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Tag: parcels

FarEye launches new order-to-door delivery solutions

Posted on by David Priestman

Global e-commerce sales are expected to grow to $7.4bn by 2025, more than double since 2018, leading to increased last-mile logistics complexity and heightened consumer expectations. FarEye is introducing new solutions addressing these challenges, oriented to key areas in the order-to-door delivery journey – ship, track, route, execute, and experience.

“Our mission from day one has always been to make the delivery experience better. Today, it is no longer just about delivery, it’s about the entire experience, from first click to order through to doorstep delivery,” said Kushal Nahata, CEO and co-founder, FarEye. “Companies must solve the last mile first, as the most critical, complicated, and costly aspect of the delivery journey. Our new solutions help companies turn the last mile into a competitive advantage, driving value, reducing last-mile costs, all while increasing brand loyalty and repeat purchases.”

FarEye’s products are underpinned by the FarEye Platform, an all-in-one low code/no code delivery logistics platform combining orchestration, real-time visibility, branded customer experiences, and business process management to ensure deliveries are on-time and accurate, from order-to-door.

These new modular products sit atop the Platform, and efficiently execute the last-mile delivery process, ensuring a seamless consumer experience:

  • Ship: Meet customers where they are, offering a flexible range of delivery options. Optimize multi-carrier-enabled deliveries for peak efficiency and on-time delivery performance.
  • Track: Provide real-time shipment-level visibility throughout the order-to-delivery journey, avoid delays and disruptions.
  • Route: Make deliveries more profitable with dynamic constraint-based route planning and scheduling.
  • Execute: Accelerate cross-dock and driver operations, leading to faster operations at the delivery hub or warehouse.
  • Experience: Deliver a branded, differentiated customer experience throughout the pre- and post-purchase process – from order tracking and scheduling, to delivery notifications to returns and exchanges.

Companies in the e-commerce and retail, big and bulky, and courier and logistics industries looking to increase operational efficiencies and create superior customer delivery experiences can download the new Last-mile Technology Buyer’s Guide on the FarEye website.

 

 

St. Modwen lets Hatfield DC to Yodel

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Logistics developer and manager St. Modwen has acquired a c.170,000 sq ft cross-docked distribution centre in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.

The high-specification distribution warehouse is located on the Hatfield Business Park, one of the South East’s premier distribution centres located  close to the A1 and M25, and just 22 miles north of Central London. The property is fully let to parcel delivery service Yodel, serving as one of its three national distribution hubs.

The asset comprises of high-quality distribution space, including 158 dock level loading doors, 233 HGV parking bays office accommodation and a staff welfare facility.

Hatfield is an established distribution location in the South East of England, with 83% of the UK’s population accessible within a four-hour HGV drive time. In addition, the local area’s population is forecast to grow by 4.7% over the next decade, compared to the UK average of 1.7%.

James Cooper, Head of Transaction, St Modwen Logistics, commented: “There has been a long-term shortage of modern logistics space across many areas in the South East of England. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a high-quality, exceptionally located warehouse let to a leading UK business, and continues our growth in the highly competitive submarkets in and around London.”

 

Packfleet steers away from gig economy

Posted on by David Priestman

All-electric delivery company Packfleet says it is revolutionising seasonal driver standards this Christmas by offering sector-topping benefits during the notoriously busy period.

At a time that is plagued with horror stories from drivers working for well-known courier companies, Packfleet is paying all its drivers above the London living wage, and provides private healthcare and pensions.

Workers will receive free lunch and snacks when they’re on the road, and £30 a month to spend at some of the 130+ merchants who ship with Packfleet – including meal kit service Dishpatch, and online cheesemonger Cheesegeek.

Packfleet will more than double its workforce during the seasonal spike, with a variety of part-time and full-time roles available. The business will be offering drivers permanent contracts once the Christmas period has finished, to help expand their operation across the country.

