Postal Hub podcast
The Postal Hub is the podcast for the global postal, parcels, delivery and express sectors.
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Ep 343: Packaly CEO on reducing and reporting emissions
04/15/2024
Ep 343: Packaly CEO on reducing and reporting emissions
Axel Dekker, CEO and co-founder of Packaly, discusses delivery optimisation, reducing emissions, and reporting emissions. Overview of the Packaly network Freelance riders and local partners Consolidating orders Ship-from-store and ship-from-hub Choosing the right vehicle for delivery routes Managing volumes (size) and routing for delivery vehicles Working with retailers and delivery partners to improve data Delivering to low-emission zones Sharing delivery hub infrastructure Giving retailers greater visibility of last mile emissions Calculating emissions at a granular level Need to standardise of emissions reporting
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Ep 342: Matkahuolto delivering parcels across Finland and the Nordics
04/08/2024
Ep 342: Matkahuolto delivering parcels across Finland and the Nordics
Kati Nevalainen, Director, Parcel Services at Matkahuolto, discusses parcel delivery across Finland and the Nordics: History of Matkahuolto carrying parcels Matkahuolto's public transport roots B2B, B2C and C2C deliveries Interacting with C2C via mobile apps as well as in-store Residential delivery and out-of-home delivery Matkahuolto's service point network Finnish consumers' delivery preferences Size of Matkahuolto's parcel locker network and service point network Density of out-of-home network Location of Matkahuolto parcel lockers Cross-border delivery and delivery partners, including Omniva, GLS and Bring Matkahuolto's sustainability commitments Customer experience and parcel lockers Using agnostic parcel locker networks and own parcel locker network Smartmile acquisition Publishing parcel locker data Redirecting parcels to nearby PUDO points
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Ep 341: Responding to falling letter volumes
03/26/2024
Ep 341: Responding to falling letter volumes
Peter Dunn, Director of European Relations, Cullen International, discusses the USO, how European postal operators are reacting to falling letter volumes, and more. The purpose of the Postal Services Directive, including letters USO and quality of service How local universal service obligations can be changed Flexibility provisions in Postal Services Directive Changes to letter delivery frequency in Italy (Poste Italiane) Letter volume declines in Nordic countries Introducing alternate-day letter delivery Lack of standardised EU approach to USO scope definition Parcels in the USO Local variations in letter volume declines Review of the Postal Services Directive State aid and government support for postal operators Letter trends and USO review worldwide Varying national responses to falling letter volumes Cultural and operational differences between postal operators and markets
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Ep 340: Gig economy delivery and q-commerce - has the bubble burst?
03/19/2024
Ep 340: Gig economy delivery and q-commerce - has the bubble burst?
Professor John Colley from the Warwick Business School discusses developments in gig economy delivery and ultrafast grocery delivery (q-commerce). We cover: Demise of rapid, ultrafast delivery Difficult economics of ultrafast delivery High costs of q-commerce never passed on to consumers Supermarket chains acquiring failed rapid delivery startups Availability of venture capital funding Gig economy delivery model Regulation of the gig economy Workers' rights and driver strike action Lack of profitability and growth in gig economy delivery Difference between markets Affluence vs low minimum wages as an indicator of gig economy delivery History repeating itself with ride hailing Batching of fast food orders
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Ep 339: Customer experience in the last mile
03/13/2024
Ep 339: Customer experience in the last mile
Rob King, CEO and co-founder at Zedify, discusses customer experience in the last mile, sustainability, greenwashing, and cargo bike delivery. Creating better delivery for customers and the environment Large vehicles vs small vehicles in urban delivery Microhubs in cities The last mile as an extension of the online retailer's brand Retailers paying more attention to delivery emissions Key factors in getting the customer experience right in delivery Estimated delivery times and electronic delivery notifications The human interaction at the doorstep Retailers' concerns about greenwashing in delivery Reporting emissions Cargo bike delivery trends Difficulties in decarbonising delivery
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Ep 338: Transporting parcels overnight via rail in the UK
