Ep 383: An Post delivering more with route optimisation
Postal Hub podcast
Laura Shields and Garrett Byrne from An Post, along with Peter DeSantis from Giro, share how An Post was able to deliver 48% more parcels to more delivery points without increasing the number of hours worked in its last mile delivery network. Taking a test-and-learn approach to route optimisation and network design Key pressure points for An Post, including falling letter volumes, growth in parcel volumes, and dealing with fixed costs in a competitive market Parcel growth trends for An Post Implementing change across numerous sites Need to keep staff and unions engaged during periods...
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Ep 382: Update on US tariffs and de minimis
Postal Hub podcast
Kate Muth, Executive Director at IMAG (International Mailers Advisory Group), shares an update on tariffs, de minimis, and international low value parcels. Update on US Supreme Court hearings on tariffs Next steps for US tariffs Expectations and timings Scope of Supreme Court case What happens if the Supreme Court rules the President doesn't have power to impose tariffs? The prospect of a refund process Separate de minimis case Postal operators collecting and remitting US duties for postal items Low value goods in the international postal stream UK low value threshold for customs duties EU...
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Ep 381: Out-of-home delivery in Norway with Posten Bring
Postal Hub podcast
Why is out-of-home delivery popular in Norway? And can parcel lockers work in the freezing cold? Håvard Femtehjell, Head of Parcel Locker Development at Posten Bring, discusses: Overview of Posten's out-of-home delivery network, including parcel lockers and parcel collection points Long-term trends in out-of-home delivery in Norway Delivering small packets with letters Partnering for retailers parcel collection points Finding parcel locker locations Parcel locker performance in very cold climates Evolution of customer delivery preferences Role of proximity in customer delivery preferences...
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Ep 380: DPD UK out-of-home delivery with Tim Davies
Postal Hub podcast
Tim Davies, Head of Out of Home and SME Accounts at DPD UK, talks about PUDOs, parcel lockers, and out-of-home delivery. We cover: Growth in DPD UK's out-of-home delivery network Composition of the OOH network How the DPD Parcel Shop PUDO relationship works Partnerships with major retailers Exclusivity vs carrier-neutral PUDO approach from retailers DPD UK's relationship with the UK Post Office - more than just PUDOs In-store parcel scanning technology, including integrations Trends in UK OOH delivery, including parcel lockers Retailers' interest in OOH delivery Returns via OOH In-flight...
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Ep 379: How posts can be prepared for US shutting down de minimis
Postal Hub podcast
President Trump has decided to suspend duty-free de minimis for the USA, effective 29 August. Aaron Bezzant, Head of Supply Chain at Zonos, discusses the background to the President's Executive Order, what it means for e-commerce and the postal world, and what steps need to be taken to be compliant. The details of President Trump's Executive Order Previous attempt at eliminating de minimis for the postal stream Customs and Border Protection and USPS collection processes Duties for China Post and Hongkong Post shipments Tactics used to exploit previous de minimis crackdown on Chinese-made...
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Ep 378: Reducing environmental impact of e-commerce packaging
Postal Hub podcast
Dr Selene Silvestri, Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, discusses the environmental impact of e-commerce packaging. Measuring the cost of e-commerce packaging Growth in e-commerce and impact on packaging Benefits of recycling cardboard packaging E-commerce shifting the cardboard recycling burden from retailers to consumers Obstacles to higher recycling rates Current models to encourage recycling Regulations on reducing empty space in parcels Reducing the weight of packaging Reverse logistics framework to support recycling Efficiency and convenience of...
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Ep 377: EU plans for fee on inbound cross-border parcels
Postal Hub podcast
Roel Gevaers, professor in last mile logistics and supply chain at the university of Antwerp, discusses moves to impose fees on inbound low-value parcels from outside the EU. EU and EC proposal to add €2 fee for inbound international parcels Fee for cross-dock parcels from overseas Focus on import-free parcels Huge volumes of Chinese parcels entering Europe each year EU and EC intentions with this fee - is it a symbolic action? Timeframes - contrasting Europe with the USA Future plans for full customs reform Consumer protection and standards How the €2 fee will be collected Passing costs...
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Ep 376: Unlocking the power of innovation in postal and logistics sectors
Postal Hub podcast
Lars Pruijn, Innovation Director at Prime Vision, breaks down different aspects of innovation and describes how innovation can work in the postal and logistics sectors. How do we define innovation Taking responsibility for innovation in the company Internal innovation - optimising and increase External innovation: core, adjacent, and transformative innovation Adding new technology to existing products Reshaping products and keeping core products relevant Being disruptive in specific markets or segments How can companie stimulate innovation? Internal and external cooperation on innovation...
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Ep 375: Poste Italiane Head of International Jan Van Roey
Postal Hub podcast
Jan Van Roey, Head of International at Poste Italiane, discusses cross-border parcel volumes and recent improvements to digital customer experience. He covers: Cross-border volume growth New Poste Italiane outbound international product Domestic parcel trends Coping with volatility and uncertainty in international parcels Retailers moving warehouses to Europe Poste Italiane's partnership with DHL eCommerce for inbound and outbound Locker Italia joint venture in parcel lockers with DHL Strategic reasons for setting up partnerships Parcel lockers and international delivery Recent changes to...
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Ep 374: E-commerce fulfilment with Pos Malaysia
Postal Hub podcast
Rohit Gunavanthe, Head of Fulfilment at Pos Malaysia, discusses the postal operator’s e-commerce fulfilment business Pos Fulfill. Background to creation of Pos Fulfill Storage, order fulfilment, pick and pack, real time inventory management, and end-to-end-logistics solutions Warehousing, customs clearance, in-store deliveries Geographic coverage across a diverse region, including East Malaysia Integrating with Pos Malaysia's distribution network Eight sites across Malaysia Cross-border capabilities Handling e-commerce returns, including inspecting returned items Business growth Importance...
info_outline- The major challenges facing sorting and warehousing
- Planning and organising challenges in warehouse operations
- Investment considerations when planning sorting centres
- Capacity and the pressure on pricing
- Striking a balance between investment and looking for efficiencies
- Growing industry focus on employee wellbeing
- Role of warehouse tech in attracting and retaining staff
- Shift from automating to reduce staff, to automating to help retain staff
- Example of technology improving working conditions for staff
- Robotic sorting - using autonomous machines to assist workers
- Fully autonomous vehicles requiring no navigational assistance
- Integrating robots with sorting systems (e.g. belts and chutes)
- How robotic sorting can help with flexibility and volume
- Improving throughput
- Flexibility of robotic sorting, including moving sites
- Worker safety in sorting centres
- How staff interact with their robotic co-workers