The second part of the 10-year anniversary series features Achim Dünnwald, Group Area Managing Director for Central Europe at GLS Group, Kate Muth, Executive Director at IMAG, and Brody Buhler, CEO at Escher Group. Achim Dünnwald discusses: Drivers of B2C parcel volumes and the return to "normal" post-COVID-19 The growing emphasis on demands for flexibility over speed and reliability in parcel delivery. Role of out-of-home delivery in fulfilling customer needs Retailers such as Temu and Shein driving volume The role of AI in delivery Brody Buhler covers: Changes in how consumers buy online Inventory placement and fulfilment Competition in delivery - even from marketplaces and retailers - leading to fragmentation in the delivery market Importance of delivery speed to retailers How technology is changing the postal sector and last mile AI driving change in consumer interactions Kate Muth discusses: The evolution of Advance Electronic Data, including UPU initiatives Data, tariffs, de minimis, and the global exchange of data Demand for information on "what's in the box"
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Ep 370: Postal Hub 10th anniversary (part 1)
The Postal Hub Podcast is 10 years old! To mark this milestone, postal and delivery experts from around the world are sharing their perspectives on the last 10 years in the sector. The first part of the series features Holger Winklbauer, CEO at International Post Corporation, along with international postal and delivery experts Peter Somers and Derek Osborn Peter Somers discusses: Trends in e-commerce growth Postal operators transforming to focus on parcels Domestic vs cross-border parcels Covid upending the delivery landscape 20-minute delivery in UAE Competition in the last mile Response to declining letter volumes Customer delivery preferences in Middle East, including residential vs out-of-home Holger Winklbauer covers: Small parcels originating from China in the international postal system Demand for faster cross-border delivery Changing international rates and impact on parcel flows Role of consolidators, forwarders and airlines in cross-border e-commerce Getting warehouses closer to customers Online retailers taking logistics in-house Derek Osborn discusses: Change in the postal industry Managing the USO Culture change Predictions of postal doom Recognising the value of the post Repositioning the post
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Ep 369: Tech helping sorting centre operations
Parcel volumes are fluctuating, there's downward pressure on parcel pricing, and staff retention is increasingly important in warehouses and sorting centres. Dirk Van Lammeren, Chief Commercial Officer at Prime Vision, shares how robotic sorting solutions enhance sorting centre operations. We cover: 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
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Ep 368: Post Luxembourg moves into B2B with Inflow
Mario Treinen, Director Post Courrier and Logistics at Post Luxembourg and CEO of Inflow, talks about Post Luxembourg's big move into B2B parcels. Letter volume trends in Luxembourg Growth in B2C parcel volumes The B2B parcels opportunity Taking the B2C experience to B2B customers Inflow subsidiary coming out of its Michel Greco business Expanding beyond express B2B deliveries into transport and logistics The full range of Inflow services, including temperature-controlled delivery, warehousing, customs services, and more On-premises value added services for some customers How the B2B and B2C businesses interact Leveraging the postie network for selected B2B deliveries Cross-border B2B opportunities, including European next-day Managing mail rooms and other value added services
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Ep 367: Reforming de minimis parcels in USA and Canada
Kate Muth, Executive Director at IMAG, and Ellen McClain, Special Advisor to International Bridge and former deputy assistant secretary at Homeland Security, discuss reform of de minimis arrangements in the USA and Canada. Future Borders Coalition report on low value shipments History of de minimis in the USA Purpose and current rules for de minimis shipments Inbound de minimis volumes Concerns about illegal and illicit goods being imported using de minimis Benefits to consumers and some online sellers Weaknesses in the current de minimis system Areas that require reform, including poor data Collecting better advance data on cross-border shipments Using technology for pre-screening of goods prior to shipment Pre-clearance of goods Laws on fulfilling orders cross-border and eligibility for de minimis Would harmonisation on European regulations assist? Treatment of postal items vs courier items Missing data elements on cross-border shipments Difficulties in determining country of origin Compliance tools