented access to one of the most intricate distribution networkds in the world, the delivery system operated by the U.S. Postal Service, with its acquisition of Cornerstone
  Shipping Solutions.   

RedOrbit.com has reported that "The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has a number of tools at its disposal to ensure that letters and packages get from Point A to Point B on time and in one piece. Web tools and other technological advances allow for easier shipping and tracking of materials, but it was the use of Six Sigma tools that allowed USPS to enhance customer service by improving on-time delivery at an air mail processing center (AMC). Specifically, the largest contributors to delivery failures were examined and reduced at the AMC in Columbus, OH."

CEP News (Courier-Express-Postal), published by the MRU Consultancy, has reported that:

Österreichische Post was able to increase its turnover and pre-tax result by around one third last year.
2007 was not a very good year for Post Danmark.The post lost 20% on the previous year's operating result.
The French La Poste has confirmed its interest in ailing mail service provider Pin Group.
During 2005 and 2006, U.S. Postal Service was shoving 17.8m USD down the throat of FedEx - needlessly.
Deutsche Post intends to give up almost all of its own branches.
Chronopost, the express subsidiary of the French La Poste, has introduced a new product designed especially for eBay customers.
Only days after the first trial parcel machine went up (CEP News 11/08), Finland's Itella has installed a second identical machine in the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Last Wednesday, the EU Commission granted permission for Hermes Logistik Gruppe to buy into Swiss Post Porta.
GLS parcel service is putting up its prices for business customers in Germany by 3.8%. The Royal Mail subsidiary said the new prices would apply to domestic and international consignments from 1 April.
FrederickW. Smith, founder of FedEx Corp., has joined the list of the world's richest men. With a fortune of 2.4bn USD, Mr Smith appears as number 390 in business magazine »Forbes« list of billionaires.

The MRU, founded in 1992, is the only consultancy in Europe, which has specialised in the market of courier-, express- and parcel services. For large-scale shippers and CEP-services in particular, the MRU provides interdisciplinary advice for all major questions of the market, as there are for example market entry, product design, organisation, and EDP.To learn more about the stories reported above, contact CEP News. (We appreciate the courtesy extended by CEP News to help whet your appetite for more of what CEP offers.)

The Washington Post has reported that:

 "Barred by law from lobbying, the Postal Service is nonetheless trying to make its case before a growing number of state legislatures that are weighing bills to create Do Not Mail registries, which are similar to the popular National Do Not Call Registry. The agency has printed 3,000 "information packets" about the economic value of standard mail, with specific data for each of the 18 states that have considered a Do Not Mail Registry. It has dispatched postmasters to testify before legislative committees around the country.

"Perhaps surprisingly, environmental groups -- whose members say they are concerned about junk mail -- are cool to the idea of a registry that prohibits marketers from sending mail to those enrolled and that fines violators. One reason may be that most environmental groups are themselves junk mailers. They use standard mail for their solicitation letters. A national registry "would affect anybody who mails," said Laura Hickey, senior director of global warming education at the National Wildlife Foundation."

24Dash.com has reported that "The Conservative Party will call today for the suspension of the controversial closure of 2,500 post offices because of the "concern and unpopularity" the plans have caused. An opposition day debate in the Commons will highlight protests against the closures, which have included demonstrations across the country as well as legal moves to keep branches open."

The Yorkshire Post has noted that "The suspicion is widespread that the European Union is contributing to changes that many people feel are unpalatable. It is clear that such a point of view is not wholly inaccurate. Two kinds of Europe are struggling to emerge. The post office network is a real and visible example of how European policies are coming home to roost on the doorsteps of ordinary working people in the towns and villages across the country. There were reports this week that 1,000 village shops now face the prospect of closure, and the issue will be debated by Parliament today."

Forbes has reported that "The EU commission is criticizing Deutsche Post World Net AG's VAT exemption, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reported, citing a letter the commission wrote to the German government. EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy has advised the German government not to hamper the opening of the EU's mail markets by unfair regulation."

Union Network International said that "more than 40 representatives of Post & Logistics trade unions from throughout Europe, took a message from their committee meeting being held in Luxembourg and delivered it to TNT management at the TNT Luxembourg depot. The committee was protesting the action by TNT to not pay the minimum wage set by the German Government for postal workers and TNT's efforts to subvert tis minimum wage by setting up a "ghost "union and a bogus collective agreement."

Here's an interesting opinion from OpEdNews.com: "The U.S. Postal Service is our enemy." [EdNote: Yes, the rest of the piece is a diatribe, filled with myths and untruths, about advertising mail.] See also American Chronicle.

In response to an Everett Herald editorial endorsing a do not mail registry, one reader noted that "I have heard people talk about a possible loss of jobs a do not mail registry could cause in the Postal Service and printing houses, but my concern is security. When I have to be out of town for a while, I stop my mail, stop The Herald and put interior lights on timers to make it appear as though the house is occupied. I would rather have all those flyers and letters come through the Post Office, where one call can stop 99.99 percent of them from being delivered while I am away."

The Gazette has reported that "Eastern Benton County is one of three places across the state where explosive devices have recently been found in mailboxes, the Iowa Department of Public Safety reported. Special Agents with the State Fire Marshal's Office have responded to numerous incidents in recent weeks to assist local law enforcement agencies with investigations."

AllAfrica.com has reported that "The Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) has intercepted fake foreign currencies valued at about N8,357,971,204.00 in Nigerian money which were shifted to Nigeria from different countries overseas."

"Green Ways to Move the Mail" Thursday, March 20, 2008, 6:30–8:00 p.m. At the National Postal Museum This discussion will focus on the environmental challenges of moving the mail with expert panelists from the National Postal Museum, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Ford Motor Company.

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Be sure to check-out the latest issue of Mailing Systems Technology magazine for its article on "The Do Not Mail Storm Is Brewing." It's good to see someone from the trade press take notice of this issue.

USPS.OIG: The following has been posted on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website (http://www.uspsoig.gov/): Postal Service Facilities Single Source Provider System (Report Number SAAR08004) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/SA-AR-08-004.pdf

March 18, 2008

Printweek has reported that "The prospect of more Royal Mail strikes and continuing disruption to the postal service could lead marketers to switch from printed direct mail to other media, according to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). But, Alex Walsh, the DMA's head of postal affairs, told printweek.com: "That issue only arises if there is further industrial action," adding that levels of direct mail have so far not suffered as a result of the strikes."

PostCom member Harte-Hanks, Inc., has announced that its direct response advertising agency, Harte-Hanks Direct, has been certified by the federal General Services Administration (GSA) as a provider of advertising and integrated marketing services. This will enable the worldwide direct and targeted marketing company to compete more readily for U.S. government agency contracts.

British postal regulator Postcomm has decided to allow Royal Mail to proceed, without further consultation, with the change to Special Delivery Next Day Service it had proposed.

From Business Wire: "Escher Group, Ltd., the leading provider of counter automation and business applications to the postal industry, today announced that 1,027 Contract Postal Units running RiposteEssential™ are now "live" in the United States. The USPS Contract Postal Units (CPU) offer additional access to postal services in areas that may not have a physical post office branch. The CPUs currently offer mailing services and stamp sales at more than 900 sites throughout the United States."

The Dallas Business Journal has reported that "The U.S. Postal Service is seeking a court order allowing the detention of incoming mail of Ad TelAmerica Inc. because, court records charge, the company is falsely telling businesses that they are in danger of being dropped from the yellow pages."

Newswireless.net has reported that "The Washington state Senate today joined with the House of Representatives to ban the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology as a means to collect personal data without the knowledge of the individual."

As Newsfactor has noted, "Despite years of hype about the impact of bloggers and the so-called Long Tail on the news business, traditional media sources are increasingly popular online even as their offline businesses continue to go south. The idea of "The Long Tail" was that a great multiplicity of blogs and citizen journalism sites could match or exceed the value of traditional news gathering. But the reality is "more complex," says the Project for Excellence in Journalism's new report, State of the News Media 2008. "Looking closely, a clear case for democratization is harder to make," the report said. "Even with so many new sources, more people now consume what old-media newsrooms produce, particularly from print, than before. Were print advertising losses to accelerate, it might even make sense three to five years hence to look at pulling the plug on print and rolling the dice on getting readers and advertisers to follow to a Web-only format. That would eliminate, in one swoop, the cost of paper, pressmen and circulation delivery -- perhaps as much as 35 percent of a typical newspaper's expense base."

The Telegraph has reported that "The post office is a lifeline for many, as well as a crucial part of business. To close 169 of them at a stroke should be counted an act of social vandalism. You can chip away at people's sense of cohesion for only so long, then they will take to the streets with banners. And that is what is happening around the country as a result of the scandal: 2,000 people in my area have signed a petition and the threat of closure has left many elderly people crying with frustration.  Why are we standing for this?"

Hellmail has reported that "Billy Hayes, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union has lent his support to London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who intends to begin a legal challenge over the closure of 171 post offices in the capital by Post Office Ltd. Hayes has also been critical of the way in which competition has been introduced to the UK's postal market and has been urging the government to carry out a full review of postal deregulation."

The Battle Creek Enquirer has published an editorial in favor of the anti-advertising mail campaign spearheaded by ForestEthics. [EdNote: People who live in glass houses (particularly one that depends mightily on advertising-based revenue) shouldn't throw stones.]

Sify Business has noted that "The ubiquitous post office is now expanding its role to offer a wide range of foreign exchange services including money changing, travellers' cheques, pre-paid cards and wire transfer services to the public. India Post and the Centurion Bank of Punjab (CBoP) on Monday entered into a strategic alliance to offer the latter's foreign exchange services through the post office network. A pilot project will now be launched in 31 Head Post offices in 11 States as part of this strategic alliance."

March 17, 2008

PRC: The Postal Regulatory Commission has noted that "Based on a review of the notice and supporting materials, including public comments and updated information submitted by the Postal Service, the Commission finds that the planned price adjustments do not exceed the statutory Consumer Price Index-based price cap of 2.9 percent for the 12 months ending December 2007. Under the PAEA and the Commission's regulations, the Postal Service may "bank" the difference between the cap and its planned price changes for use within five years."

