Royal Mail will fight back against companies eating into its business by joining forces with one of its rivals.

The state-owned postal operator has granted a licence to UK Mail to handle packets up to 5kg in weight — the sort of goods mailed by the likes of Amazon or department stores such as John Lewis.

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Hermes, one of Europe’s leading home delivery specialists, has made substantial savings in its transport costs using optimisation software from Paragon Software Systems. Hermes uses Paragon to automate planning of deliveries from 14 of its 18 depots to final mile couriers throughout the UK mainland. The routing and scheduling software has already helped Hermes achieve significant efficiencies, with annual savings of £300,000. This figure is expected to increase following the use of Paragon at the remaining depots.

“Paragon has provided us with a range of tactical benefits already. It helps us with developing very accurate routes and has already saved us about £300,000 annualised, thereby paying for itself several times over. It is a good, easy to use, and fully functional solution for our operation. The software allows us to reduce our mileage – and this amounts to an average cost saving of £162 per year for every mile we don’t drive on a daily basis,” says William Ellis, Network Development Manager.

Hermes uses Paragon Multi Depot to plan optimised set routes allowing for narrow delivery windows of no more than 4 hours. Each delivery point – where drivers drop parcels to couriers – varies from urban to rural and, therefore, routing accuracy is essential to maintain maximum efficiency within delivery times. The software also enables the network management team to optimise use of the fleet, ensuring that the most appropriate vehicles are used for each delivery.

“Paragon gives us a big picture view of our delivery network allowing us to maximise the use of the fleet and fit the right vehicle to each route. Because the delivery points vary, the software helps us decide where we need to deploy 7.5 tonne rigids and where we are better using – or can only use - long wheelbase vans. It also helps us to identify where we are best using two vans rather than one ‘7.5 tonner’ and vice versa,” says William Ellis.

Hermes re-runs its delivery routes every 6 months to ensure that each depot is running at peak efficiency. This is important as couriers can change, leave the job or move areas.

“With Paragon we don’t really need to worry about the churn rate of our couriers. To ensure we are managing resources efficiently we simply re-run routes from each depot twice a year and that way we are confident of maintaining optimum routings,” says William Ellis.

CitySprint has relocated its Southampton ServiceCentre to larger premises in line with increasing demand in the area. The new ServiceCentre is located at the Solent Industrial Estate, Hedge End.

Mark Houghton, Southampton ServiceCentre Manager explains: "CitySprint has had a presence in Southampton for over ten years and provides courier services to a broad range of local companies. Due to increasing demand we had outgrown the previous ServiceCentre and it was time for us to move. The new 3500sq ft ServiceCentre is much larger than the previous one and gives us greater warehousing capacity for our clients. In addition, we are now even closer to the city centre and to the motorway. We are confident that our new Southampton ServiceCentre will enable us to provide even greater service levels to our growing customer base"

As a result of the move, CitySprint will be looking for additional self-employed couriers in the area to join the team at the Southampton ServiceCentre.

Royal Mail today welcomed the agreement reached with the Communication Workers Union on business transformation which paves the way for a strong and successful future for Royal Mail and its people and helps secure the Universal Service.

The company said it is extremely grateful to Roger Poole for his help and support in overseeing discussions with the CWU over the last three months and also thanked the union for the constructive nature of the talks.

The Agreement - Business Transformation 2010 and Beyond - means Royal Mail Letters can continue with its much-needed £2 billion modernisation, including the introduction of new automated machinery and delivery equipment and changes in the way our people work. It also ensures a fair reward for our people that reflects the vital part they play in the transformation of Royal Mail.

The three-year Agreement has the strong and unanimous backing of Royal Mail, the CWU leadership and Roger Poole. The union plans to ballot its members on the Agreement during the next few weeks.

Under the terms of the agreement basic pay and allowances for Royal Mail postmen and women will increase by 6.9 per cent over the three years from April 1st 2010. Over the same period the working week will be reduced by one hour to 39 hours.

In addition to these changes in basic remuneration Royal Mail will pay lump sums totalling £1,000 per full-time individual - linked to the introduction and delivery of the planned changes - to further reward them for their part in the modernisation of the business and to reflect the scale of the transformation Royal Mail needs to implement over the coming years. The payments will be made pro-rata to part-time employees.

