TNT delivers Tyrannosaurus rex skull from US to Germany

World renown courier company TNT has recently successfully delivered a Tyrannosaurus rex skull from  Black Hills Institute of Geological Research in South Dakota, United States, to the Fraunhofer EZRT research institute in Fuerth, Germany.

The 66 million year old skull was acquired by the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in the Netherlands in 2014.

The fossil, weighing a staggering 690 kilos, has undergone a high-resolution CT scan and a 3D x-ray to reveal images of its structure. The Naturalis Biodiversity Centre is due to present its research findings later this month. TNT will then provide the transportation for the specimen back to the USA.

Grant Cochrane, Global Special Service Director for TNT has said: "We are proud to assist the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in bringing a rare T rex skeleton to Europe. At TNT, we have the required expertise and a history of delivering very special cargo. But this is our first opportunity to handle a prehistoric
item of such research value."

FedEx to open gateway facility in Copenhagen in late 2015

FedEx Express has revealed its completion of the external structure on a new gateway facility situated at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark. The new build, worth 4 million Euros, measures at 8,000 square metres, with its opening date due at the end of 2015.

With the external building complete, the US company is next due to install "state-of-the-art" automated sorting systems, which have the ability to process up to 11,500 packages on a daily basis. Approximately 120 staff will be employed at the new facility.

The new facility is expected to use energy recovery technology on its conveyor belts which will capture energy from its movement and convert this into usable electricity.

Vice President for Finance, Europe, at FedEx Express, Helena Jansson, has said development so far has been "right on track." Jansson added: "It means we will be ready to help our customers in Denmark and Sweden boost their cross-border business during the busy peak season at the end of this year."

FedEx has recently been working alongside Danish social enterprise, Incita, to test the new facility's equipment. Christina Grontved, CEO of Incita, has said: "We are excited to play a role in testing the new FedEx Express facility. Fifteen employees at Incita are involved in producing 5,000 packages in all shapes and sizes in our workshop,, which will be used to test the new sorting system at the facility." She continued: "We hope that this project will help some of our employees re-build their confidence so that they can move on to new opportunities."

Packaging Your Goods: Tips & Tricks from Transglobal

At Transglobal Express, we understand that you want your goods to arrive at their destination in perfect condition. To achieve this, it is extremely important to ensure your shipment is packaged properly both on the outside and inside. Keep reading for tips and tricks on how to best protect your parcel during transit.

Preparing your Shipment

It is important to choose a suitable shipping carton - this is the box in which you place the goods you wish to send. At Transglobal Express, we believe your shipping carton should be:

• an appropriate size - ensure the box you choose is not too big or too small. Overloaded boxes may burst while under-filled boxes are likely to collapse.
• strong - your box needs to be able to cope with the weight of your goods. Heavy duty, corrugated cardboard boxes are ideal.
• high quality - ensure the shipping carton you're using is high in quality and in a good enough condition to withstand transit.

Remember! Do not use boxes which have dangerous or hazardous symbols on them. These will be stopped and incur costly fines by the carrier.

Inside your Shipment

It is important to ensure your goods are protected inside your carton. Using materials, such as bubble wrap, is ideal for preventing your goods moving or breaking during transit. We suggest that particularly fragile items are placed near the centre of the package, making sure they do not touch the sides of the carton being used.

Transglobal's Top Tip
Fill in any remaining space within your box with additional cushioning materials. This will minimise potential impact on your items during transit.

Did you know? We have recently launched our brand new online shop!

You can now purchase high quality and affordable packaging supplies and accessories from our new online shop. Visit today to browse our wide variety of products, including bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and tape. Your parcel is precious, package it with care!

For further help and advice, visit the packaging information page on our website.

TNT to offer discounts to SMEs for European exports

Parcel carrier TNT has said it it to launch a key marketing push throughout Europe to entice small business customers to expand their sales on an international scale. TNT is to offer a 20% discount to new customers if they export shipments of up to 250kg to any of nine key European countries. These countries include UK, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

The offer is due to run for three months with day-definite delivery services by air and road qualifying for the discount. Existing customers of TNT will also benefit from the reduced prices. TNT has said 70% of its goods are exported within Europe are sent to countries within its "Blue Banana" zone, named after an expression which is regularly used to describe the densest business region in Europe stretching from England to Italy.

Managing Director for TNT International Europe, Ian Clough, has said: "TNT's initiative will encourage European SMEs to look beyond their domestic markets. Exporting to Europe, and particularly to the "Blue Banana" countries, has become one step easier with TNT.

TNT offers CO2 efficient deliveries throughout Germany

Within Germany, parcel delivery giant TNT is now providing CO2 neutral delivery for all express domestic shipments at no extra charge. The newly introduced service is aimed at helping SMEs and larger customers to make an environmental impact in regards to their deliveries.