As Forbes has noted, it's probably official. ""My personal opinion is that the economy is now in a recession," said Martin Feldstein, president and chief executive of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), in a speech in Boca Raton, Fla." [EdNote: Somehow, I imagine, many businesses had already known that.]

According to the Staten Island Advance, "Don't be surprised the next time the price of stamps goes up. A U.S. Postal Service policy requires that Staten Island letter carriers go to full-service gas stations every other time they fill up the tanks of their vehicles in order to make sure fluid levels are checked regularly by station attendants. With some stations charging 30 cents extra per gallon over self-service prices -- and a fleet of 338 mail delivery vehicles on Staten Island -- the USPS could be paying tens of thousands of dollars more per year than if letter carriers pumped their own gas and the USPS checked the oil."

Reuters has reported that "French postal service La Poste is considering taking over insolvent German postal firm PIN Group."

USPS.OIG: The following reports have been posted on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website (http://www.uspsoig.gov/). If you have additional questions concerning the report, please contact Agapi Doulaveris at 703.248.2286.

• City Delivery Vehicle Mileage – Base Versus Actual – National Capping Report (Report Number DRAR08004) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/DR-AR-08-004.pdf
• Equipment Maintenance Opportunities (Report Number DAAR08002) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/DA-AR-08-002.pdf
• Fiscal Year 2007 Financial Installation Audits – Post Offices, Stations, and Branches (Report Number FFAR08122) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FF-AR-08-122.pdf
• Oracle Processing – Application Control Review – Processing Phase (Report Number ISAR08005) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/IS-AR-08-005.pdf
• Postal Service Board of Governors' Travel and Miscellaneous Expenses for Fiscal Year 2007 (Report Number FTAR08008) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FT-AR-08-008.pdf
• The Postal Service's Equal Employment Opportunity Contracting Function (Report Number HMMA08001) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/HM-MA-08-001.pdf

Press Release: "Free and green. Those are the goals of a pilot program launched today by the U.S. Postal Service that allows customers to recycle small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge. The "Mail Back" program helps consumers make more environmentally friendly choices, making it easier for customers to discard used or obsolete small electronics in an environmentally responsible way. Customers use free envelopes found in 1,500 Post Offices to mail back inkjet cartridges, PDAs, Blackberries, digital cameras, iPods and MP3 players – without having to pay for postage." [EdNote: This is FANTASTIC! Kudos Postal Service.]

Here you go, postal historians, a new book. The Pony Express, A Postal History by Richard C. Frajola, George J. Kramer and Steven C. Walske; ISBN 0-911989-03-X; hard cover; vi + 165 pages; published 2005 by The Philatelic Foundation, 70 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018.

And if that wets your whistle, here's another. The Postal History of World War II Mail Between New Zealand and Switzerland by Robin M. Startup FRPSL FRPSNZ and Charles J. LaBlonde CphH; ISBN 0-9085887-3-9; soft cover spiral binding; iv + 131 pages; published 2005 by the Postal History Society of New Zealand Inc, PO Box 99673, Newmarket, New Zealand. This book deals with the transmission of mail between New Zealand and Switzerland, commencing with the immediate pre-war situation and following through the developments influenced by the course of World War II. Switzerland played a vital role in maintaining communications links between belligerent countries through the International Committee of the Red Cross, with its headquarters in Geneva.

And don't forget to take a look at the National Postal Museum's collection of World War II V-Mail correspondence. "V" for "Victory," a popular WWII symbol, was the inspiration for the name of this new-fangled correspondence style. The website features a flash timeline of V-Mail, an interactive flipbook that will take users through the process of how microfilm letters are created and comprehensive information about the practice of V-Mail during World War II.

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Media Daily News has noted that "Last week, a comScore study showed that younger people interested in news--a natural constituency in previous decades--are ditching print newspapers at an alarming rate. The good news: online newspaper sites are attracting many of these non-print readers."

The Sunday Mirror has reported that "Royal Mail bureaucrats are threatening to close a post office which provides a lifeline to thousands of troops fighting abroad. Officials want to axe the service at Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, because of government cutbacks. But troops whose families use the post office to send parcels and letters free to Iraq and Afghanistan are devastated. Last night Lt Col Dave Roberts, CO of 3 Logistics Support Regiment based at Dalton, said the closure would hit everyone hard."

According to the Red Wing Republican, "Five years after Congress approved the popular Do Not Call List to limit unwanted telephone calls, environmental groups and activists are calling for a national Do Not Mail List to slow the flood of junk mail. A Do Not Mail List also would have a major effect on the U.S. Postal Service, which critics say could be bankrupted if the plan was approved."

The Beckley Register-Herald has reported that "A spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service says the agency has not had any problems getting unemployment checks to recipients."

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Fraud isn't the only problem with relying on the mail for collecting votes. Just last week, the U.S. Postal Service lost more than 1,100 absentee ballots for a special state legislative election in Florida. Postal officials have no record of what happened to them."

The Peninsula has reported that "Low salaries and tough working conditions are prompting a number of Qatar Post (Q-Post) employees to quit."

March 16, 2008

According to one writer on the CBS News web site, the weekly newsmagazine, The Economist, is not getting delivered to him on time. "Whose fault was this? The Economist's? The U.S. Postal Service's? Nobody's? I don't know. Perhaps they ought to look into it and write a story about how they could speed up their home delivery if they started using a private delivery service instead of a bloated, unionized, labor-heavy government monopoly."

And now...for the latest in misguided advocacy--this time found in the Rutland Herald. Kudos for the Direct Marketing Association's Jerry Cerasale for his articulate response. Praise also to Vermont's Coleman Hoyt for his swift letter to the editor which is quoted below:

On the front page of the Perspective Section of today's Sunday Rutland Herald, you ran two opposing columns under the heading "When one man's ‘junk' is another's livelihood", one by Paul Burns attacking direct mail and the other by Jerry Cerasale defending it. You showed the traditional bias of newspapers against direct mail by inserting a large color photograph of Paul Burns in between those two columns, thereby giving three quarters of the debate space to a diatribe against the many Vermont taxpayers who earn their living by direct mail. There are two four letter words, both beginning with "j", which describe this old battle. The one you used is "junk" and the one you did not use is "jobs". Newspapers and direct mail are traditional competitors for advertising revenue. More than half of the weight of today's Sunday Rutland Herald consisted of advertising inserts. Would it not be reasonable to apply all of Mr. Burns' unsubstantiated arguments about the weight of direct mail in the same way to the weight of newspaper advertising inserts, and for that matter, to the weight of newspapers themselves ? There is an easy and accepted way to reduce the amount of direct mail one receives, as pointed out by Mr. Cerasale. But is there any way to reduce the amount of newspaper inserts one receives, other than refusing to buy newspapers?

Coleman (Bill) Hoyt is no disinterested party in this debate. Hoyt is a long-time member of DMA and PostCom and serves on PostCom's Board of Directors. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Continuity Shippers Association.

According to DubaiCityGuide.com, "Close Banner Ezimail is a unique mail service introduced by Empost that entails the personal delivery of mail directly from the central mail room to any location at the convenience of the customer. The leader in express courier and cargo and logistics in the UAE, Empost introduced Ezimail to ensure the arrival and delivery of mail to customers daily and regularly, without the need to visit the post office."

The Canadian Press has reported that "Canada Post is looking for a new weapon to protect its carriers from dogs, bears and the occasional violent human. The Crown corporation is asking manufacturers to come forward with alternatives to the small pepper-spray cans that posties now carry, which can be ineffective in a strong wind or when dogs move too quickly."

AFP has reported that "Germany's privatised postal service said Sunday it planned to sell hundreds of its branch offices to other companies but had no plans to cut jobs in the process. A Deutsche Post spokesman said it was stepping up an ongoing strategic shift by unloading the overwhelming majority of its 850 smaller post offices on local businesses such as supermarkets, bakeries or news agents. The new owners would then offer the same products and services alongside their own core businesses." See also the International Herald Tribune.

According to Dow Jones, "The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Thursday a majority of 175 workers at the United Parcel Service's (UPS) UPS ParsFreight terminals in Carteret and Moonachie, N.J., signed authorization cards to become members of the union. The Teamsters said it plans to negotiate a "strong contract" for the employees of the Atlanta package-delivery company."

The Bismarck Tribune has noted that "The Small Business Administration and the U.S. Postal Service are offering area businesses two seminars on Thursday designed to improve and develop marketing efforts. The seminars are "Direct Marketing to Grow Your Business" and "Going Online to Grow Your Business."

People's Daily has reported that "Germany and Russia have reached an agreement to relocate German carrier Lufthansa's Central Asian cargo hub from Astana in Kazakhstan to Krasnoyarsk in Siberia, the German Transport Ministry said on Friday. Under the agreement reached after two days of talks in the southern German city of Munich, Lufthansa cargo services should start to use the new hub within five months after the completion of modernization work at the Krasnoyarsk airport. Overflight rights for Lufthansa Cargo will be extended until the end of the 2008 summer timetable on Aug. 30 and Lufthansa Cargo will be granted new overflight rights to South Korea, the statement said."

According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "In years past, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service kept a low profile, quietly going about its job investigating fraud and criminal acts involving the mail system. The agency, however, has taken on a higher profile in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and telling consumers there is another agency working to protect the postal system from falling prey to nefarious uses."

Scotland on Sunday has reported that "private postal operators are calling on the Government to take a "brave" decision to end Royal Mail's monopoly on large parts of the market as it considers the future of Britain's mail services. Operators including TNT Post and DX, which employs a fleet of private sector postmen in Scotland, are pressing the Government to end the special privileges afforded to Royal Mail, such as VAT exemption, which they say prevent equal competition."

According to Bihar Times, "Private couriers, private money order and advent of mobile and internet have severely affected the postal services in Bihar, which registered 91 per cent fall in the postal traffic in the recent years. The volume of letter and parcel has declined by 95.7 crore between 2004-05 and 2005-06."