03/08/2024
Ep 338: Transporting parcels overnight via rail in the UK
Phil Read, Managing Director at Varamis, talks about using electric trains to transport parcels overnight in the UK: The inspiration behind Varamis Advantage of using high-speed passenger trains for moving parcels Acquiring electric trains Overnight parcel train service between Birmingham and Glasgow Proving trains can meet demands of parcel delivery sector Train paths - slots in the railway timetable Offering a regular train service for parcels Using former Royal Mail Red Star Parcel facilities Streamlining loading and unloading processes Integrating with the last mile Being price competitive compared to road transport Environmental benefits of rail over road Launching the Londin-Glasgow service Working with retail customers to create a service fit for purpose Future expansion plans across the UK
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Ep 337: Social-inclusive delivery with Scootbezorgd
02/27/2024
Ep 337: Social-inclusive delivery with Scootbezorgd
Myrthe Rosema, founder of social-inclusive delivery start-up Scootbezorgd, discusses the practical and social impact of last mile delivery via mobility scooter. The inspiration for Scootbezorgd Changing perceptions of mobility scooters Current operational area Using customised mobility scooters to ensure range Empowering people of differing physical and mental abilities to deliver B2B and B2C deliveries Fast (same-day and rush) delivery Paying couriers Waiting list to join Scootbezorgd Delivery technology and route planning Delivery scooters can traverse different topographies Riding on footpaths, in malls, and in restricted access / low emission city centres Future plans for Scootbezorgd, including returns and partnerships Proving the delivery and business model in Arnhem
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Ep 336: New trends in e-commerce impacting delivery
02/20/2024
Ep 336: New trends in e-commerce impacting delivery
Carmen Cureu, Market Research Director at Geopost, discusses some of the details in the 2023 edition of Geopost's e-shopper barometer. The factors driving modern e-commerce Why convenience is important E-commerce allowing customers to find bargains Decisions shoppers make when purchasing online Products need to be aligned with consumers' expectations Barriers to e-shoppers returning to an e-commerce website Consumers want to avoid returns Cost and environmental considerations of e-commerce returns Inconvenience to consumers of dealing with returns Statistics on e-commerce returns C2C e-commerce embraced by online shoppers Social selling, and how it showcases products Home delivery popularity trends Tracking, rescheduling, and predictability for home delivery Next day delivery, alternative delivery locations, and out-of-home delivery E-commerce product categories across Europe
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Ep 335: Building efficient out-of-home delivery networks
02/14/2024
Ep 335: Building efficient out-of-home delivery networks
How can delivery companies build efficient out-of-home delivery networks? Cédric Hervet, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Kardinal, discusses the challenges industry players face in finding the best locations for PUDOs and lockers in terms of profitability and customer coverage: Why delivery companies are considering out-of-home delivery Differences between B2B and B2C parcel delivery First-time delivery Delivery density Cost per delivery Key factors in making out-of-home delivery a success Customer expectations Having trusted PUDO partners Offering customers multiple delivery options, including residential and out-of-home C2C deliveries Quality of service, cell availability at parcel lockers, PUDO staff training Challenges in building effective out-of-home delivery networks Connecting to existing OOH networks Network and territory coverage Defining what coverage means for each delivery area Optimising the process for building OOH networks Anticipating parcel hold times
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Ep 334: Snapshot of global postal sector
02/07/2024
Ep 334: Snapshot of global postal sector
Luke Lloyd, Head of Markets at the IPC, discusses some of the key findings from the IPC's Global Postal Industry Report. GPIR based on various postal operators' reports Overview of post-pandemic parcel volume and revenue trends Letter volume trends Impact of pandemic on letter volumes Diversification of revenue, including letters, parcels, and financial services Variations in diversification across various postal operators Regional differences in letter and parcel volume trends
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Ep 333: Swiss Post transporting more mail and parcels by rail