At a time where many cash-strapped Londoners are looking to supplement incomes, Packfleet’s seasonal staff are both paid 30% better than industry average and are set to be the best treated in Britain. Drivers from the likes of Yodel, DPD and Evri have already jumped ship, citing the better workplace culture as the main draw.

Packfleet says it isn’t just leading the way with driver standards, it says it is also protecting the planet. Its entire fleet is electric and charged by renewable energy, and it plants a tree for every parcel shipped.

Tristan Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Packfleet, says “We believe that every driver should be treated fairly all year round. You see office staff up and down the country receive all sorts of benefits during the festive season, so why shouldn’t it be the same for drivers?

“The logistics sector is rife with horror stories – especially during such a notoriously busy period – and we’re changing that. We don’t overwhelm our drivers with parcels, and our tech puts them on the quickest route possible, meaning they don’t have to speed around London to hit delivery targets.

“We’re bringing driver employment standards in line with the rest of the working world. The stories we hear from drivers at the major courier services are, quite frankly, unacceptable. It’s disgraceful that these have become the industry standard.”

Ayath Ullah, a delivery driver for Packfleet, says: “At Packfleet, we deliver on time, but I’m encouraged to speak with customers, and never feel overwhelmed with unrealistic delivery expectations. In my previous courier job, I constantly felt under pressure to deliver parcels quickly at all costs – but I’ve never felt that way at Packfleet.

“I’ve been here for over a year now, and my experience with them has been 10x better than at any other company. I love it here, and don’t understand why more businesses aren’t treating their drivers this well.”

Applications for the seasonal roles are open now, and prospective drivers can apply by following THIS LINK.

DHL Express expands Johor Gateway facility

Posted on by Keith McKinley

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has opened its expanded RM10.8m (approx. €2.35m) Johor Gateway located within the Senai Airport City industrial park. Spanning over 6,000 sq m of warehouse space, the facility is more than twice the size of its predecessor and will support robust trade growth in Malaysia’s southern region.

The new Johor Gateway comes equipped with a high-speed conveyor system capable of sorting up to 1,900 shipments per hour. This offers improved shipment processing for the more than 1,800 parcels and documents bound for and coming from the facility’s busiest trade lanes, namely the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. The faster transit times make for an uptick in service quality for customers in Johor and Singapore.

The facility’s opening was officiated by Yang Berhormat Lee Ting Han, Johor State Executive Councilor, and Investment, Trade, and Consumer Affairs Committee Chairman. Sean Wall, Executive Vice President of Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express Asia Pacific, and Julian Neo, Managing Director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei, were also present alongside representatives from local authorities, investment bodies, and customers.

“Johor has long emerged as a major centre of economic activity and recently recorded RM60.9 bn (approx. €13.3bn) in investments from January to June this year. This is the highest in the country and the highest-ever for our state,” said Y.B. Lee. “DHL’s continued confidence is a strong endorsement of our strategic position in Asia Pacific and our dynamic business landscape.”

Sean Wall added: “As one of the fastest growing economies, Johor remains a critical element of the regional DHL network. The Johor Gateway shows our commitment to enhancing connectivity for the countries and communities we serve. Through its upgrades, our new facility can rise to the demands of increasing cargo volumes driven by the state’s strong import and export performance.”

Managed by 135 Certified International Specialists, the Johor Gateway is designed with the highest security standards as per Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) guidelines. In addition to high-definition digital cameras that identify and capture shipment movement piece by piece, advanced X-ray and explosive trace detection (ETD) machines are in place.

In line with Deutsche Post DHL Group’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the facility is fitted with state-of-the-art solar panels and energy-efficient infrastructure that cut the release of greenhouse gases by an estimated 22%.

“The new Johor Gateway is a testament to the enormous extent that global trade has intensified. Overseas markets will remain important to help SMEs and large corporations realise their growth potential. With the bigger and enhanced facility, DHL Express can better help homegrown brands to get their business from where they are to where they want to be,” said Neo.