March 15, 2008

The Associated Press has reported that "German labor union ver.di Thursday threatened that postal workers at Germany's Deutsche Post AG will strike from April 1 over plans to increase their working hours."

DM News has reported that "The rallying cry for do-not-mail bills in several states grew stronger last week. A do-not-mail campaign to "stop junk mail" launched on March 11 with the support of celebrities including actor Adrian Grenier from HBO's Entourage and Daryl Hannah, known for her roles in Splash and the Kill Bill series. The campaign is the prod-uct of a nonprofit organization called ForestEthics. The mailing community has countered many of the cam-paign's arguments, highlighting the fact that direct mail supports the US Postal Service and its environmental impact is not as great as many other industries."

The Associated Press has reported that "Construction workers in the Czech Republic have made a discovery that should relieve thousands of foreigners. The reason they never heard back when they sent mail to this nation in 2001-2006 is not that they were jilted. The reason is the mail ended up in a train tunnel. The Czech Post said Friday that 60 postal bags of mail and parcels that were mailed from other countries were found by workers renovating the unused tunnel at a train station in the southeastern town of Breclav. Postal spokesman Gabriel Pleska called the discovery "unprecedented" and "shocking," and said police are determined to find out who is to blame."

March 14, 2008
 
 
The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• The USPS published in the Federal Register this week advance notice of proposed rulemaking on letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers to help rectify the jamming and damage problems caused by the increasing use of letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers known as “slim jims.” The notice said the Postal Service is developing and testing new automation standards for the items that more accurately characterize which pieces can be run on its main letter-sorting equipment.
• Using the flexibility granted by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act to set prices for its competitive products based on market conditions, the Postal Service this week announced new prices for shipping services. The new prices, which provide users with various discounts off retail prices and other incentives, are effective May 12.
• Members of the IDEAlliance last week met with senior postal officials in a continuing effort to voice concerns about the Postal Service’s decision to provide mailers with new wood pallets instead of plastic pallets. Mailers at the last two MTAC meetings have raised concerns about the new wood pallets, which frequently arrive at mailers’ plants damaged, are considerably heavier than the plastic pallets (throwing off tare weights and causing process issues with documentation), and cannot be processed by automated pallet building equipment used by major printers.
• A retired Postal Service executive corrects some of the misconceptions about advertising mail in this letter to the editor of the Washington Post.
• An uniformed author attempts to vilify the USPS in this recent commentary.
• Postal Service Vice President Joanne B. Giordano corrects the misinformation in a recent commentary.
• PRC to post new Strategic and Operational Plan. New IG reports available online.
• German court opposes postal minimum wage. TNT opens road connection to Ukraine.
• AddressVision, Inc., is newest PostCom member.
• A list of upcoming postal-related events.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

Royal Mail's new prices go into effect on April 7. Business guides and price guides are available on the Royal Mail web site.

From the Federal Register: "The Postal Service is developing new mailing standards for folded self-mailers, booklets, and folded booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. This notice provides advance information about the mail preparation changes to help mailers plan for future mailings. We must receive your comments on or before April 14, 2008. Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 3436, Washington, DC 20260-3436."

The Toronto Star has reported that "U.S. Postal Service facilities in California and three other Western states incurred $17.8 million (U.S.) in unnecessary costs by using FedEx Corp. aircraft to ship mail that could have been moved by truck, rail or passenger plane, auditors found. The post offices, which account for 14 per cent of all U.S. mail volume, also paid FedEx to sort mail when they could have done so themselves or prepared the mail properly before giving it to FedEx. Facilities in these states, including Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii, could save the Postal Service about $45 million over the next 10 years by minimizing use of FedEx planes and services."

From AllAfrica.com: "As the nature and composition of the Namibian workforce changes, a question being asked with increasing frequency is how prepared are both NamPost and Telecom to evolve their practices and policies to meet the requirements of employing and developing an increasingly diverse workforce?"

Domain-B has reported that "Of the 155,204 post offices in the country, 139,046 post offices are functioning in rural areas of India with an average coverage of 22.61 sq.km per rural post office. Since Independence, the Indian Department of Posts has expanded its network by over 664 per cent, becoming the largest postal network in the world."

India PR Wire has reported that "The Andhra Pradesh postal circle has decided to retail forest produce through its post offices."

Multichannel Merchant has noted that "ForestEthics Takes Aim At Catalog Lists."

March 13, 2008

ISO: Window Book Inc. is seeking DAT-MAIL™ mailing software experts to join its  team. "We offer competitive pay and we offer full employees great benefits. If you love DAT-MAIL and the mailing industry and want to join our team in a part time or full time capacity supporting other clients from your home or our office in Cambridge MA, please contact us."

Press Release: "A card in the mail is like an unexpected visit from a friend, a way to connect with absent loved ones that stands out among the digital clutter of voicemails and emails. Thanks to the United States Postal Service and HBO, Americans can rekindle the power of the written word with a greeting card to send a heartfelt, handwritten message to someone special — free of charge. For National Card and Letter Writing Month, the Postal Service is encouraging Americans to log onto poweroftheletter.com and order a greeting card. The card will be sent with a stamped envelope enclosed. Both the card and the stamped envelope are sent at no cost. Drop the mobile phone and PDA for just a minute and pick up a pen instead of sending an email or text message. The message you send via the US Mail can be saved for years or even centuries and not deleted with a simple keystroke."

Press Release: "Quad/Graphics will expand its Wisconsin operations with two major construction projects: a 192,000-square-foot expansion of its West Allis plant for the company's growing direct mail operations and, as previously announced, a new 388,800-square-foot distribution center in Menomonee Falls for cross-docking freight produced in its five Wisconsin plants."

The Sarbanes-Oxley Complaince Journal has reported that "AddressVision Inc. (AVI), a Bull Group subsidiary and a leading provider of postal automation solutions, has announced that Australia Post has chosen AVI to upgrade its address recognition and mail automation capabilities for processing the country’s letter mail."

CNNMoney has reported that "I.D. Systems Inc. has recived a contract extension from the U.S. Postal Service to continue deploying its wireless asset net industrial vehicle management systems in postal distribution facilities."

UPS has announced it has agreed to acquire its authorized service contractor in Romania, Trans Courier Service (TCS) SRL and will take 100% ownership of the company.

The Associated Press has reported that "AOL wants you to stop clipping coupons or even printing them out. The company is launching a new service, Shortcuts, for manufacturers to distribute coupons on the Internet. Instead of clipping them out of your newspaper insert, you can simply choose the ones you want online and add them to an account tied to a grocery store's loyalty program. To redeem those coupons, you simply present your loyalty card at the register."

As the Washington Post has noted, "Faced with declining circulation and ad revenue, the newspaper industry has been in rapid contraction."

According to Time, Inc.'s Jim O'Brien writing in Folio, "Recent data from the Postal Service indicate that Periodicals Class mail only covered 83% of its costs in fiscal year 2007. This news comes on the heels of the "cost based rates" that went into effect last July and were designed to reduce the Postal Service's costs. Many people in the industry are now wondering "What went wrong?" The answer is that "nothing went wrong," once three basic facts are understood."

According to the Register-Herald, "A manager with the West Virginia Bureau of Employment Programs Unemployment Compensation division confirmed Tuesday that some who receive unemployment checks have complained that they received the payments late last week. “This is not the result of a computer glitch, but rather it is a U.S. Postal Service issue,” said Gail Vititoe, a manager at the Charleston Unemployment Compensation office. “We cut and print the checks, send them to pre-sort and take them to the post office in Charleston the same way, at the same time, every week.”

The New Orleans Times-Picayune has published an editorial on the Postal Service's slow response to restoring service to Katrina-affected areas.

Reuters has reported that "Germany's Verdi services union said on Thursday postal workers would go on strike from April 1 if Deutsche Post does not grant concessions over working hours and give more protection over dismissals."

For a dose of good sense, take a look at the letter to the editor by Terry Carter (a former USPS executive) in response to the Washington Post piece on the Postal Service and "the weight of junk mail." Well done, Terry!!

Dow Jones has reported that "Package-delivery giant United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) said Wednesday that its first-quarter guidance will be difficult to meet if a sluggish trend continues in the U.S. but that it's confident in its full-year target and long-term growth prospects."

According to the Northern Echo, "people are being urged to share their views on a proposed shake up of post offices services in the region. Postwatch, the independent watchdog for postal services, is encouraging customers to have their say on Post Office Limited's consultation on the future of post offices."

UNI Post & Logistics has reported:

• UNI Post & Logistics is going through a number of changes and we want to update and improve the communications we have between each other. A vital part of this is making sure that the right information and communications are going to the right people in your union and that union members in the sector are well informed about the issues they are facing and are able to help their colleagues globally to understand the challenges and changes. You can find the home page of UNI Post & Logistics Global Union at: http://www.uniglobalunion.org/postal.

• UNI's German affiliate, Ver.di, has called for a proper investigation into the set up of the "ghost" union in TNT Germany, GNBZ. There are real doubts as to the validity of this union which TNT now claims to have a collective agreement with and which is being used in recent court cases as a reason to refuse to pay the minimum wage for postal services as determined by the German Government.

According to BikeRadar, "Deutsche Telekom is testing 14 fuel-cell powered Cargobikes in Berlin according to reports. As far as BikeRadar is aware, this is the first commercial testing of bikes assisted by hydrogen powered fuel cell motors that could lead to large scale commercial use. Potential uses include postal delivery services."

The Baltic Times has reported that:

• A debate has arisen whether Eesti Post, the state-owned postal company, should switch to a five-day delivery system beginning next month as a drastic cost-cutting measure. The company announced on March 4 in April it would deliver mail five days per week but continue delivering periodicals six days. Saturday mail service, Eesti Post, will be discontinued.

• The former CEO of Latvijas Pasts received a salary of 68,500 lats (94,500 euros) last year despite the company’s dire financial situation, which worsened over the 12-month period, according to reports citing a declaration to the State Revenue Service.