01/31/2024
Ep 333: Swiss Post transporting more mail and parcels by rail
Titus Bütler, Head of Transport at Swiss Post, explains why and how Swiss Post is moving more mail and parcels by rail. How demands for speed and flexbility drove growth of road freight in the past Energy efficiency of rail vs trucks Rail terminals at Swiss Post logistics centres Ecological and economic benefits of prioritising rail Hybrid locomotives going into logistics centres Length vs speed of freight trains Rail being used for letters and parcels Special mail wagons Moving mail and parcels from logistics centres to rail terminals Dedicated postal trains Congestion on Swiss railway network Operating mail trains during the day and night Meeting delivery punctuality targets Using narrow gauge railways Swiss Post's sustainability strategy, including delivering using electric vehicles in the last mile
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Ep 332: Wienbox, Vienna's carrier-neutral parcel locker network
01/23/2024
Ep 332: Wienbox, Vienna's carrier-neutral parcel locker network
Vienna has set up a carrier-neutral parcel locker network called Wienbox. Some of Wienbox's key proponents discuss the parcel locker network's development and future. Monika Unterholzner, Deputy Director General of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group, whose responsibilities include logistics, Prof. Dr. Andreas Breinbauer, Head of the Logistics Department at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna, who led academic support for Wienbox project, and David Strauß, Researcher Logistics and Transport Management, University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna cover: City issues such as emissions, public transport, and city logistics Creating a framework for city logistics Creating a parcel locker policy for City of Vienna Testing parcel lockers as a city logistics instrument Use of public space Developing a masterplan for city logistics in Vienna Involving various stakeholders in creating policy Using parcel lockers as micro hubs for logistics Developing use cases for parcel lockers, including public transport lost and found City utilities and municipal departments involved in Wienbox Backing up the project with science and academic research Parcel locker partners Looking for best practice in white label parcel lockers worldwide Critical factors for parcel locker network success - cost, location, environment, and customer satisfaction Customer perspectives of parcel lockers Results of customer survey Factors that increase likelihood of customers using parcel lockers Realising potential environmental benefits of parcel lockers Who can use Wienbox parcel lockers (including delivery companies) Criteria for parcel locker locations Lockers excluded from public space in Vienna Relationship between parcel locker network density and speed of parcel collection Future developments planned for Wienbox parcel lockers Size and spread of the Wienbox parcel locker network Mobile app for parcel locker access
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Ep 331: Mustafa Tonguç, MD DHL Express Germany, on resilience and B2B e-commerce
01/15/2024
Ep 331: Mustafa Tonguç, MD DHL Express Germany, on resilience and B2B e-commerce
Mustafa Tonguç, Managing Director at DHL Express Germany, discusses supply chain resilience and the growth in global B2B e-commerce: Why supply chain resilience is crucial Manufacturing being stimulated around the world DHL helping customers create new supply chains Enabling late customer checkout times for next-day delivery Omni-shoring, near-shoring and friend-shoring Sustainability and ethically sourced materials Digitalisation, automation and labour market issues Growth in B2B e-commerce Examples of B2B retailers selling online Expectations of B2B e-commerce shoppers Tips for improving cross-border B2B sales Two-person delivery On-demand delivery
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Ep 330: Update on international parcels with Kate Muth, IMAG
01/09/2024
Ep 330: Update on international parcels with Kate Muth, IMAG
Kate Muth, Executive Director at IMAG (International Mailers Advisory Group) discusses developments in international mail. Being awarded the Megan J Brennan Award by Women in Logistics & Delivery Services (WILDS) US de minimis threshold - currently $800 Modernisation of US Customs STOP Act 2.0 update AED / EAD exemptions Opioid crisis, counterfeiting and forced labour Inbound parcel volumes under the de minimis threshold US outbound international mail ICS2 Brazil e-commerce compliance Indonesian regulations on e-commerce and social media Making cross-border shopping seamless Improving AED/EAD compliance
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Ep 329: IPC SMMS emissions reduction and sustainability
