Deutsche Post DHL reaches its GoGreen target

Deutsche Post DHL has recently reached a milestone in regards to its environmental protection program, GoGreen. The parcel delivery company has reported more than 60% of its global electricity demand is now generated from renewable energy sources.

Throughout the past 20 years, Deutsche Post DHL has increased its green electricity share by half, from 42% in 2012, to over 60% by 2014. The parcel company currently utilises its green electricity of over 99% in locations including Germany, the USA, the UK, Ireland and France.

Deutsche Post DHL currently utilises its GoGreen programe
throughout the UK, USA and Germany.

The improvements are part of a plan for the company to reduce its environmental impact. Its GoGreen program introduces technologies specifically designed to reduce energy consumption, in addition to reducing carbon emissions by transferring to using sustainable energy sources.

Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and Responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL, Christof Ehrhart, has commented: "Environmental sustainability is an integral part of our company strategy. Our efforts and the progress we make towards becoming an environmentally friendly company are...a sign of respect for the world we live in and...this also supports our customers' needs. We are...pleased to achieve yet another target on our GoGreen agenda by increasing our use of green electricity Group-wide to over 60%."

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.

USPS to invest in 75,000 package scan devices

The US Postal Service is to invest in advanced scanning technology in a bid to improve upon its track and trace effectiveness in regards to its packages. The new devices, referred to as Mobile Delivery Devices, have been provided by supplier Honeywell, and are expected to use various mobile communication networks to provide up-to-date and real-time tracking for packages.

Supplier Honeywell are providing USPS with
the new devices

The new devices will provide access to local USPS wireless communications as well as local USPS internal wired networks. They will collect data which will be communicated to local delivery offices. With plans to introduce up to 75,000 of the new devices, USPS are said to be distributing these across to city and rural carriers from later this year.

The deployment of the devices is set to take place over two phases. The first phase will see the devices introduced in major metropolitan areas and those areas where Sunday deliveries are available. The second phase will see further devices deployed in 2015.

The postal company has claimed the new technology will be able to support real-time scanning needs for its postal productions. Honeywell's devices are also said to exceed expectations in that data will not need to be input manually as often.

USPS has been gradually improving its scanning capabilities over past years. It is hoped that the introduction of this new advanced technology will help enhance its shipping business future.

Logistics can benefit from smartphone and PC tablet use, reports DHL

DHL has reported a trend that shows technologies initially designed for consumer use can also be incorporated into logistics. A study conducted by the Trend Research team at DHL has shown that low-cost sensor technology, such as Microsoft’s video-game camera Kinect and smart watches, can be used in logistics.

Logistics could see a future involving lost-cost technologies

Dr. Markus Kuckelhaus, Director of Trend Research at DHL Customer Solution and Innovation, explains “The success of Smartphones and tablet PCs has created a situation in which employees have better technology for personal use than they do for [their] business needs.” Kuckelhaus also goes on to say: “But they expect to have the same standard of technology at work. For this reason, we think companies have to step up and put Smartphone sensors in particular to work in logistics.”

The introduction in the use of Smartphones and PC tablets in the logistics industry could prove highly beneficial to logistics. The technologies involved could help aid in the processes of delivery. It has been possible for aspects such as acceleration, position and light to be monitored using these types of devices. These technologies could be applied to include the recording the arrival time of a shipment for example, as well as being used as a tracking or tracing feature, with the results then being uploaded onto an on-line viewable platform.

DHL has also invested time into testing several other application areas. Concepts have been developed to measure pallet volumes. The testing proved that measurements made by technologies that have the ability to detect depth were 50% faster when compared to using older technologies. Further to this, other benefits include the fill measurements of containers and trucks, in addition to the monitoring and tracking of damaged freight.

In terms of costs, sensibly priced technologies bear particular appeal within the logistics industry. While network development investments are usually accompanied with high costs, the mass production of sensor technologies could counterbalance this theory.

Customers are due to advantage from this new method as volume measurement will utilise networks of transport. Additionally, the emissions of CO2 would lower as a result.