Adam Crozier, Royal Mail Group Chief Executive, said: "This agreement is good for the business as it allows Royal Mail to get on with its modernisation, it’s a good and fair deal for our people, and it’s a good deal for our customers as it ensures stability over the next three years. It is a real credit to all those involved - both in the company and the union - and I’m grateful for all their hard work. I’m also grateful to Roger Poole for his help and support over the last few months."

Mark Higson, Managing Director of Royal Mail Letters, said: "This three-year agreement is an important achievement for the Letters business and its people and one which breaks new ground in our relationship with the CWU. I’d like to thank the teams in Royal Mail and the union who made it happen, as well as Roger Poole for his input and support."

"The Agreement is crucially important in allowing Royal Mail to compete successfully in the highly competitive communications market and to help counter the effect of the ongoing decline in traditional mail volumes. It enables the business to rapidly complete the introduction of the latest generation sorting technology and new delivery methods to improve efficiency. It also enables us to protect as many full time jobs as possible while at the same time giving our people the best possible tools for the job."

Retail solutions specialist Torex has implemented a nationwide next day courier service from APC Overnight for its mobile computing support division.  The Torex Mobile POS Support department supplies Motorola, Intermec and other Mobile POS terminals to a range of customers throughout the UK. Since using the parcel network, Torex has improved its customer service levels and has a clear view of shipping costs. This also enables the company to compile accurately priced new business proposals based on guaranteed next day deliveries.

“We chose APC Overnight because we needed a more flexible, guaranteed next day delivery service that would better suit the needs of our customers. We are a demanding customer because our clients need our products to run various functions with the mobile computers in their stores. Late delivery of new equipment could cause major problems for them. Also, in the event of a mobile computer failure, or when faced with routine repairs, we have to be sure that the exchange equipment is delivered to them when they expect it,” says Helen Slaven, Vice President of Retail, Torex.

Since using the network Torex reports that Torex Mobile POS Support department can now concentrate on the business as they no longer have to waste time chasing late deliveries and lost items.

“We have every confidence in our courier service. APC Nexday Overnight has ensured that when we say we will deliver product, we deliver it. The team has made urgent deliveries in person directly to customers from the Bolton depot. The drivers will also wait patiently for customers who need to return equipment to us, or they will return later on when it is more convenient for the customer. This is exceptional and it upholds our service delivery promises,” says Helen Slaven.

Torex Mobile POS Support utilises the NetDespatch online booking and tracking system, which was installed by the local depot. However, the company has not had to use the system to track shipments as everything runs smoothly and accurately to plan.

“The NetDespatch system speeds up our administration, and allows us to see our shipments as they move through the network. We have not suffered losses or late deliveries to date and don’t expect to, but we have the reassurance that we can quickly locate a parcel should we need to, allowing us to take corrective action,” says Helen Slaven.

Torex is the leading global provider of innovative, integrated technology solutions to the extended retail marketplace. The organisation has 20 years' experience of working in partnership with some of the world's most forward-thinking retail, hospitality, petroleum and convenience brands, providing them with cutting edge integrated software, hardware and services.

Pall-Ex is celebrating its network expansion with two new members.

Pall-Ex has announced Oxfordshire haulier DA Clayton Ltd and Suffolk’s Karl King Transport Ltd will join its 90-strong member network spanning the length and breadth of the UK.

DA Clayton’s established base location provides rapid direct access to the M40 corridor on the M1 and M4 and will enhance Pall-Ex’s award-winning service as well as echoing its commitment to excellence in customer service.

Karl King Transport operates in excess of 100,000 sq ft for warehousing at its Suffolk base from which it has evolved as a market leader in the de-vanning storage and delivery of customer goods entering the UK through the Haven ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich and Harwich over the past two decades.

Terry Reynolds at DA Clayton, said: “As a proud new member of Pall-Ex, we will have instant access to the No.1 overnight palletised freight network, providing an unrivalled nationwide express service which will inevitably enhance our service by working in partnership.”

Karl King, Managing Director at Karl King Transport Ltd, added: “Pall-Ex is a fast-moving, forward-thinking industry leader which promotes best practice by operating to the highest standards, and we are looking forward to benefiting from its expertise while continuing to maintain our excellent customer service record.”