01/02/2024
Ep 329: IPC SMMS emissions reduction and sustainability
Luke Lloyd, Head of Markets, IPC (International Post Corporation) discusses the 2022 results of the IPC Sustainability Measurement and Management System. Background to development of the IPC's SMMS Carbon emissions, health & safety, circular economy 31 postal operators report under SMMS, including 100,000 buildings, 600,000 vehicles, and 1.3m employees Progress towards 2030 targets, including renewable energy, alternative fuel vehicles, and recycling, and CO2 emissions Scrutiny of reporting Sharing of best practice Electrifying the middle mile Sustainable aviation fuel Using rail to reduce carbon footprint Reusable packaging The change from letters-focus to parcels-focus Exploring carbon footprint of cross-border items Consumer, retailer and regulator demand for greater visibility of delivery emissions
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Ep 328: Bumper end-of-year episode
12/28/2023
Ep 328: Bumper end-of-year episode
In this special end-of year episode, Jonathan Bouaziz (Kardinal), Kevin Seller (Escher), Will Simpson (Kantar) and David Spottiswood (Hurrican) cover different aspects of the postal and delivery world. Jonathan Bouaziz, CEO at Kardinal, discusses: Optimising PUDO networks Understanding the implications of making changes to a PUDO network Merging letter and parcel delivery Creating delivery efficiency in combining letter and parcel last mile delivery Frequency of delivery, including in rural areas Kevin Seller, Chief Sales Officer at Escher, covers: Analysis of major issues facing post office networks Variabilizing costs in fixed networks Using self-service in post office networks Tailoring range of services in different post offices Returns at post offices Post offices at e-commerce distribution hubs Simplifying IT in post office networks Will Simpson, Client Direct at Kantar's Postal & Logistics unit, discusses: Changes in postal regulatory environment Service quality, price, and competition Regulation and parcel delivery Sustainability in delivery and logistics Measuring effectiveness of mail David Spottiswood, co-founder at Hurricane, covers: ICS2 implementation update Providing the right data to ensure uplift with airlines New legislation and de minimis changes Enforcement of existing cross-border legislation Customs and border protection Cross-border returns C2C cross-border shipments, including post office lodgements
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Ep 327: US Postal Service operations and strategy
12/18/2023
Ep 327: US Postal Service operations and strategy
Mike Plunkett, President at PostCom, and Mark Fallon, President of the Berkshire Company, discuss the state of affairs at the US Postal Service. Vacancies on USPS Board of Governors and impact on day-to-day USPS operations Employee headcount Letter pricing and price increases PRC's role in postal pricing Letter volume decline Ambiguity in the USA's Universal Service Obligation Driving efficiencies in letter delivery USPS losses and legislative reform Optimized Collection, Delivery Unit consolidation and changes to mail collection times Leveraging the USPS post office network Handling non-postal business at the post office Upgrading and improving the USPS logistics network in 2024 Are postal employees prioritising Amazon parcels? USPS parcel lockers Optimising post office locations
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Ep 326: Analysing major trends in the US last mile
12/12/2023
Ep 326: Analysing major trends in the US last mile
Dean Maciuba, Managing Partner (USA) for Crossroads Parcel Consulting, analyses the major trends in the US last mile over the past 12 months. Observations on 2023 peak season parcel volumes Technology allowing shipper diversifications and managing multiple carriers Surcharges pushing shippers to find alternatives to UPS or FedEx UPS and FedEx being aggressive in discounting Retailers taking delivery in-house Local delivery services allowing retailers to offer fast delivery Using local stores as delivery centres Retailers setting up sortation centres Walmart GoLocal delivery service delivering for other companies Delivery allowing Walmart and Target to compete with Amazon Amazon shipping more parcels than UPS and FedEx Amazon's B2B e-commerce business Amazon up-selling to businesses Economic conditions impacting e-commerce and delivery
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Ep 325: Denmark abolishes the USO... almost
12/04/2023
Ep 325: Denmark abolishes the USO... almost
