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