In order to make CO2 shipping successful, TNT records how much CO2 is produced while transporting consignments, followed by neutralising the emissions produced with the same amount of CO2 credits.

CO2 Neutral shipping is also available for TNT customers and their international consignments. The new feature is part of TNT’s recently renewed range of CO2 efficient services. The new range is aimed to meet the needs of larger companies with broad knowledge of carbon reduction programmes, as well as SME that may solely rely on the tools provided by a third party. The future will see TNT introduce the new services within large European countries.

UK carriers suffer from Black Friday and Cyber Monday rush

Records are showing parcel volumes in the UK as struggling as carriers face difficulties keeping up as a result of last-minute changes to available services for e-commerce retailers. This comes as a result of the UK's recent adoption of the American Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.

This week, e-commerce company eBay extended its delivery estimates for all Royal Mail deliveries within the UK by one working day as a result of "record-breaking" parcel volumes.

Parcel courier Yodel has had to fully suspend its parcel collections as a result of the effects of Cyber Monday, giving the company opportunity to catch up after "unprecedented" parcel volumes.

Hermes, meanwhile, suffered differently this week when a small fire broke out at one of its facilities. The fire, which started on one of its conveyor systems, saw the facility out of action for one day with delays to delivery times of up to five days. Since the occurrence, the company has managed to reduce its estimate to two days. Hermes confirmed: "Further to our hub fire last week we are pleased to announce that nobody was hurt, no parcels were damaged, the hub machines are now repaired and we are fully operational again."

Alternative delivery options could be "tipping point" for UK e-commerce during the Christmas period

In a survey conducted by parcel delivery specialist company GFS, it has been reported that UK shoppers are using a range of alternative means as to how they receive their e-commerce deliveries in the run up to Christmas.

GFS has reported that approximately 12% of online orders are now delivered through 'click and collect' type channels. Commercial Director for GFS, Daniel Ennor, has said the forthcoming holiday could be the "tipping point" for some retailers when taking delivery methods such as parcel shops and parcel lockers into consideration. Ennor said: "Consumers have grasped the benefits of moving from high street to home delivery to 'click and collect'. There's no doubt from the volumes of parcels that we're managing on behalf of clients that shoppers are being more adventurous than ever before in how they receive their purchases."

Ennor continued: "Urgent official efforts to ensure consumers have a greater breadth of delivery options available are only going to fuel adoption still further. With the possibility of regulation around the corner, this peak season could be something of a 'tipping point' in terms of shoppers being made aware of even more choice."

UPS invests in cross-border e-commerce shipping company i-parcel

UPS is due to enhance its involvement in cross-border e-commerce to help its online retailers gain better access to transatlantic consumers. American company i-parcel specialise in helping provide localised versions of retail websites selling goods in local currencies, as well as being able to ship  to foreign consumers.

i-parcels is a company that was founded around nine years ago, offering its customers the power to shop using British and American e-commerce websites with ease and as if they were shopping in their own country. Once items are sold to consumers overseas, the company then ships to one of its i-parcel hubs in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, New Jersey in the USA, or Surrey within the UK. i-parcel then helps in assisting the transportation of the goods overseas via commercial airlines using local courier services.

Alan Gershenhorn, UPS Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, has said: "UPS continues to look ahead to the expanding worldwide demands in the ever-growing global e-commerce market. UPS continues to invest in capabilities that enable its e-commerce merchants to meet the growing global demand." Speaking of UPS's involvement with i-parcel, Gershenhorn also added: "i-parcel has been an international bridge linking US and UK merchants to global e-commerce consumers throughout the world and our team is excited to join with UPS to further globalise e-commerce."

TNT Express to invest $85m into building regional hub near Brisbane, Australia

TNT Express is due to invest 85 million Australian dollars into building a new headquarters distribution centre located near Brisbane, Australia. The new site will reach 72,000 square metres in size, situated at Redbank within the city of Ipswich. With construction to begin this month, its expected completion date is June 2015.

TNT Express has said the new depot will provide state-of-the-art parcel sorting technologies that will be able to process 15,000 parcels per hour, whilst also being able to cut carbon emissions by up to 20%.

The parcel delivery company is said to recruit from the local area; the facility is expected to introduce 300 full-time jobs.

Regional Director for TNT Express Queensland, Peter Gutsche, has commented: "The new TNT Express Redbank logistics hub will be a major facility in this important and growing area of Queensland. It will contain some of the most technologically advanced and innovative parcel sorting technology available to improve the operational efficiency and security of our customers' shipments."

The new construction is part of a broader investment for TNT Express in Australia, including the introduction of new "super hubs" in Sydney and Melbourne, due for completion in 2015.

