Parcel Shipping

Deal Expands International Security and Protection for High-Value Parcel Shippers.

Fleet optimization and delivery tracking solutions improve “last mile” e-commerce deliveries, but success with final delivery depends on a solid process. Beginning upstream with DC network design, implementing fulfillment rules at the order management and WMS levels, and streamlining processes in the DC all pave the way for an efficient last mile.

Recently, I had to stop at my post office and get a signature before moving my mailbox about 60 feet down the street. I brought along photos so that the postmaster didn’t have to drive out and survey the area. She was agreeable, but requested that my neighbors and I get bigger mailboxes.

UPS announced yesterday that it has rolled out an average rate increase of 4.9 percent for its Ground, Air, and International parcel products that will go into effect on December 30, 2013.

The financially-beleaguered United States Postal Service (USPS) and e-commerce giant Amazon announced yesterday that they have teamed up in a joint effort focusing on Sunday delivery in the Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas, which kicked off last Sunday.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) this week rolled out various upgrades to its Priority Mail offering which it said have the potential to bring in more than half a billion dollars in new revenue in the next year.

Last week, Rotunda Capital Partners, a middle market private equity firm, announced it sold off global logistics services provider Worldwide Express to an investment group, which included a significant investment from Worldwide’s management team.

Despite the stop and start nature of the economy, parcel market activity—on both the express and ground side—is actually flourishing. While volume growth has been slight, parcel carriers are taking this opportunity to adjust and invest in service offerings to best meet shipper needs.

Earlier this month, Seattle-based EquaShip said it is temporarily suspending customer operations in order to re-engineer its transportation network for faster package delivery times, larger geographic coverage, and more service options.

This offering will enable shippers to ship a box—weighing up to 70 pounds—anywhere in the U.S. for one price, $39.95.

While it has only been a few months since Seattle-based EquaShip made its entrance into the parcel sector marketplace, the company appears to be highly committed to making itself a cost-efficient alternative for shippers that traditionally turn to the parcel duopoly of FedEx and UPS.

Financial issues for the United States Postal Service (USPS) remain front and center, with this week’s announcement that for Fiscal Year 20111 the USPS had a net loss of $5.1 billion.

EquaShip aims to provide smaller shippers with cost-savings that are typically only available to large enterprise shippers.

Following a December announcement in which Netherlands-based TNT N.V., a provider of mail and courier services and the fourth largest global parcel operator announced its intentions to “de-merge” operations by separating its Express and Mail operations into two separate companies, the company’s shareholders yesterday signed off on the move.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced this week it has introduced a new regional ground service for commercial shippers looking for an “economical solution for delivery of small packages.