The Johor Gateway is one of six gateways across the DHL Express Malaysia aviation and ground network. This includes 11 service centres, 137 retail outlets and service points, 347 vehicles, 73 weekly flights, four dedicated aircrafts, and 1,500 employees to ensure comprehensive service coverage.

 

Cleveron and Clevon present new solutions at Gitex

Posted on by David Priestman

Estonian technology companies Cleveron and Clevon (Cleveron Mobility AS) will display their new solutions in the world’s largest tech show Gitex Global, held in Dubai from October 10 to 14. As guests of Etisalat, known for its remarkable technical innovation showcases in Gitex, the two Estonian companies have created a unique system for last-mile delivery.

Cleveron presents a smart, unmanned telecom service kiosk where customers can communicate with the company and collect their purchases via a smart screen and a robotic parcel locker. Clevon is showcasing the autonomous delivery vehicle CLEVON 1, which can be used to meet various last-mile needs like grocery, parcel or on-demand ready-meal deliveries.

Cleveron’s self-service and pickup solution consist of two Cleveron products, creating an unmanned smart service kiosk for places where a permanent representation is costly or complicated. The smart service screen Cleveron 103 acts as a service point where customers can connect with the company remotely via video and make the necessary purchases. The robotic parcel locker Cleveron 405 can be prefilled with popular items, so the customers can get their purchase instantly after receiving the order PIN code. The parcel robot also acts as a delivery and pickup point for general online orders. The smart kiosk is in the live pilot phase in Estonia.

CLEVON 1 is Clevon’s flagship autonomous multi-platform delivery vehicle. Designed to navigate urban environments with ease, businesses can choose from different CLEVON 1 models, including the Universal Platform, CargoBox (retail), Lockers (logistics), Truckbed (transport), and Mobile Cameras (security). CLEVON 1 has been tested on public roads in Europe for two years and is proven to be safe and reliable, is environmentally focused with zero CO2 emissions, and reduces last-mile delivery cost by 30%. Clevon’s third-generation vehicle CLEVON 1, is already providing services together with DPD Estonia, DHL Express Estonia and IKI Supermarkets in Vilnius, Lithuania, delivering groceries, among others.

Cleveron and Clevon are guests of Etisalat, the Emirati-based multinational telecommunications services provider, which is operating in 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. World’s largest technology show Gitex 2022 is held in the Dubai World Trade Centre, from October 10 to 14.

Cleveron is the world leader in robotic parcel locker production, offering hardware and software for parcel handover since 2015. The Estonian company’s solutions are used by retail giants like Zara, H&M, Salling and ICA; logistics companies like DHL and DPD in more than 47 countries worldwide.

Clevon develops multifunctional autonomous vehicles that help make home delivery of goods cheaper, faster, more customer-friendly, and more environmentally friendly. The company has offices in Estonia and the US, Texas. In 2022, Clevon was listed on the Nasdaq’s North Baltic Exchange (CLEV) after spinning off from Cleveron.

 

Smart Locker startup at Parcel + Post Expo

Posted on by David Priestman

Bloq.it is a Smart Locker startup relatively new to the tech market. Nevertheless, it has shown non-stop and exponential growth over these past three years.

Founded in 2019 and based in Lisbon with over 20 employees, it works to develop scalable and tailor-made solutions for businesses in retail, logistics, and other industries.

Its solutions are deployed in more than 15 countries, and it says it prides itself on having grown its business by 2,000% in 2021.

From the beginning, it committed to solving the most costly and tedious leg of all delivery processes: the last mile. This is how its software engineers and founders came up with an integral, adaptable and scalable invention that fits all business sizes and models.

With constant improvements, it says it works towards revolutionising the smart lockers industry, and becoming the biggest smart lockers manufacturer in the world and the most reliable partner of businesses to optimise their delivery operations.

At this year’s Parcel+Post Expo in Frankfurt, it will showcase a demo of its most recently developed product: The V-locker, a smart parcel locker tailored-made for the giant marketplace Vinted.

From the 18th to the 20th of October 2022, all Parcel+Post Expo Frankfurt visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the company’s demo unit.