Hilary Devey, managing director of Pall-Ex, said: “Joining the Pall-Ex network aims not only to bring real tangible benefits for new members such as DA Clayton and Karl King Transport across the UK, but it also allows us to remain at the forefront of the industry as one of the most innovative palletised logistics companies in the UK, continuing our expansion in order to combine best practice with an unrivalled service.”

Aiming to provide the highest levels of service quality for all its markets, palletised distribution specialist Palletline Plc has announced the appointment of a new Member Company to cover Dumfries & Galloway in South West Scotland, bringing additional resource and expertise to the Palletline network.

Palletline has introduced a series of high achieving companies into its well-established network over the past 12 months. The latest recruit is T P Niven Transport & Storage Ltd, based in Palnackie, Castle Douglas, whose credentials are well proven – the company lifted the road haulage industry's prestigious Scottish Haulage Company of the Year award at the recent annual Transport News Scottish Rewards event.

Founded in 1926, T P Niven is a family owned freight transport business with a reputation for quality, reliability and flexibility – three of the key operational philosophies of the Palletline network. Membership of Palletline is the company's first venture into the overnight pallet distribution market, although Managing Director Jim Niven has been considering the move for some time.

"We have built a successful business focused on providing creative, quality supply chain solutions that reflect current and future market needs," stated Jim. "The opportunity to join Palletline allows us to enhance the service offering to our customers, accessing an established network whose commitment to quality and excellence is as strong as our own."

Palletline's Managing Director Kevin Buchanan underlines the regional benefits of the decision. "T P Niven provide an excellent match in terms of business philosophy and culture," he confirmed. "They will play an important role in our commercial strategy to further enhance services in the Borders region to meet the growing demands of customers operating in this area."

Royal Mail today launched a new initiative with information from the "eBay market data" programme to bring a new, unique insight to UK advertisers, enabling them to improve their targeting to the postcode areas most likely to buy their products.

The Royal Mail Insight Tool provides access to over 140 million UK transactions through the online auction site, giving advertisers and planners unparalleled insight into the purchasing behaviours of postcode areas across the UK.

Celebrating our Annual Awards in fine style this year, Palletline Plc hosted a glittering Gala Dinner on Saturday, 27th February, attended by more than 300 people from across the Palletline network nationwide.

Designed to reward the organisation's top performing depots, the Palletline Awards were first introduced in 1993. Based on significant achievements made by individual Member Companies each year, the Awards are hotly contested and coveted by Palletline depots as a real measure of achievement and recognition from their peers.

In line with Palletline's focus on quality, the Awards line-up features a commendation for Delivery Depot of the Year, rewarding compliance with network requirements, accuracy and sustained service levels. To ensure depots of all sizes have an opportunity to shine, the Award is divided into three categories reflecting the volumes handled by each Member Company, ranging from Level 1 to Level 3.

Top performers in the Level 1 category were Market Harborough-based Sanderson Transport, with Newport's Alan R Jones & Sons Ltd taking the Level 2 award, reflecting the company's unshakeable position at the top of the weekly KPI tables. Southampton-based Lambert Brothers Haulage Ltd scooped the prize for the Level 3 (higher volume) award.

Reflecting Palletline's proactive approach this year to business development support, the Business Development Award went to Nottingham's Clearway Distribution Ltd, recognising the company's year on year increase in volumes as well as investment in sales resources.

For a full list of the winners and runners-up for 2009, click here

After becoming disabled with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, Mark Livsey began to despair of ever working again.

Out of work for 18 months, he would apply for jobs and get as far as the interview stage, before they started asking questions about his disability. Then he wouldn't hear from them.

So Mark decided to set up his own business. From past experience, working in sales for a parcel delivery business, Mark knew that most big freight companies often sub contract work to smaller local companies.

Mark drew up a business plan and approached Nightfreight. We were so impressed, we gave Mark a contract.
He then approached the Prince''s Trust who offered him a low-cost loan which allowed Mark to get started by hiring a van and recruiting a driver.

That was in 2007. Three years later, Mark''s company ''Parcel Partners'' has a fleet of 20 vans and a string of well-known customers.

DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider, today completes the sale of its UK domestic parcel business to Home Delivery Network (HDN), as announced on 5 January 2010.

DHL Express is the UK market leader in international express delivery, and will now fully focus on its core businesses of Time Definite International and Same Day express courier services.

DHL, with approximately 50,000 employees working for DHL Express, DHL Freight, DHL Global Forwarding, DHL Supply Chain, DHL Global Mail and Williams Lea, remains one of the largest employers in the United Kingdom.