March 12, 2008

The Postal Regulatory Commission has announced that "Pursuant to 39 C.F.R. § 3015.2, the United States Postal Service hereby gives notice of changes in rates of general applicability and of concomitant classification changes for all competitive products. In accordance with § 3015.2(b), this notice  provides the Governors’ Decision establishing the changes, including a statement of explanation and justification, which orders the changes into effect on May 12, 2008. (Docket No. CP2008-3)."

The National Postal Forum...Register NOW!!

For the first time ever, the U.S. Postal Service is offering volume related or other price incentives for Express Mail, Priority Mail and other shipping services, effective May 12. These incentives are now possible as a result from a change in federal law, enabling the Postal Service to better compete in the shipping market. The new prices are available at usps.com/prices. Or, as the Postal Service told its own employees: "Forget everything you thought you knew about how the Postal Service sets its shipping prices. Starting May 12, it’s a brave new shipping world! We’re pricing to sell."

CEP News (Courier-Express-Postal), published by the MRU Consultancy, has reported that:

"We want to become the best in the industry". This clear message was given by Deutsche Post AG’s new CEO Frank Appel in his outline of the principal company strategy last Thursday. At the annual results presentation, Mr Appel said he would tackle the two most urgent issues over the next few months: the situation of DHL USA and "our luxury problem" Postbank. Mr Appel said he would present a solution for DHL USA by May at the latest.
Providers of universal postal services must enable their competitors to feed mail into the postal network at the same rate applying to big customers. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg reached this recently published decision (Case Ref. C-287/06 to C-292/06) in the matter of a lawsuit by a private mail service operator vs. Deutsche Post before the Cologne Administrative Court.
Frank Heemskerk, Junior Minister for Economics in the Netherlands, hopes that the Dutch postal market will be opened to competition from 1 July this year.
The provision of the universal service by Post Danmark does not represent a burden; on the contrary, it’s a great advantage. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by business consultants Copenhagen Economics on behalf of the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv). According to the study, Post Danmark incurs only marginal costs from the obligation to carry mail but has a great competitive advantage, as many customers appreciate the fact that the post reaches every single household in the country.
The aggressive launch of German meiller direct GmbH (2006 turnover: 112m euros, deficit: approx. 12.5m euros) appears to have caused some turmoil in the Austrian printing services market. While Österreichische Post sees the market entry as a significant extension to its product range and a "complete solution" for mail order firms and other big customers, other market operators fear that the post will take advantage of its market dominating position in the delivery segment and introduce dumping prices. Competitors claim that meiller direct’s market launch and deficit are financed from monopoly profits.
According to Emirates Post Holding Group vice chairman and president Abdullah Ibrahim Al Daboos, stakes in foreign freight and courier companies are top of the priority list for his company.
From April onwards, customers in New Zealand will have to adapt to a new pricing system for postal services. The new rates come into force on 28 March and mean that letters and parcels will be charged according to both size and weight. While postage for standard letters remains unchanged, large-size letters become more expensive due to higher handling costs, the post argues. International and bulk items are not affected.
In future, Deutsche Post customers will be able to purchase pharmaceuticals from mail order pharmacy Easy at selected post office branches.
French consumer organisations claim that La Poste loses 1.5m parcels every year.
The French La Poste has extended its position in the press distribution market.
Turkey’s post PTT is currently equipping parts of its delivery workforce with handheld scanners.
Last week Finland’s post Itella installed its first automatic parcel machine.
At its regular meeting this Tuesday, the Österreichische Post supervisory board appointed Carl-Gerold Mende as new board member with responsibility for Parcels & Logistics. Market observers see 51-year-old Mr Mende as the most favourable candidate for the succession of CEO Anton Wais, should he manage to successfully restructure the post’s parcel and logistics segment.

The MRU, founded in 1992, is the only consultancy in Europe, which has specialised in the market of courier-, express- and parcel services. For large-scale shippers and CEP-services in particular, the MRU provides interdisciplinary advice for all major questions of the market, as there are for example market entry, product design, organisation, and EDP.To learn more about the stories reported above, contact CEP News. (We appreciate the courtesy extended by CEP News to help whet your appetite for more of what CEP offers.)

The Wall Street Journal has reported that "With talk of a vote-by-mail do-over for the Democratic presidential primaries in Florida and Michigan, the mailing company Pitney Bowes Inc. wants everyone to know they are up to the task. The company of 35,000 employees that does postal processing put out a news release touting its “Relia-Vote Mail Balloting System.”

According to Recordnet, "Junk mail is more than just an annoyance. It's an environmental crisis, it violates personal privacy, and it fosters identity theft, according to a group spearheading a grass-roots campaign to create a Do Not Mail Registry. The effort is being modeled after the highly popular Do Not Call Registry that put the brakes on unsolicited phone calls five years ago." See also the Duluth News Tribune. [EdNote: This spurt of anti-advertising mail activity has been spurred on by the recent press release from Forest Ethics.]

The Washington Post has reported that "Watching video online has typically entailed viewing short snippets of celebrity news, music videos and homemade clips. But as streaming video becomes more popular, Hollywood is trying to figure out how to make its old business translate better online. Hulu, a joint venture of NBC Universal and Fox, debuts on the Web today with a large library of advertising-supported television shows, movies and other video. Hulu requires viewers to sit through two minutes of advertisements for a typical half-hour episode, or roughly 75 percent less commercial time than the typical prime-time TV show. Users of digital video recorders can skip commercials, but there's no fast-forwarding through Hulu."

According to Interactive Investor, "Deutsche Post World Net AG postal services rivals said they are considering suing the government for damages arising from a directive imposing minimum wages for all letter carriers."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has reported that " A federal grand jury indicted an U.S. postal employee yesterday for stealing Netflix movies from the mail."

The Federal Times has reported that "The U.S. Postal Service has ceased hiring at its headquarters and headquarters field units after projected financial losses were annouced by Executive Vice President Anthony Vegliante on March 7th in a memo to postal executives. Rising costs and a predicted loss for 2008 are blamed for the cutbacks."

The Gulf Times has reported that "the heads of postal corporations of the GCC States have backed Qatar in its efforts to host the Universal Postal Union's World Postal Congress in 2012."

The Press Association has maintained that "Competition in the postal industry has created 3,300 new jobs in the past four years and the figure could be doubled by 2016. Research commissioned by TNT Post found that the economic benefit to the UK economy of opening the market to competition is at least £229 million, which could rise to over £400 in the next few years. There are now 18 licensed competitors to the Royal Mail, although the report pointed out that the main postal group still delivers 99.8% of post."

Multichannel Merchant has asked: "What does postal reform mean to you? Yes, rate hikes should be much more manageable since they are tied to the CPI (Consumer Price Index). The 1% average postal rate increase for Standard Mail Flats – the category affecting most catalogers--that’s scheduled for May is proof of that. But according to a Feb. 29 postal Webinar, there will be a rate change every May; mailers should not expect the lighter increase on flats to be a trend; and the U.S. Postal Service is interested in any NSA (negotiated service agreement) proposals, encouraging mailers to think “outside the box.”

March 11, 2008

Unique Pakistan has reported that "The Pakistan Post has received over 1,000 letters for "international letter writing contest" and the selection committee will soon finalise the letters to submit it to Universal Postal Union (UPU). Assistant Director International Post Manzoor Hussain Khattak told here on Monday that the international letters writing contest titled `Why tolerance and forbearance is compulsory for our world" will be held this year in Switzerland."

The Associated Press has reported that "Nothing like a finding a bargain in stamps. The Postal Service says, shortly after plans were announced to increase first-class postal rates by a penny, sales of the Forever Stamp jumped by $95 million. The rate goes to 42 cents on May 12th. Before then, you can buy Forever Stamps for 41 cents each and use them without penalty after the increase. The Postal Service says it has sold $2.3 billion worth of the new stamps since they were introduced less than a year ago."

According to Stuff.co.nz, "Alan and Suzanne Norcott have lived in Howick for 20 years and are wondering why NZ Post has them living in Somerville. A number of residents have complained that NZ Post locations do not represent where they live and feel strongly about keeping their identity. The council has received a number of complaints from residents missing mail because of the changes. Spokeswoman Fiona Mayo says NZ Post is aware there are discrepancies between the council’s address databases and their postal address file. Ms Mayo said that "Once we are all happy we will update our postal address file. Unfortunately we cannot put a timeframe on that....In the meantime customers can use the suburb they have always used with the correct city and postcode."

The BBC has reported that "Up to 50 local authorities are looking at taking over post offices scheduled for closure, the leader of Essex County Council has claimed. Lord Hanningfield told BBC Two's The Daily Politics it was a case of councils "doing something people want". Essex County Council is considering reopening and running 15 post offices - among 2,500 which are earmarked for closure nationally."

PostCom welcomes its newest member: AddressVision, Inc. 201 Main Street, Suite 400 LaCrosse, WI 54601-0715 represented by Hank Martin OEM Sales Director

At least, according to The Coloradoan, they know paper CAN be recycled:

"Most paper types can also be recycled curbside. And in most areas of the county, you can place all the paper right in the same bin as the containers; no sorting required. Acceptable paper types include newspapers and inserts, magazines and catalogs, junk mail, paper bags, office paper, paperboard, and corrugated cardboard."

[EdNote: While we make take issue with the Coloradoan's reference to advertising mail as "junk," at least they're not promoting the kind of garbage you'll note below.]

The same also can be said of the Jackson Times (NJ), which reported the following:

"The county is optimistic that recent changes to the way the paper stream is collected should raise the amount of paincreases per recycled in the county even more. "Since the beginning of February, Ocean County residents no longer had to tie or bundle newspapers, junk mail and magazines for recycling," Lacey said. "Instead, all those items can now go in one bin. "We understand it will take some time for our residents and our municipalities to implement the change," he said, "but studies show this program will be successful in increasing how much of the paper stream is recycled," he said. "

From PR Newswire: "Five years after the national Do Not Call Registry became the most popular consumer rights bill in history, conservation group ForestEthics launched its campaign for a Do Not Mail Registry today to give Americans the choice to stop wasteful, annoying and environmentally destructive junk mail that also fosters identity theft. ForestEthics is urging Americans to sign a petition at http://www.donotmail.org/ demanding a national registry that will finally offer citizens control over the unsolicited coupons, credit cards, catalogs and advertisements that fill their mailboxes on a daily basis." [What a crock!]