Denmark has been at the vanguard when it comes to changes to letter delivery and digitisation of letter services. But new changes to the universal service obligation will have far-reaching implications for letter and parcel delivery in Denmark. Mindaugas Cerpickis and Jacob Østermann from Copenhagen Economics analyse the changes and implications for the postal world. Background to the USO being "abolished" Post Denmark's freedom to vary letter pricing and delivery schedules to save costs Digitisation of government communications USO as we know it being abolished Drastic letter volume declines Parcel volumes reaching parity with letter volumes Internet penetration in Denmark e-Boks digital mailbox Centralising government services Replacing USO with tender process for targeted services Market delivering services Post Danmark's ability to provide USO without government support EU Postal Services Directive and UPU requirements Three aspects of USO being put out to tender: island communities, services for the blind, and international mail Expectations that the market will cover the rest of the USO Letterboxes and parcel lockers in island communities Universal access to delivery infrastructure Monitoring the market to see if there are any shortcomings in providing letter services Could the Danish model be used in other postal markets? Future of postal regulation Understanding social expectations of postal services
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Ep 324: New laws targeting last mile delivery
11/28/2023
Ep 324: New laws targeting last mile delivery
Roel Gevaers, Professor in Last Mile Logistics and Supply Chain, University of Antwerp, discusses new Belgian legislation targeting last mile parcel delivery. Definition of parcel delivery companies under the new law Obligations on delivery companies Minimum payment rates Intention behind this legislation Past scandals in Belgian parcel delivery Pay rates and social security payments Lack of oversight in delivery sector Complexity in the new legislation Returns seem to be exempt from the regulations Application to international companies delivering in Belgium Increasing compliance costs for delivery operators Huge administrative burden on small companies Last mile costs Out-of-home delivery The political cycle What will happen if other countries follow Belgium's lead?
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Ep 323: Tradeaze B2B same-day delivery startup
11/21/2023
Ep 323: Tradeaze B2B same-day delivery startup
Jack Hopkins, CEO and co-founder of Tradeaze - a same-day delivery service for the building and trades sector - shares how Tradeaze started and the delivery need it fills: What drove Jack to found Tradeaze The need for tradespeople (tradies) to have access to fast supply of parts How the parts market works How merchants service spare parts needs The Tradeaze platform for shipping spare parts Offering a same-day service alongside merchants' existing "milk-run" delivery services Using Tradeaze as a back-up delivery service The range of delivery options Tradeze offers, from vans down to e-bikes One hour, three hour, any time today How the B2B delivery service saves tradies time and money Timeliness of delivery as a critical factor in the building sector Engagement model with drivers (employee and self-employed) Delivering large and heavy items The tech that underpins the Tradeaze delivery service Tracking consignments Matching vehicles to orders Consolidating deliveries and getting vehicle loading right Managing damaged, partially fulfilled, or missing consignments Role of CCTV in accountability Tradeaze looking to expand beyond London Dealing with returns Potential for value added services
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Ep 322: Out-of-home delivery with Geopost
11/15/2023
Ep 322: Out-of-home delivery with Geopost
Thibault Guez, Out-of-Home Project Director Europe at Geopost, discusses out-of-home delivery, including PUDOs, parcel lockers, delivery preferences and more: What is out-of-home delivery? Size of Geopost's out-of-home network Getting closer to the consignee Dominance of residential B2C delivery in some European markets Understanding local cultural habits Refrigerated parcel lockers Striving for innovative out-of-home delivery solutions Location of temperature-controlled lockers Format of PUDO points / Parcel Shops Changing rooms in Geopost Parcel Shops Label-free returns Digital labels Increasing interconnection between Geopost delivery services In-flight redirections Maximising usage of parcel lockers Anticipating parcel drop-offs at lockers and PUDOs Role of consignee-facing app Improving the customer experience via the app Encouraging recipients to collect parcels quickly
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Ep 321: Data driving delivery profitability
10/30/2023
Ep 321: Data driving delivery profitability