Vehicle tracking company Masternaut Three X has been chosen as the official tracking supplier for Sport Relief’s Million Pound Bike Ride. The company’s GPS tracking system is being used to track seven celebrities during their gruelling charity cycling challenge which began 1st March and will see them go from John O’Groats to Lands End.

Little Britain star David Walliams, Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton, Big Brother host Davina McCall and comedians Jimmy Carr, Miranda Hart, Russell Howard and Patrick Kielty are cycling a staggering 1000 miles in four days to raise £1 million for Sport Relief. This incredible team will take turns to cycle non-stop across the UK

The Sport Relief cyclists are carrying special Masternaut GPS tracking devices allowing everyone to track the riders live during their 4 day event.

Masternaut’s Managing Director, Martin Port commented “It’s fantastic that we’ve been chosen to provide the technology to support such a high profile event which supports such as fantastic cause. We were also recently chosen to be the official tracking provider for Laurence Dallaglio’s Cycle Slam which saw the Rugby star cycle across Europe.”

When not tracking celebrities, Masternaut’s tracking systems are used by companies like Ann Summers, Ringway, Air Products, United Biscuits and Tarmac who use the technology to lower their CO2 emissions and keep workers safe.

Sport Relief’s other events will run from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st March. The whole of the UK will come together to get active, raise cash and change lives. It has a unique history of dedicated people doing extraordinary things to make a difference - from David Walliams’ swim across the English Channel, to Eddie Izzard’s amazing marathon a day around the UK. All the money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.

People wanting to track the celebrities live or make a donation should visit www.sportrelief.com and click on ‘The Million Pound Bike Ride’.

CitySprint has acquired Coventry based Goldstar Couriers for an undisclosed sum. The deal further strengthens CitySprint's position in the Midlands following a series of three strategic acquisitions in the region in the last sixteen months. CitySprint already has an established presence with major ServiceCentres in Warwick, Birmingham, Telford and Nottingham.

Goldstar Couriers, a family run business, was established in Coventry over 25 years ago and is one of the oldest established courier companies based there. It boasts an impressive number of local customers across all sectors. From Monday 1st March 2010 Goldstar will trade as CitySprint, operating from CitySprint's MidlandsCentre in Warwick. Caroline Davey, current owner of Goldstar Couriers, will remain at CitySprint and several Goldstar Couriers will also be joining the CitySprint team to ensure continuity of service for customers.

Caroline explains "My family and I have worked hard over the last 25 years to build Goldstar Couriers into an established and reliable local courier company and we have a loyal customer base, some of whom we have been providing services to for over 20 years. In the current economic climate it has been a struggle for small businesses like us, joining forces with CitySprint enables us to offer our customers an enhanced service and access to leading edge technologies and a national network of over 1500 couriers – something that we simply could not offer on our own. Our customers have always been our main concern and we have chosen to join forces with CitySprint as we are 100% confident that they will look after our customers and continue to provide them with an excellent service as we have done for the last 25 years".

Goldstar customers will now benefit from the opportunity for improved collection and delivery times made possible by CitySprint's unique national network of 30+ ServiceCentres. They will also have increased visibility over their bookings via CitySprint's sector leading OnLine services. CitySprint operates the largest GPS enabled SameDay fleet in Europe which allows its customers to benefit from real-time information at the touch of a button. Via the CitySprint website www.citysprint.co.uk customers can not only obtain quotes and book jobs but they can also track the dedicated courier assigned to their job from the point of collection through to delivery. Unlike many other systems offered by competitors CitySprint's solution offers complete transparency by providing a real-time, live, map location of the courier undertaking each job, enabling customers to track the journey from beginning to end. In addition customers automatically receive a time stamped audit trail by email as well as the recipient's signature which can then be forwarded on as a hyperlink or PDF.

Commenting on the deal, Ben Haynes, Managing Director for the Regions, said: "The Midlands is an area of strategic commercial importance and over the past 16 months we have been able to significantly enhance our service coverage here which is a vital element in ensuring we are able to professionally support our national and local customers alike. Goldstar Couriers has a longstanding and justified reputation for service excellence and I am therefore delighted that they are joining forces with ourselves. We have further acquisitions planned for 2010 to further establish ourselves as the market leader for SameDay Courier services in the UK"