This demo unit will simulate real smart lockers functionalities so visitors – whether technology or logistics enthusiasts or potential clients – can have a more realistic idea of how Bloq.it’s technology works and how it can solve most of the delivery pain points, such as delays, returns and porch piracy.

Bloq.it’s business developers and founders will be on Stand 2049 where visitors are invited to try out its state-of-the-art technology to understand the reasons why the young startup is the winner of different prizes, such as:

  • The ‘Most Innovative’ award at the Web Summit 2019
  • “Portugal’s top 10 tech startups coming out of Lisbon”, an award by EU-Startups it has won over the past three years
  • “Scale-Up of the Year”, Bloq.it‘s newest award given by the Startup Grind 2022 Global Conference in San Francisco.

 

The Future of Logistics is Modularity and Artificial Intelligence

Posted on by David Priestman

Element Logic has invested 15 million NOK (£1.3m) in OmniMod AS, a supplier of modular systems that does parcel sorting automation and processing by utilizing Artificial Intelligence.

OmniMod was founded in 2020 by Tobias Drage Roti and Seva Karpov as a part of their master’s thesis and stemmed from the research environment at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology). More specifically, the company has roots from Cybernetics and Robotics and has grown to employ over 15 students and graduates from NTNU. Tobias met Sander Engevik at NTNU School of Entrepreneurship in 2021, and the two have worked together in closing the investment round. The investment will enable OmniMod to accelerate its product development even faster, and in cooperation with leading actors in the industry, the start-up has several exciting projects ongoing to successfully bring the new technology to the market.

“Everyone in Element Logic is very impressed with OmniMod and their achievements in such a short time. The team’s competence in innovative parcel sorting and sequencing concepts, by utilizing AI is quite remarkable and constitutes a significant competitive advantage over other automation actors,” stated Dag-Adler Blakseth, CEO of Element Logic.

Element Logic is the leading supplier of warehouse automation solutions and the world’s first and largest integrator of AutoStore. One of Element Logic’s main priorities is to increase and optimize the product portfolio and to automate even more of the value chain. OmniMod’s technology has been verified and offers a unique and broad range of automation within logistics.

“Element Logic is an incredible company and has really achieved success because of their employees and culture. The people behind it are capable, trustworthy, and innovative, and therefore suitable investors to take the start-up to new heights. We look forward to continuing our cooperation and showing the rest of the world what we can achieve together.”, Tobias Drage Roti says, CEO of OmniMod.

Survey: growth opportunities for post sector

Posted on by David Priestman

Escher, a global leader transforming postal operators and couriers, has published the results of its fifth annual Future of Posts survey. The Future of Posts 2022 Report highlights insights from a total of 284 respondents from 91 national postal operators from around the world. This survey came as businesses were emerging from pandemic operations and makes it clear that Posts continue to focus on the opportunity presented by e-commerce and customer-focused priorities.

The Last Mile is Key

The survey results clearly indicate that Posts are investing in technologies that ensure delivery is as fast and efficient as possible. Posts are focused on last-mile delivery (41%) as their top investment priority, followed by digital transformation (37%), according to the Future of Posts 2022 survey. Posts realise that staying connected with their customers and in tune with their needs requires constant attention. As a result, customer experience also ranked high (34%), with Posts investing heavily in this area over the next three years.

E-Commerce Will Have Greatest Impact

83% of Posts believe that e-Commerce will have the greatest impact on their business over the next five years. Mobile technologies (37%), automation (24%), data analytics (23%), and smart parcel lockers (21%) are also expected to have a big impact on postal operations, according to the survey.

The survey paints a picture of a current and future landscape that is focused on customer-centric, self-service, and out-of-home delivery options. Posts’ current retail network strategies are focused on parcel lockers (62%), parcel shops/PUDO (43%), and self-service terminals (34%). Over the next three years, online stores are expected to be a key POS channel for Posts driven by e-Commerce and the pandemic. Self-service will continue to be a major theme for Posts as well, with smart lockers, self-service kiosks, and “start at home, finish in branch” all noted as key expansion channels.