Robert Jordan, CEO at the Information Factory, discusses how data can be used to drive profitability in delivery and logistics. We cover: Harnessing logistics and delivery data Data is not just about reporting Falling letter volumes, volatile parcel volumes, labour pressures Postal operators dealing with operational issues in the network and the last mile Revenue optimisation Using data for performance and sales reporting Being price competitive in delivery and logistics The importance of having a data strategy Receiving and transmitting data What to look for when it comes to data quality in logistics Making sure data is fit for purpose Creating a cost model (activity based costing) Tying in with the general ledger Allocation of costs Ops cost per move Assessing profitability of customers and lanes Data underpinning optimisation of logistics operations Ensuring data is fit for purpose Observability
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Ep 320: UPS-Teamsters, FedEx, USPS, and Amazon
10/24/2023
Ep 320: UPS-Teamsters, FedEx, USPS, and Amazon
, Managing Partner (USA) for , discusses the ramifications of the UPS - Teamsters deal, FedEx’s cost-cutting, USPS reform, and Amazon delivery contractors. Impact of UPS’s deal with Teamsters How UPS was travelling prior to striking a deal with the union FedEx’s efforts to reduce its operating costs Amalgamation of FedEx’s Ground and Express networks FedEx’s improved competitiveness with UPS UPS parcel volume loss Losing low-margin residential e-commerce business Potential for lay-offs at UPS UPS’s focus on high-revenue express business FedEx’s low-cost contractor model Potential for UPS-Teamsters deal to raise wages across the sector Earning potential of Amazon drivers The war for talent in the last mile Amazon remuneration of Delivery Service Partners Employee/contractor classification issue FedEx’s experiences with mis-classification Dynamic pricing and surcharges in the USA The costs behind peak season Granularity of dynamic pricing Lack of transparency in parcel pricing US Postal Service reorganisation under PMG Louis DeJoy Volume decline at USPS Changes to USPS ground services USPS investing more in sales and communications Amazon’s encroachment into non-metro delivery Rural delivery surcharges Peak season preparations The extension of peak season
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Ep 319: External measurement for postal and parcel delivery
10/13/2023
Ep 319: External measurement for postal and parcel delivery
Margaret Persico, Senior Director of Postal and Logistics Unit at Kantar, and Will Simpson, Client Director at Kantar's Postal and Logistics Unit, discuss what external measurement means for postal, parcel, regulators, and e-commerce players: Transformation of postal operators Changes in capturing and reporting transit measurements Accurate real-time results powering improved reporting Transition from letters to parcels and impact on USO and regulation Complex delivery requirements need better data and measurement Consumer expectations on speed and reliability of letters and parcels The risks of poor customer experience in the last mile Competing on quality of delivery, and how data powers that Benchmarking against other delivery competitors Using measurement to evaluate the impact of operational changes Driving efficiency through external measurement What is important to measure? Why isn't looking at scanning data enough? Kantar's sample-based approach, including panels and tracking items Real-time data capture and speed of reporting Identifying under-performing parts of the delivery network Simple and clear metrics on items travelling through delivery network Identifying cause of delays and bottlenecks Future of measurement, including regulation, customer expectations, and use cases for measurement Monitoring call centre customer support Using data to have a comprehensive view of delivery performance
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Ep 318: Parcel lockers, emissions, and delivery efficiency
10/09/2023
Ep 318: Parcel lockers, emissions, and delivery efficiency
Ann Snitko, UC Berkeley Researcher and Chief Product Development Officer at Omnic on parcel lockers, delivery efficiency, and emissions. Reducing emissions in transport under the European Green Deal Optimising routes with parcel lockers Modes of transport consumers use for collecting parcels Parcel locker density and encouraging consumers to walk Load capacity issues Reducing the vehicles loading lockers Improving customer experience The importance of collaboration in building sustainability parcel locker networks Inefficient locker networks being inefficient from an emissions perspective Omnic's supply chain and its carbon-free production facility Consumer behaviour and the last mile's carbon footprint Same-day delivery and unnecessary emissions Predictable levels of service Aggregating services into one parcel locker system Omnic at Parcel+Post Expo 2023 in Amsterdam