UPS, FedEx and DHL make InformationWeek 500 list for technological innovation

The three of the largest global carriers: UPS, FedEx Corp and DHL Express have each been named on the InformationWeek 500 list this month. The list acknowledges businesses operating in the US for their technological innovation. Last year, UPS came 8th on the list, with FedEx in 35th and German company DHL coming in at 184th place. Although

FedEx has made the list every year since 1995. This year, FedEx was recognized for developing enhancements to its tracking functionality that provides an improved customer experience. The company is ranked number 108 on the list.

"For 25 years, the InformationWeek 500 has honored the most innovative users of business technology," said InformationWeek VP and Editor In Chief Rob Preston.  "Among this year's top companies, we're seeing a tremendous amount of innovation around data analytics, mobile computing and Web commerce in particular. InformationWeek 500 companies not only are embracing new technologies and technology approaches, but also new IT-powered business models, to drive revenue and profitability. Their results speak for themselves."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of business technology with its annual 500 listing, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments, and administrative practices of America’s best-known companies.

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

2012 UPS 8 , FedEx 35 , DHL 184
2013 UPS 45, FedEX 108, DHL 173

Nissan and FedEx Express unveil new e-NV200 all-electric delivery van

Yesterday, Nissan and FedEx Express presented the result of their latest joint venture, the all-electric delivery van, e-NV200. 

Cargo-friendly features

According to the automotive manufacturer, the e-NV200 features a new telematics system,  benefits from smooth acceleration, new power outlets and has enough space to transport cargo in its compact body. 

“As a global fleet operator, FedEx Express is always looking measures to improve the efficiency of its vehicles. (…) We are delighted to collaborate with a global player like Nissan in the development of an urban all-electric delivery van”, said Russell Musgrove, MD of Global Vehicles at FedEx Express.

Image c/o autoguide.com

Nissan to reduce carbon emissions

When developing e-NV200 Nissan primarily focussed on finding a mobility solution for entrepreneurs whilst also featuring components to help save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Tests began back in December 2011 in order to see if the 100% electric vehicle could perform in real-life situations. 

Hideto Murakami, corporate vice president, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, promised, “the eNV-200 [would] offer all the spaciousness, versatility and practicality of a traditional diesel or gas-powered compact van, but with zero CO2 or other pollutant emissions at the point of use. What’s more, it will provide an outstanding driving experience that is unique to EVs.”

All-electric parcel delivery vans for FedEx Express

By currently operating 130 all-electric vehicles worldwide and more to come in the near future, the courier company, FedEx Express, hopes to decrease its carbon footprint. According to FedEx Express, 80% of its overall goal of increasing the global fleet’s carbon emissions by 20% by 2020 had already been achieved.

Nissan and FedEx have been testing their e-NV200 in London as well as on the roads of Japan and are hoping to expand to Singapore, USA and Brazil by 2013.

Source: news.van.fedex.com

UPS introduces new handheld computer DIAD V to 100 countries

Lighter, smaller with an auto-focus flash camera and a microprocessor with expanded memory. These are  the main features of UPS' latest handheld computer, the DIAD V (5th gen. Delivery Information Acquisition Device).

 

Image c/o Computerworld.com

DIAD V vs DIAD IV

Unlike its predecessor, the DIAD IV, the new DIAD model incorporates a larger, bespoke display and appears to be lighter - with a weight of only 19 ounces and yet, it is said to be more durable. 

With its new high-tech computer UPS hopes to increase the delivery of tracking information as well as its drivers’ efficiency levels.

According to UPS, the DIAD V should make it possible to track more than 16 million daily deliveries. The new device is UPS' mobile response to “technology that powers logistics”. 

Its integrated camera can, for instance, be used to take pictures of damaged items and speed up customer claims.

 

DIAD V goes global

“What began 20 years ago as a bulky brown box with a monochrome screen has grown into a sleek, light-weight mobile device that allows UPS to be even more reliable for customers in 220 countries”, said David Barnes, chief information officer at UPS.

After initial tests back in September 2011, the parcel delivery company now decided to distribute the computer across 100 countries. By the end of 2013, 100,000 units should be used by UPS drivers worldwide.

Source: UPS

Related articles

• UPS honours 5,842 Circle of Honour drivers for decades of safe driving 
• TNT Express N.V. rejects UPS unsolicited offer 
• UPS Store gives $300,000 VetFran fund to military veterans of Operation Enduring Opportunity