“E-Commerce parcels are clearly a driving force, influencing Posts’ investment decision now and into the future,” said Brody Buhler, CEO, Escher. “To sustain ecommerce growth, Posts must commit to investing in last mile delivery innovation.  Transforming their delivery and retail networks to make them more market relevant is just as important as the investments they are making to expand capacity.  These changes are needed to ensure they keep costs under control and the customer front and centre at all times.”

Other Highlights from the 2022 Report:

Cost Reduction Initiatives: With respect to their retail networks, Posts indicated they will reduce costs by leveraging workforce management (43%), self-service (32%), new PUDO locations (29%), and analytics (28%). In terms of reducing costs for delivery networks, last-mile route optimisation (51%) is the most favoured method of reducing costs, followed by workforce management and optimisation (46%) and automation (43%).

Top Revenue Making Initiatives: e-Commerce was revealed as an area with the highest revenue-making potential for Posts. Third-party logistics and government services are also ranked high, providing Posts with new services and growth opportunities.

Data Utilisation: Utilisation of data analytics among Posts is high this year. 77% of Posts use data analytics to understand operational efficiencies and potential adjustments. Improving customer experience (70%) is also an area of focus for Posts followed by optimising last-mile delivery (69%).

CLICK HERE to download Escher’s Future of Posts 2022 report.

Last-mile delivery firms boost retention with technology

Posted on by David Priestman

The UK last-mile delivery market is integral to fulfilling consumer demand and getting vital products to the doorstep of consumers. However, as soaring costs continue to affect business owners, finding innovative ways to retain their best self-employed talent have become even more important.

Self-employed delivery drivers are the lifeblood of these businesses, heading out on daily routes for a variety of carriers and making sure that parcels get to their intended destination.

In recent years, the churn and turnover rates of these subcontractors between different delivery firms has been a constant headache for business owners, who have constantly needed to recruit and onboard new drivers to meet demand. Now, many of these firms are looking to address this turnover rate by using cutting-edge workforce management technology to improve the self-employment experience that they can offer.

Wise is a technology firm that specialises in helping last-mile delivery firms to manage their self-employed workforce, with an integrated platform helping over 250 UK businesses save time, money and stress.

James Orton, Chief Technology Officer at Wise, said: “We know that key areas of engaging subcontractors such as recruitment, onboarding, documentation and payments have always caused headaches for both delivery firms and their drivers. By bringing all of these processes into one simple, digital platform we’ve been able to vastly improve the experience that our clients are able to offer their subcontractors, helping them to improve their retention in the long term.”

As the industry moves towards winter and its busiest time of the year, the competitiveness around recruiting self-employed drivers is only set to intensify as this comes at a time when the UK has seen a 2% decrease in the total number of self-employed individuals.

 

Kite launches large letter postal boxes

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Slim corrugated boxes offer rigid protection to small items while fitting into the Royal Mail’s PiP Large Letter specification. This minimises and regulates postal costs, enabling a business to maximise their overall profits.

Kite Packaging is now offering its brown large letter boxes in five different sizes to cater toward everything from gift cards and small jewellery items to A4 documents or certificates. The sturdy construction provides greater resistance to the normal knocks and bumps that occur during transit when compared to bubble mailers or envelopes.

Additionally, the cardboard boxes are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic mailers and can be kerbside recycled by a customer. The flaps fold inwards and can be secured with a small portion of paper tape to form a fully plastic-free, sustainable and recyclable packaging solution.

Green credentials are attractive to a modern-day eco-conscious customer. The ease and efficiency of the order also enhances the customer experience since the slim letterbox design allows the package to be safely posted even if the recipient is not in.

Kite says the compact and lightweight boxes with hinged lids are an aesthetic way of displaying products, making them highly appropriate for the ecommerce gift industry. The eco-friendly composition and economic benefits confirm their suitability for growing businesses seeking professional packaging.

 

 

 

 

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