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Ep 317: Strategic and operational priorities in last mile delivery
09/20/2023
Ep 317: Strategic and operational priorities in last mile delivery
Kardinal's Head of Business, Michael Anderson, discusses key findings from Kardinal's recent research into last mile strategy and last mile operations: Understanding postal and delivery companies' priorities in the last mile The importance of service quality in parcel delivery Environment and sustainability as a high level strategic priority Profitability Getting fleet and depot design right and routes optimised Pricing and rate negotiation Price and quality of service Organising last mile operations Getting the employee and subcontractor mix right Managing resources in the face of fluctuating parcel volumes Residential and out-of-home delivery Forecasting environmental impact of delivery fleets Fleet conversion to low-carbon alternatives Electric vehicle range Volumetric challenges of different vehicles Key challenges for the next decade in the last mile, including sustainability, service levels, and resource management Reducing driver churn Solutions to overcome some of these issues Making data usable in planning and forecasting
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Ep 316: Escher's Future of Posts 2023 research
09/06/2023
Ep 316: Escher's Future of Posts 2023 research
Brody Buhler, CEO at Escher Group discusses key findings from Escher's 2023 Future of Posts research. We cover: Acceleration of letter volume declines Fluctuating parcel volumes Major challenges currently facing postal operators Postal operators struggling to achieve profitability Changing letter and parcel delivery Capacity constraints or lack of parcel volumes? Bringing inventory closer to the consumer Delivery speed and revenue Macroeconomic challenges: inflation, profitability erosion, and the reshaping of commerce Postal strategy Loss-making postal retail operations Bringing digital enablement to physical locations Increasing network utilisation Growing cross-border volumes Technologies to achieve strategic goals Purpose-built self-service solutions Parcel lockers
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Ep 315: Forcing parcel locker networks to be open
08/02/2023
Ep 315: Forcing parcel locker networks to be open
Should parcel locker networks be compelled to be “open”? Roel Gevaers, Professor in Last Mile Logistics and Supply Chain, University of Antwerp, discusses moves to force Belgian parcel lockers to accept parcels from other carriers. bpost and Budbee operate the two most significant Belgian parcel locker networks Where Budbee parcel lockers are generally located Overview of major last mile operators in Belgium, by geographic area Amazon’s entry into the Belgian last mile - and seeming absence from the parcel locker scene in Belgium Why Belgian politicians are considering compelling all parcel locker networks to deliver parcels on behalf of all delivery companies Discussion about environmental differences between residential delivery and out-of-home delivery (i.e. parcel lockers or PUDO points) Consumer behaviour in collecting parcels Previous attempt at open parcel locker network in Belgium Commercial considerations in delivering parcels for other operators Operational considerations in open parcel locker networks Consumer enthusiasm for parcel lockers Keeping service levels and customer satisfaction levels high Comparisons with liberalisation of telecommunications Utilisation of parcel lockers Next steps in implementing the proposal Update on definition of delivery contractors (See Episode 293.)
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Ep 314: How urban logistics facilities can be good neighbours
07/27/2023
Ep 314: How urban logistics facilities can be good neighbours
Heleen Buldeo Rai, assistant professor at VUB, discusses her research into how urban logistics facilities can be good neighbours. Warehouses and logistics centres getting closer to the city centre What makes NYC an interesting city for studying urban warehouses Population density, strength of e-commerce and zoning Cross-docking operations in NYC Delivery activities happening at the kerb/curb Community ignorance of the supply chain Friction between local residents and e-commerce logistics Best practices for urban warehouses to be good neighbours Regulatory frameworks Streets accommodating personal mobility as well as delivery vehicles The aesthetical aspect of urban warehouses Eco transfer concept - consolidating urban parcels and using environmentally-friendly vehicles Blocks and buffers Organising traffic Urban warehouses and cities' sustainability transitions Reducing stem distance
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