According to Hellmail, "CWU cannot reverse pension reform."

24Dash.com has reported that "The social housing sector could save up to 58% on mail delivery costs and significantly reduce its carbon footprint with a brand new Postal Services deal launched by Procurement for Housing (PfH). PfH’s Postal Services Agreement will help housing organisations reduce their environmental impact by decreasing their transport requirements. This is done through electronic mail, a service which uses email to transmit documents for the greatest part of their journey before they are printed, folded, enveloped, addressed and sorted at the supplier’s plant, ready for final delivery."

Reuters has reported that "Austrian postal service Oesterreichische Post's operating profit in 2007 was up 32 percent at 162.8 million euros ($251.9 million), in line with forecasts. It said a major contribution to revenue growth was made by the consolidation of the trans-o-flex parcels and logistics operation acquired in 2006."

"At a cost of nearly $42 million, the IRS wants you to know: Your check is almost in the mail. The Internal Revenue Service is spending the money on letters to alert taxpayers to expect rebate checks as part of the economic stimulus plan," according to the Associated Press."

Dow Jones has reported that "Dutch postal company TNT NV said in a press statement Tuesday that its TNT Express business has become the first express integrator to open an international road connection to Ukraine to handle growing shipping volumes to and from one of Europe's fastest-growing economies. Connecting TNT's industry leading Express Road Network in Europe and Ukraine's largest overnight network, the new route will link Ukraine's major economic centers, such as Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa, to Europe and the rest of the world via Kiev and TNT's road hub in Warsaw, Poland."

The BBC has reported that "Thirteen post offices in mid Wales are the latest to be earmarked for possible closure as part of Post Office's UK-wide review. The changes are needed to make the network viable, says Post Office Ltd. The proposals also include establishing 24 outreach service points to replace some branches."

As the Los Angeles Times has noted, "In all of England, there is little so central to village life as the rural post office: The cheerful corner shop stuffed to the brim behind its battered oak counter with tidy rolls of stamps, express mail folders, and jars of gumdrops and homemade jelly. It is, aside from the pub of course, the principal destination for just about everyone just about every day, even if it's for just about nothing. It is a landmark one imagines has changed little since Henry VIII first established the "Master of the Posts" in 1516. The outposts serve as an enduring symbol of the Royal Mail's commitment to deliver 98% of all first-class letters within a single day and the neighborly, if eccentric, character of the English village."

The 24th Universal Postal Congress will be held from 23 July to 12 August 2008 in Geneva (Switzerland). More than 1,500 delegates from the UPU's 191 member countries will gather to discuss the major issues affecting the global postal sector today. The Universal Postal Congress is the supreme authority of the Union and brings together plenipotentiaries of all member countries. One of the major accomplishments of Congresses held since the first Berne Congress in 1874 has been to assist member countries to develop a worldwide postal network that is accessible and affordable to all citizens and to introduce products and services that meet customer needs. A calendar of events has been posted on the UPU web site.

Gulf Times has reported that "an evaluation of the ongoing Q-Post project of connecting the branch offices to the postal corporation’s IT network would be carried out soon. This was decided at a meeting between Q-Post chairman Ali Mohamed al-Ali and chairman of international relations of Slovenian Post Jan Koehler at General Post Office yesterday. Koehler is the Universal Postal Union (UPU) official overseeing the improvement of the country’s ongoing postal projects."

As EE Times has noted, "The British Broadcasting Corp. recently announced that it would discontinue its shortwave radio broadcasts to Europe, following the lead of other major shortwave services. Shortwave radio is rapidly becoming a museum concept and historical artifact, right next to telegrams and postal letters. Among the reasons given by the BBC were a declining audience (an aging one, too, I suspect), the rise of online news and music, and the cost of running those multi-megawatt transmitters." [EdNote: Imagine THAT carbon footprint.]

March 10, 2008

The Postal Service is developing new mailing standards for folded self-mailers, booklets, and folded booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. This notice provides advance information about the mail preparation changes to help mailers plan for future mailings. Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436. The comment period is 30 days from publication in the Federal Register.

GovExec has reported that "A Virginia lawmaker will introduce legislation on Tuesday that will allow more federal employees to cash out their accrued sick leave at retirement. Rep. James Moran, D-Va., said Monday that he planned to introduce a bill that would provide employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System with a one-time payment of up to $10,000 for any remaining sick leave at retirement. The benefit also would apply to employees covered under the Foreign Service Pension System and U.S. Postal Service."

Hellmail has reported that:

• The Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail are still in disagreement over plans to introduce reforms to the pension scheme on April 1st 2008. Royal Mail says that the increasing cost of maintaining the pension fund comes as the business faces intensifying competition in the open postal market with one in five of all letters now collected by rival companies, while mail volumes continue to fall and electronic communications increase. Royal Mail is currently making annual payments of around £850 million to cover both ongoing contributions and the funding of the pension fund deficit.
• Independent postal broking agency, Post-Switch is urging high volume mailers to reduce postage costs by switching from Royal Mail before it puts up its prices.

PC World wants you to know that "You can track FedEx, UPS, and U.S. Postal Service shipments just by sticking the tracking number into Google's search field."

Logistics Management has reported that "Purolator USA, a small package and freight forwarding subsidiary of Canada-based courier Purolator, recently announced it has opened a southeastern processing facility in Morrisville, North Carolina. The company said in a statement that this 8,000 square-foot location will provide service for shippers delivering regularly to Canada and within the U.S. from North Carolina and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. It added that this location, which it describes as a fully-functional distribution center, is in close proximity to the Raleigh-Durham airport. And Purolator said it offers shippers “on-the-spot consolidation services, which result in reduced delivery times, which it said is advantageous compared to competitors that divert goods hundreds of miles away to be consolidated."

U.S. Postal Service Press Release: "Conduct Postal Service business with the click of a mouse, without leaving the house. Or office. The U.S. Postal Service website, http://www.usps.com, makes it even easier for busy business owners and harried consumers to save time. More than 1 million people visit the website every day. To highlight the quick, easy and convenient products and services available online, the Postal Service hosts “USPS.com Week” through March 14."

The following reports have been posted on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website (http://www.uspsoig.gov/) today. If you have additional questions concerning the report, please contact Agapi Doulaveris at 703.248.2286.

• Air Networks – Federal Express Transportation Agreement – Pacific Area (Report Number NLAR08002) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/NL-AR-08-002.pdf

• Review of the Postal Service’s Personnel Security Process (Report Number SAMA08001) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/SA-MA-08-001.pdf

• St. Louis Equipment Preventive Maintenance and Waste Disposal FollowUp (Report Number DAMA08002) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/DA-MA-08-002.pdf

• Ventilation Filtration System Utilization (Report Number DAAR08001) http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/DA-AR-08-001.pdf

Awareness Times has reported that "The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Mohamed D. Koroma has said that most if not all courier companies registered in Sierra Leone are operating with no supervision from government and despite repeated attempts to regularise the abnormal situation, the Couriers were challenging the authority of the Government."

The Washington Post has reported that "The spam messages that have long plagued e-mail inboxes are now finding victims through a much more personal route: the cellphone. Text messages are the latest tool for advertisers and scammers to target consumers. But unlike junk e-mail that can be deleted with the click of a button, text-message spam costs money for the person who receives it and chips away at the mobile phone's aura of privacy." [EdNote: Advertising mail costs recipients NOTHING. It's all paid by the sender.]

The Telegraph has reported that "In a letter to this newspaper 10 days ago, Lord Hanningfield, the leader of Essex County Council, proposed an innovative solution to post office closures, of which 32 are planned in that county. His local authority has set aside £1.5 million to support 15 of the threatened premises for three years. This is not, the council insists, simply replacing one public subsidy with another. The purpose of the rescue plan will be to try to ensure that the businesses become self-reliant and cost-neutral to the council. We report today that 30 more councils plan to emulate Essex with this clever initiative. Targeted local intervention of this kind addresses the fundamental flaw in this closure programme: the fact that a central decision to close 2,500 post offices to reduce the network's losses pays no regard to local circumstances." [EdNote: This is VASTLY preferable to the American Congressional way of doing things.]

The Charleston Post and Courier has reported that "At the request of Mayor Harry Hallman, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., will join in the push for another town post office." [EdNote: The USPS is "independent" and "business-like." My foot! Congress can't keep its hands out of the postal cookie jar.]

The Press Information Bureau for the Government of India has announced that "The Franchisee Scheme which entails setting up of Franchisee Outlets of postal network is already in existence. The Franchisee Scheme was launched in February 2007 in select urban areas for providing increased access to postal counter services in areas where opening of a Post Office was not possible as per prescribed norms. The scheme has now been extended to cover areas of new upcoming urban townships, special economic zones, major highway projects, upcoming new industrial centres, colleges, etc. The opening of Franchisee Outlets is in addition to opening of Post Offices wherever justified."

This Is Gloucestershire has told its readers that "There's just one week left to save your post office.Up and down the land, the Post Office is closing 2,500 branches - 39 are under threat in Gloucestershire. Today the countdown starts to the last few days when protesters can get their message across to the Post Office."

Crain's Detroit Business has reported that "Large mailers are getting more serious about pruning bad addresses, signing up customers for online bill-paying and other measures to mitigate the effect of rising postal costs."

The Chicago Tribune has noted that "In a bid to counter the growing number of fake-check scams, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Chicago is branching out to a new medium: public-access television."

As the Associated Press put it: "A consensus began to emerge today that the best way to give Florida's Democrats a voice in electing a candidate for president lies with the U.S. Postal Service."