FedEx entrusted with the delivery of T-Rex skeleton

A subsidiary of FedEx Corp., FedEx Custom Critical, has successfully carried out the safe transportation of a rare Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. The fragile skeleton has travelled from the Museum of Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, located in Washington, D.C.

The fossil, being 65 million years old, is due to be on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for the next 50 years, as per the terms of its loan with the museum. The skeleton will be the new centrepiece of the dinosaur hall, where it is expected to receive approximately 7 million views annually. Measuring at 38 feet in length and weighing a hefty seven tonnes, the skeleton has been branded "The Nation's T-Rex."

The impressive skeleton travelled from Montana to Washington D.C. within a specially-branded FedEx Custom Critical truck. The trusted truck was driven by a husband and wife team, with the vehicle being equipped with the most recent and advanced technology. Such technology included a GPS system which was programmed with the preferred route. 

The specially designed FedEx truck which transported the
skeleton to the museum in Washington D.C.

The journey of the ancient fossil took a total of 4 days, during which time thorough monitoring was providing. A new proactive system was implemented to help with the successful journey of the skeleton. FedEx were able to oversee the shipment and monitor specifics, such as the temperature, humidity and light exposure whilst it was in transit.

CEO of FedEx Custom Critical, Virginia Albanese, has said: "FedEx Custom Critical has the experience and expertise in delivering some of the world's most precious cargo, and this unique shipment showcases our ability to once again create a perfectly tailored solution for our customer. We are thrilled to have collaborated with the Smithsonian to deliver such an important piece of history to our nation's capital."

The first ever bone of the T-Rex has found by rancher Kathy Wankel in 1988 in the Fort Peck Reservoir. Due to the finding, a specialist team carried out an intense investigation around the surrounding areas. The search resulted in the discovery of 80% of the dinosaur's skeleton, which is considered one of the most preserved and well kept specimens known.

DPD to construct new parcel hub in Germany

World renown parcel delivery company, DPD, are to build a brand new distribution hub, costing around 11 million Euros. The new build is to be located within southern Germany in the bid to get closer to its customers within this region. Construction for the new depot has already begun at the Waldeck Business Park situated in Dinkelsbühl.

DPD's new addition will cover an area of 18,000 square metres within a 23,100 square metre site and it anticipated to open during the early months of 2015. The introduction of the new hub will provide up to 90 new job opportunities.

DPD Project Manager, Milad Zadeh, has said: "Closeness to the customer is an important competitive factor for us. Our new distribution centre in Dinkelsbühl will put us in the position to offer our customers in the region even better service."

The new depot will be located in Dinkelsbühl, Germany.

The new facility will be operational in parcel-sorting, and up to 16,500 parcels are expected to be handling on a daily basis. This will be met by the use of a 990 metre conveyor belt, with the aim of initially sorting 5,500 parcels per hour, and up to 7,500 per hour during the second phase.

Employment is said to consist of up to 65 delivery drivers and around 30 depot staff who will oversee daily operations. The newly added depot will be Germany's 76th DPD hub. DPD currently deal with over 2.5 million parcels daily within its international network.

Expansion sees FedEx Express open four new stations in Spain

FedEx Express is due to open four new stations, three to be situated within the Basque region of Spain with the fourth being on the south-east coast in Alicante. The European expansion will increase movement within their Spanish network, creating approximately 32 new job roles throughout the additional stations. This growth will expand on the 90 new stations FedEx has already positioned within Europe.

The courier company has said the Basque country is depicted as one of the most constantly developing areas of Spain with regards to business interest. There are around 158,000 businesses positioned in this area, in places such as San Sebastian and Vitoria. The expanding network will give customers within this area the opportunity to ship worldwide with expected transit times of one or two working days.

FedEx Express are due to create job opportunities in their
expansion plans.

There is now a demand in the export market for local businesses since the Spanish economy has started to recover. FedEx can see this increasing demand, seeing that the Basque region reached 13.8 billion Euros last year, a 5.4% increase from the previous year. FedEx Express began operating with Spain back in 1989 and now has employed approximately 445 people there. With their local headquarters based in Madrid, FedEx has a gateway at Barajas Airport which links to its main European hub at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.

FedEx will be creating 12 new jobs within their Alicante station where more than 129,000 businesses are currently based. Businesses based in this area are in industries such as textiles, shoe, marble and toy manufacturing. Within the first eight months of 2013, exports from this particular area were said to have been valued at a staggering three billion Euros.

Senior Manager of Operations for FedEx Express Spain, Ian Silverton, has spoken of how the company will be offering its expertise to local Spanish businesses: “Now we are even better placed to give our customers the local expertise they need to go grow their businesses globally.”

Silverton has also commented on the advantages in opening stations in the Basque region and Alicante: “The Basque business community has made a name for itself for driving research and innovation, creating a thriving business community with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.” He also described Alicante as being “known for its strong industrial research and development.”