According to the Jerusalem Post, "Privatization - whether full or partial - has on the whole proved a boon for Israeli consumers. However, now and then a newly formed company appears bent on illustrating the precise reverse. The latest in this category - and perhaps the most confounding and exasperating to date - is the Israel Postal Company (IPC), which replaces the State Postal Authority. The IPC remains state-owned but operates as an independent for-profit business entity. Among the "improvements" it announced to the public is the introduction of a "service fee" to be paid upon the receipt of any package from abroad."

March 9, 2008

Action3news has reported that "Mail deliveries have been suspended in two northwest Iowa counties. The Iowa Fire Marshall is investigating more than a dozen reports of damaged mailboxes, possibly caused by explosives. A mail carrier made one of those reports, describing damage that looked like it was caused by bombs."

Gulf News has reported that "The Board of Emirates Post has proposed that those working in Abu Dhabi post offices who live in other emirates should be given free bachelor accommodation."

"Helping the environment, electronic substitution, the innovation of hybrid mail and the way that Postcomm, the regulator for postal services, sees the future of the postal market, will be discussed at a series of seminars in London. The three days of seminars make up a ‘Post Theatre’ that Postcomm is hosting at this year’s International Direct Marketing Fair which opens from 29 April – 1 May at Earls Court 2, London."

The Daily News has noted that the new Sri Lankan "PMG will be an exemplary public servant as indicated by his past service ."

March 8, 2008

In its response to a complaint regarding the availability of single-piece Bound Printed Matter service (Docket No. C2008–2), the Postal Service noted that "The Postal Service does not believe that it is providing service that violates the policies of the Act. The Postal Service’s actions about which the complainant complains do not constitute undue discrimination; rather they are rational efforts to function efficiently and economically, and to provide its various services through appropriate channels. The complainant’s underlying assumption that any postal customer should be able to obtain any postal service wherever and however he or she would prefer is untenable. The Domestic Mail Manual and other postal directives necessarily contain conditions on the availability of the various postal services. The Postal Service’s actions are consistent with the nature and history of this product and make reasonable distinctions among customers."

The Telegraph has reported that "Essex county council is set to become the first local authority to take over the running of post offices that have closed. The council has confirmed that it is negotiating a buy-out price from the Post Office in the hope of saving up to 15 of the 31 branches that have recently shut down across the county. Up to 14,000 branches are earmarked for closure The branches in Essex were among 2,500 of the 14,000 branches earmarked for closure nationwide, which were announced in 2006 in a bid to stem losses of £4 million a week. Pat McFadden, the postal affairs minister, has given his approval to the scheme, as has the Local Government Association and the Post Office has said it is willing to work with other local authorities on similar takeovers." See also the BBC. [EdNote: Now THERE's a model worth emulating in the U.S.]

The Beaver County Times has reported that "After a near three month lapse, Homewood residents will once again have their mail delivered. It just won’t be the way most of them requested. The U.S. Postal Service closed its Homewood office Dec. 17 after Postmaster Elaine Buzzelli fell ill. Instead of replacing her, the Postal Service is having Homewood residents retrieve their mail at the Beaver Falls post office. Many have complained the 12-mile roundtrip is an inconvenience."

According to The Oregonian, "When the U.S. Postal Service told Michael Snodgrass to remove the church sign above his Damascus coffee shop or lose the contract postal unit inside, he took action. He plastered the cafe door with signs alleging religious persecution, gathered 11 pages of signatures in support of the sign and got dozens of people to complain to the Postal Service. Dozens of customers and others called the Postal Service to protest, said Ron Anderson, customer relations coordinator for the Portland Postal District. By Friday, the Postal Service had made an about-face. The church sign was A-O.K. No change necessary, officials told Snodgrass."

According to the Indianapolis Star, "A total of 900 property tax rebate checks mailed to Hamilton County property owners have been returned to the auditor's office as undeliverable. Auditor Robin Mills said 900 checks were returned to her office Thursday. She said the office goes through the same thing each year with undeliverable tax bills."

 The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• Postmaster General Jack Potter and PRC Chairman Dan Blair brought a Senate postal oversight panel up to speed with an update on USPS operations since the enactment of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006.
• The USPS provided PostCom with a chart to clarify information included in a recent PostCom Bulletin article on the Partnership in Tomorrow meeting on CASS Cycle M and other addressing issues.
• Hundreds of stakeholders and industry representatives voiced their concerns in response to the Postal Service’s proposed implementation plans for using Intelligent Mail Barcodes beginning next January. The USPS received more than 400 responses, spanning more than 1,000 pages of comments in response to its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. There were common themes throughout the comments, including opposition to the January 2009 implementation timeline, the necessity of knowing the IMB pricing structure, opposition to the USPS’ proposed Mailer ID structure and concerns about the proposed IMB uniqueness requirements, proposed requirements for container and tray/sack barcodes, proposed electronic documentation requirements and system integration, and the need for access to service visibility data.
• Postal commentator Gene Del Polito rebuts the myths about advertising mail.
• Dutch might open mail market in July. Korea Post package service voted best – again.
• State Dept. to hold meeting on international postal and delivery services. APWU chief asks IG to investigate contractors’ use of USPS property. New IG reports posted. UAA Clearinghouse provides green solution for undeliverable direct mail. Akerman Senterfitt Wickwire Gavin to hold annual USPS business seminar April 25. Is TV advertising dead? Some marketers think so.
• Dutch might open mail market in July. Korea Post package service voted best – again.
• A list of upcoming postal-related events.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

March 7, 2008 

Thompson Financial has reported that "FedEx Corp. said Friday that Ken May has resigned as president and chief executive of its FedEx Kinko's unit, effective March 31. The Memphis, Tenn.-based company said that Brian Philips, currently chief operating officer of FedEx Kinko's, will become acting CEO."

Reuters has reported that "A German administrative court said on Friday a minimum wage introduced in the country's postal service did not conform with the law, handing a victory to competitors of Deutsche Post. A German administrative court said on Friday a minimum wage introduced in the country's postal service did not conform with the law, handing a victory to competitors of Deutsche Post."

The Postal Regulatory Commission's first Strategic and Operational Plan, 2008 through 2012 has been posted on this site.

The Watertown Daily Times has noted that "Earmarks have become a touchy subject for members of Congress since gaining public notoriety with congressionally designated funds for Alaska's infamous "bridge to nowhere." President Bush has used the veto threat to pressure senators and representatives to limit earmarks to fund pet projects back home. Opponents call it just more pork-barrel spending. Given the controversy, then, it is rather surprising that an online organization resorts to earmarks as one measure of influence in Congress, and as a result puts Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, near the bottom of congressional influence. As the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Mr. McHugh was rated highly on committee assignments by the Web site Congress.org. John McHugh has avoided earmarks, preferring to use the formal budget process in Congress. His preferred procedure is transparent under the full scrutiny of anyone who cares to watch. All bridges in the north country lead somewhere. The Internet site apparently missed Mr. McHugh's years of work on postal reform legislation, his role in improving pay and benefits for service members, and the federal funding he has obtained through the years to help municipalities and various organizations. These efforts may get overlooked in the national rating, but not by Mr. McHugh's constituents." [EdNote: Sounds as if some knothead, who just absolutely loves earmarks, forgot to do his homework. They just don't come better than John McHugh.]

From the Federal Register: "The Postal Service is proposing new standards to prohibit the mailing of replica or inert munitions such as grenades or other simulated explosive devices."

The New York Sun has reported that "A plan to help New Yorkers keep unwanted mail at bay is encountering resistance from the very organization in charge of delivering it: the United States Postal Service. The "do not mail" proposal before the state Senate, introduced by Senator Carl Kruger, a Democrat of Brooklyn, would allow residents to add their names to a state registry and keep unwanted mail away. Postmaster General John Potter took up the issue in the U.S. Senate this week, testifying before a subcommittee on Wednesday that if the "do not mail" bills were approved they would "threaten the viability of mail in and among the affected states" and "come at the expense of jobs, the viability of local businesses and the reduction in municipal, county, and state revenue."

According to the Calgary Herald, "Albertans opt out of receiving unaddressed ad mail at a rate of more than twice the national average, according to Canada Post. Canada-wide, only six per cent of households ask the postal service not to deliver unaddressed ad mail. Fourteen per cent, or 206,000 Alberta households, ask Canada Post to stop."

The Associated Press has reported that "Capitol Hill offices received letters Thursday containing a photo of the Times Square military recruiting office before it was bombed and including the claim "We Did It." The envelope also contained a packet of approximately 10 sheets of paper that seemed to be a political manifesto railing against the Iraq war and a booklet. A second aide, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said similar letters arrived in as many as 10 offices." See also the New York Post.

Fortune magazine asked businesspeople to vote for the companies that they admired most, from any industry. Number Seven was Fedex. Number 17 was UPS.

Thompson Financial has reported that "Deutsche Post World Net AG's chief executive Frank Appel is mulling a tie-up of the company's troubled US express operations with rival FedEx Corp, Financial Times Deutschland reported, without saying where it got the information. Appel said yesterday he will present the company's decision in May on the future of the US express operations, which have posted unspecified losses since the company entered the market in 2004. There have already been repeated talks with FedEx head Frederick Smith, FT Deutschland reported today. But to retain some leverage, Appel is also looking into a possible tie-up with regional US express mail companies, it said."

Computer Weekly has reported that "Credit vetting agency Experian has found that eight out of 10 people are browsing hard-copy catalogues before they go online to reserve their purchases."

The Cambridge News has reported that "council bosses, business leaders and community groups are fighting post office closures in Cambridgeshire. They have united to create a campaigning organisation to ensure that people in rural areas are not left without a service they need. The campaign body is called the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Post Office Network Change Group and it will be having urgent talks with the Post Office."

The Trinidad & Tobago Express has reported that "The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (TTPost) says it has sent a request to the police service for security to be provided for its mail delivery employees, especially in high-risk areas of the country."

March 6, 2008

In his latest perspective, postal commentator Gene Del Polito asks: "How many of you are old enough to remember the movie Network? Good! My mental telepathy says that a number of hands have been raised. Recall the scene where the actor Peter Finch, in the role of a disgruntled newscaster, urges his audience to open their windows and show their displeasure by yelling out "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." Well, after reading the March 6 National News page of the Washington Post, the one with the article entitled "Postal Service Feels Weight Of 'Junk Mail,'" I am mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore."

USA Today has reported that "U.S. postal authorities have approved more than 10,000 law enforcement requests to record names, addresses and other information from the outside of letters and packages of suspected criminals every year since 1998, according to U.S. Postal Inspection Service data."

The Associated Press has reported that "A veteran letter carrier in Detroit will return to federal court later this month to face charges of hoarding mail dating back to 2002. Stealing mail is a five-year felony."

The Washington Post has reported that "The souring economy and changing lifestyles are dramatically affecting one of the most dependable institutions in American life: the U.S. Postal Service. Troubled banks are mailing fewer credit card offers. Declining new-home sales mean vacant houses sitting with empty mailboxes. And as consumers switch to paying bills online, first-class mailings are drying up. Now, a new trend in consumer activism -- do-not-mail lists pending in 18 states, including Maryland -- threatens to reduce deliveries of catalogues and other "junk mail" that make up the largest volume of postal deliveries." [EdNote: This report is based largely on yesterday's Senate postal oversight hearing.]

The Memphis Commercial Appeal has reported that "Analysts expect money-losing DHL will scale back in the United States and could make the announcement as early as today, handing FedEx Corp. and UPS a boon. If DHL closes terminals and hubs, analysts say FedEx could get 35 percent of the lost business in the air and another 25 percent on the ground. If the restructuring costs DHL 2 percent of revenue, FedEx stands to gain $45 million in business, according to a research note published Wednesday by Edward Wolfe. UPS, which has a more powerful ground network, stands to realize $71 million."

As the New York Times has noted, the Postal Service has joined PBS in what to some has been characterized as the celebration of a lost art--letter writing.

The Sentinel has reported that "Union leaders are planning a meeting with postal workers after Royal Mail announced proposals to close its Stoke depot. The company plans to shut its Leek Road office and move its delivery operation to a new base in Stoke or Hanley."

Emirates Business 24/7 has reported that "Abdulla Ibrahim Al Daboos, Vice-Chairman and President of Emirates Post Holding Group and Chairman of Emirates Post, sat down with Emirates Business to discuss the group’s diverse business interests and its plans for the future, including acquiring a fleet of aircraft and starting joint ventures with remittance firms overseas. Looking beyond traditional domestic mail processing, Al Daboos is working to turn Emirates Post into a successful international brand."

The Wall Street Journal has reported that "German postal and logistics giant Deutsche Post AG Thursday said fourth-quarter net profit dropped 61% due to an asset write-down in its U.S. Express division."

Transport Intelligence has reported that "TNT Post, part of Dutch group TNT N.V, yesterday (March 5) unveiled plans to open 750 new sales outlets in shops across the Netherlands. That news coincided with the issuing of a separate statement announcing that TNT Post and Postbank were discontinuing their partnership in Postkantoren BV. Expanding on the plan to add more retail outlets, TNT stated that TNT Post's current services at 1,850 shops would remain unchanged, "providing consumers in the future with 2,600 points at which to transact postal business".

The United States Department of State has invited Charles A. Prescott, DMA’s vice president of global knowledge network services, to serve on its International Postal and Delivery Services Advisory Committee. The committee, as mandated by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, will provide foreign policy advice to the State Department regarding international postal services as well as private-sector international delivery services.

According to The Scotsman, "the modern curse of junk mail may be lifting, as figures revealed direct marketing has slumped to its lowest level this century. According to the Royal Mail, there are now 800,000 fewer items being delivered annually than at the industry peak in 2003. However, the industry watchdog warned that while this might be welcomed by householders, it could be bad news for the postal service. Figures from the Royal Mail still showed 4.65 billion items of direct mail dropping through doors last year – down 7.4 per cent year on year. Trisha Dow, director of Postwatch Scotland, said the drop was "worrying" as it would cost the postal service."

March 5, 2008

From PR Newswire: "District Manager Dallas Keck of Portland, OR, is this year's winner of the Benjamin Franklin Community Newspaper and Postal Partnership Award of Excellence. The award will be presented on March 6 by Postmaster General John Potter and National Newspaper Association (NNA) Postal Committee Chair Max Heath during the association's 47th Government Affairs Conference in Washington, DC. The Benjamin Franklin Award of Excellence is presented to the Postal Service employee who best exemplifies the spirit of Benjamin Franklin."

Ann Fisher, Chief of Staff at the Postal Regulatory Commission, has been appointed to be a member of the Department of State's International Postal and Delivery Services Advisory Committee.

The Sioux City Journal has reported that "An Omaha teenager has pleaded guilty to shooting an Omaha mail carrier."

The BBC has reported that "Post Office Ltd is to close two main postal offices in north and south Wales in new franchise deals with WH Smith."

RoadTransport has reported that "UK Mail has called for radical changes in the way Royal Mail is operated. The firm commissioned a report from economic consultant David Stubbs of Europe Economics, recommends the creation of two accountable businesses, operating independently with distinct targets, objectives and incentives. A new business unit - Royal Mail Sales - would deal with customers, and contain existing retail sales, marketing and product development. Alongside it would be Royal Mail Network, responsible for the operational delivery of postal services."

CEP News (Courier-Express-Postal), published by the MRU Consultancy, has reported that:

In Switzerland, the private providers have been successful in their demand that the market be opened up sooner than originally envisaged. On Wednesday of last week the government adopted a new proposal for legislation designed to bring down the monopoly limit to 50 grammes on 1 April 2009. It had previously been planned that this would not be done until 2011.
The Italian cartel authority, AGCM (Autoritá Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato), has suspended the preliminary investigation which had been initiated against Poste Italiane in August last year.
In Slovenia it will be possible to post parcels at petrol stations in future.
According to the daily newspaper »FAZ« (03.03.), the Deutsche Verband für Post, Informationstechnologie und Telekommunikation - DVPT (German Association for Post and Telecommunications) is considering filing a lawsuit if the Federal Ministry of Finance fails to revoke the tax privileges enjoyed by Deutsche Post.
The trade union ver.di is evidently going to try and prevent the Postbank’s parent company, Deutsche Post, from selling it.
Fewer items being posted, diminishing revenue per item, sluggish integration and poor customer service have marred the 2007 result of the British CEP service City Link.
Japan Post Service Co. is intending to become involved in the Asiatic air freight trade on a large scale.
Posten Norge AS is hoping to increase the parcel volume via a new service offering.
In future Blue Dart, the Indian subsidiary of DHL Express, could also find itself carrying international air freight.
TNT Express has announced the merger of its subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
It was only a few days after he had been appointed Chairman of the Management Board that Frank Appel reorganised the Logistics division of Deutsche Post.

The MRU, founded in 1992, is the only consultancy in Europe, which has specialised in the market of courier-, express- and parcel services. For large-scale shippers and CEP-services in particular, the MRU provides interdisciplinary advice for all major questions of the market, as there are for example market entry, product design, organisation, and EDP.To learn more about the stories reported above, contact CEP News. (We appreciate the courtesy extended by CEP News to help whet your appetite for more of what CEP offers.)

Trading Markets has reported that "FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., announced the expansion of its customer portfolio of services with the launch of FedEx International Economy service in 10 Asia-Pacific markets, with another introduction scheduled this March for three more Asian markets -the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam."

GreenBiz has noted that "Adding to the numerous and diverse lists of green best practices, Pitney Bowes Inc. has put out a white paper focused on cutting waste and energy for mailings. As with many other resource- and energy-savings initiatives, investing time and money to make changes in mailings has the potential to lower costs and turn a profit."

Transport Intelligence has reported that "After a meeting of its management board in Bonn, DPWN unveiled the split of its logistics division into two operating units, Supply Chain and Global Forwarding and Freight. To reflect that re-arrangement, the heads of those operating units have been appointed to the management board of DPWN. Bruce Edwards will now be responsible for the Supply Chain business and Hermann Ude will run the Global Forwarding and Freight operation. Both will report directly to CEO Frank Appel.

CNNMoney has reported that "ING Groep NV (NYSE:ING) and TNT NV said they have agreed to unwind their joint venture Postkantoren BV, a move which will see ING's Postbank services transferred to ING's retail banking outlets away from TNT Post branches."

March 4, 2008
 

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE The U.S. Postal Service operates under its own special purchasing rules. These rules keep changing. To understand these rules and work successfully within them, the law firm of Akerman Senterfitt Wickwire Gavin will be presenting a one-day seminar on "Doing Business with the U.S. Postal Service." The seminar will be held on April 25, 2008 at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in the Walt Disney World resort. For more information, visit www.akerman.com/seminars, or call Amy Carson at (703) 790-8750, or send an email to amy.carson@akerman.com. Sign up before April 1, 2008 and receive a discounted registration.

The Sherwood Park News has reported that "The differences in opinion of exactly what rural and suburban mail carriers should receive renumeration for between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and Canada Post remain unchanged since a rift between the two opened up last October."

As Hemscott has noted, "Poste Italiane is the largest employer in Italy. The postal services activities remain loss-making and are subsidised by the profitable financial services activities."

From MarketWire: "InfoPrint Solutions Company, a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, today announced a new solution that will enable large mailers to continue to receive postal discounts on automated mailings by replacing current Postnet barcodes with the new Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB). This is a mailing solution that allows transactional mailers to make these barcode replacements without changing their base applications or over spraying finished envelopes to continue to benefit from the automated discounts from the United States Postal Service (USPS)."

As MyCustomer.com has noted, "the direct marketing industry (UK) is under pressure to change the way it operates. With the introduction of legislation surrounding data protection and green issues taking centre stage, how we communicate with customers is under the microscope. Iain Lovatt questions the prudence of political will to move towards an opt-in society and the consequences for free trade in the UK."

PostCom President Gene Del Polito has been invited to serve on the State Department's International Postal and Delivery Services Advisory Committee. The inaugural meeting of the advisory group will take place on March 25, 2008.
 

DMM Advisory

Address-Side Up. The USPS published a proposal for comment in today's Federal Register [HTML] | [PDF] requiring mailers to arrange all presorted bundles on pallets with addresses facing up. The revised standards will help validate bundle contents and expedite manual bundle distribution and also align preparation with the automated induction capabilities of the Flats Sequencing System. Mailers are encouraged to review and comment on this proposal before April 3.

According to Direct, "Despite recession fears the fourth quarter of 2007 marked the 18th consecutive quarter of direct marketing growth, according to the Direct Marketing Association's Quarterly Business Review. Data compiled from surveys of DMA-member marketers, agencies and suppliers indicated more modest fourth quarter growth and less rosy future forecasts, compared to past quarters."

Postal Service executives are marking National Consumer Protection Week by warning consumers against fake check scams and providing tips to prevent identity theft.

From the Federal Register: "Effective September 14, 2008, the Postal Service is proposing to require mailers to place presort bundles on pallets with the addresses facing up. We must receive your comments on or before April 3, 2008. Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Room 3436, Washington, DC 20260-3436. Do not submit comments via fax or e-mail."

The BBC has reported that "Postal charges in the Isle of Man are to increase next month for the first time in two years."

The Communications Workers Union has told its members that "Despite claiming that its consultation has been “extensive”, Royal Mail’s proposals remain the same as when they began. Royal Mail Group does not understand the meaning of consultation. As with the Post Office closure programme they have turned a blind eye to suggestions by all parties and plan to plough ahead with their pre-planned agenda regardless of viable alternatives and the wishes of their staff."

The Daily Mail has reported that "Postal workers threatened a long and bitter strike yesterday over changes to their pensions. Unions are furious at Royal Mail's plans for an overhaul of one of the country's largest and most generous pension schemes. The threat comes just a few months after one of the biggest strikes to hit the service in years."

Forbes has reported that "German postal service provider PIN Group is in talks with three possible buyers for the company, which include regional competitors as well as newspaper publishers."

Reuters has reported that "The Dutch government hopes the postponed liberalisation of the mail market, originally due in January, will come into force on July 1 depending on developments in Germany and Dutch labour negotiations."

The Stornoway Gazette has reported that "a total of 13 post office branches are being earmarked for closure in the Western Isles. The Post Office today (Tuesday) opens a six-week public consultation on its area plan for the 113 branches in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. Postwatch Scotland, the independent watchdog for postal services in Scotland, urges customers to engage in the consultation process by finding out more about the proposals and giving feedback to Post Office Ltd."

According to the Korea Times, "Korea Post beat private logistics companies by large margins to be named as the best package delivery service in Korea for the fourth consecutive year."

Pitney Bowes has announced the publication of the next paper in its Future of Mail series: Mail Trends Update. The full paper can be downloaded from Postinsight.com if you copy & paste this link: http://www.postinsight.com/files/MAILTRENDS_final_2008_v10-1.pdf

According to Cuba News, "The Cuban postal service has received a deluge of letters and packages in recent years."

March 3, 2008

The BBC has reported that "The UK's postal service could be hit by fresh strikes if Royal Mail staff take their union's advice to reject the company's proposed pension changes. Unions are holding a consultative ballot after the closure of the company's own consultation. They say a strike ballot could follow if the Royal Mail does not improve the pension benefits on offer. The firm plans to reduce the final salary scheme for new and current members and raise the retirement age."

The following reports have been posted on the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General website (http://www.uspsoig.gov/).  If you have additional questions concerning the report, please contact Agapi Doulaveris at 703.248.2286.

• Fiscal Year 2007 Postal Service Financial Statement Audits – Control Issues (Report Number FTWP08001) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FT-WP-08-001.pdf

• Fiscal Year 2007 Postal Service Financial Statements Audit – Eagan Information Technology and Accounting Service Center (Report Number FTAR08007) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FT-AR-08-007.pdf

• Fiscal Year 2007 Postal Service Financial Statements Audit – Washington, D.C., Headquarters (Report Number FTAR08006) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FT-AR-08-006.pdf

• Security Review of the Electronic Verification System (Report Number CRRAR08002) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/CRR-AR-08-002.pdf

• Use of Existing Postal-Owned Space in the New York Metro Area (Report Number SA-AR-08-002) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/SA-AR-08-002.pdf

• Fiscal Year 2007 Financial Installation Audit – Stamp Distribution Offices (Report Number FFAR08062) * http://www.uspsoig.gov/foia_files/FF-AR-08-062.pdf

The latest copy of the National Association of Postmasters of the U.S. electronic governmental affairs newsletter is available on the NAPUS web site.

The Indianapolis Star has reported that "Indiana inmates will repair transmissions used on postal vehicles under a contract the state has signed, officials said."

A copy of the March 3 issue of the Postal Service's DMM Update has been posted on this site.

Hamilton Davison, Executive Director of the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) announced the newly formed catalog organization was joining the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom) and taking a seat on the PostCom Board of Directors. “This is a wonderful opportunity to have the catalog voice better represented in the national policy debate. Virtually every major mailer group is a member of PostCom. They do incredible work distilling a complicated, multi-faceted subject, facilitating a discussion of the alternatives where the mailing industry can realize their common objective of a strong national postal system. It is important for the unique interests of catalog companies to be part of that debate. ACMA was formed to insure that the catalog interests are represented fully, fairly, and aggressively. Joining PostCom is a natural evolution in that process,” said Davison.

C|Net News has reported that "PortoMedia is setting up kiosks that will let consumers download movies to a flash memory key or portable hard drive. The kiosks will be packed with hard drives that can hold 350 to 5,000 titles. Users then plug in a memory device from the company, enter a PIN code, and buy or rent a movie. When consumers get home, they simply slide the memory device into a dock connected to a TV."

From eMediaWire: "Earth Class Mail Corp., the global leader in delivering postal mail online, today announced that it has been selected to join the Microsoft Startup Accelerator Program. Stewarded by the Emerging Business Team (EBT) at Microsoft Corp., the program is designed to connect high-potential startups committed to the Microsoft platform to an extensive support network. The network provides access to Microsoft people and programs, guidance on future directions, and support to accelerate a startup's success. Earth Class Mail allows customers in more than 130 countries to view and manage their U.S. postal mail online 24/7 from anywhere in the world."

From Business Wire: "The CK31ex rugged mobile computer integrates breakthrough auto-focus area imaging technology and enables users to quickly scan any type of bar code, in any orientation, from six inches to 50 feet away, opening up new efficiencies and application opportunities across the warehouse. With the CK31ex, users can scan 1D, 2D, composite and postal codes; capture images, signatures and documents; read at near and far distances; and successfully cope with damaged, poorly printed or partially obscured codes in variable lighting conditions."

According to Brand Republic, "The Communications Workers Union is to hold a 'consultative ballot' this week with members about Royal Mail's proposals to restructure its pension plans, in a move that could lead to further strike action." See also The Times and Hellmail.

Radio New Zealand International has reported that "The prices of domestic and international postal services in Samoa have gone up by 25%."

The Warsaw Business Journal has reported that "Bank Pocztowy, a subsidiary of national postal service Poczta Polska is working extensively developing mobile banking for its customers despite its service already being available in almost every post office across the country."

March 2, 2008

The Times has reported that "A wide-ranging review of the effect of competition on Royal Mail is expected to be announced today amid concerns that the group’s ability to provide a core service is being damaged."

March 1, 2008

PostCom has learned that "Joanne Giordano has left her position as USPS vice president of Public Affairs and Communications. Julie Moore will be serving as acting vice president during the search for a successor."

The Scotsman has reported that "Post deliveries in Scotland have fallen to their worst level in five years as strike-hit Royal Mail admitted it failed to ensure next-day delivery on almost one in five first-class items."
 
 
The latest issue of the PostCom Bulletin is available online. In this issue:

• Implementing the Intelligent Mail Barcode is so important to the future of the U.S. Postal Service that Postmaster General Jack Potter this week took an “unusual step.” In a letter, Potter gave postal customers advance notice of some of the changes they can expect in the Proposed Rulemaking that will be published in the Federal Register next month.

• Postal commentator Gene Del Polito says the Intelligent Mail Barcode probably is the Postal Service’s most important undertaking since the development and implementation of the delivery point barcode. He says a full-scale IMB implementation is a significant capital investment for both the USPS and its customers, and one the Postal Service must get right.

• Do Not Mail legislation has been introduced in a number of states. Although the mailing community has been unified by the push to curb advertising mail, the mailing industry can no longer ignore the threat posed by Do Not Mail initiatives. If even one state were to pass a bill into law, it would have an enormous ripple effect on the entire mailing industry – an effect that would be devastating to many businesses.

• The USPS met with software providers and end users this week to review the CASS Cycle M software requirements. Association representatives also were invited to participate in the Partnership in Tomorrow meeting and share information with their respective membership.

• The House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia held an oversight hearing this week to explore the progress the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission have made toward implementing the provisions in the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act.

• USPS undercharged countries millions for mail. Potter names CIO, VP IT operations. Langley nominated to be PRC member. TrackMyMail acquired by Pitney Bowes. The Bennett Group announces 2008 training sessions.

• Dutch union wants minimum wage, contracts for all postal workers. Spanish postal workers demonstrate for higher pay in Madrid. Canada Post, letter carriers face off in Northern Alberta. Poste Italiane cooperates to end probe.

• The Arvonio Group joins PostCom.

The PostCom Bulletin is distributed via NetGram

The Times has reported that "As Royal Mail closes post offices, its counterpart in Italy is expanding and moving into profit by adopting a strategy that Royal Mail bosses might wish to consider. The Italian postal turnaround offers an example of go-ahead enterprise in a country that, on the whole, is mired in gloomy predictions of decline, low growth, stagnation and instability. How has this unlikely miracle been achieved? "

The Islamabad News has reported that "Pakistan Post, once enjoying monopoly in postal service, is fast losing confidence of the public because of it is unreliability. More and more people are now turning to the private sector to send their mails and parcels but the lower middle class is still dependent on Pakistan Post due to its cheaper rates."