UPS to expand its Canadian network

UPS has announced its plans to expand its Canadian network by opening three new operation centres within British Colombia. The operation centres are due to be located in Kamloops, Nanaimo and Comox, with the additional expansion of the already existing centre in Kelowna.

Pick up and delivery services for UPS customers in Kamloops have already begun, with this replacing its current agent being used. The scheduled expansion will further enhance UPS's already strong Canadian network, whilst also increasing the brand's reputation further into BC.

Michael Tierney, UPS Canada President, has said: "Expanding our service in BC and across Canada is fueled by market opportunity and customer demand. UPS continues to invest in new capabilities and network capacity to secure customers' confidence and enable their long-term growth."

The expansion is expected to be complete by November of this year, with it representing a multi-million dollar investment. UPS will see its physical presence expand by 36,000 square feet across the four new centres, with approximately 80 jobs being introduced.

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.

FedEx is ranked at 8th place in business magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list

Fortune, a popular business magazine, has recently published the results of a survey titled the “World’s Most Admired Companies”, with FedEx being ranked at number 8. The results of the survey portray a comprised list of the most prestigious and well thought of businesses.

Being featured in this list is not a first for FedEx, with the Memphis founded company having being highlighting on previous years editions. Since 2001, FedEx has been positioned among the top 20 companies as decided by Fortune magazine.

Fortune's edition including the "World's Most
Admired Companies" list

The survey takes into account nine separate characteristics and elements with regards to both financial performance and corporate reputation of companies when deciding the position of each within the list. Before arriving at their top 50, both Fortune, and consulting company, Hay Group is forced to eliminate from the starting from approximately 1,400 companies. After much elimination, the two deciders create an industry list of 57 companies. Analysis is given to rate the companies on nine separate criteria, from investment value to social responsibility. To make it successfully onto the list, a company must score within the top half of its industry.

To arrive to their top 50, the Hay Group asked approximately 3,800 respondents to choose the ten companies they admired and respected the most. The list at this stage is made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% from the previous year’s survey.

The finalised list shows other similar parcel delivery companies, such as UPS, narrowly missing out, with them coming in at position 32. DHL did not make it into the top fifty, but can be seen as being considered for it.

FedEx Corp.’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fredrick W. Smith, has said: “We are honoured to be included on the Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies List. This recognition is possible because of our 300,000 team members who strive to make every FedEx experience outstanding.”

DHL teams up to make music with German orchestra

DHL have joined together with the German symphony orchestra, Gewandhausorchestra, as their official support and logistics partner during their tour across Asia this year. Having been Gewandhausorchestra’s logistics partner since 2005, DHL will be responsible for the transport of the orchestra’s 115 musical instrument and complete orchestral equipment shipment, including music stands and stools, as well as the conductor’s rostrum and wardrobe, with the shipment having an estimated value of about 2.5 million Euros.

The tour will see the orchestra commence on March the 14th in the Chinese city of Shanghai, with the tour then moving on to Japan. The orchestra’s director Andreas Schulz has said “We have been touring Asia regularly since 1961. This is already our third Asian tour together with DHL. The cooperation has stood its test and we know that we can rely on our equipment being transported in a punctual and secure manner. We look forward to being able to focus fully on our music.” The concerts are to take place over a span of ten days with the tour due to conclude on March the 23rd in Tokyo.

DHL will be responsible for the safe and secure transport for the highly fragile instruments, with some of them even being irreplaceable. DHL have ensured that special, shock absorbent packaging materials are to be used that can also monitor the temperature of the instruments. DHL are aware of the duty they have been given, with DHL’s Trade Fairs and Events Managing Director Vincenzo Scrudato describing that “this calls for a very stringent schedule” that needs to be followed in great detail. Having planned the logistics surrounding the concert tour for approximately two years, DHL will face challenges in the short time gaps between the concerts themselves.

The opening concerts in Shanghai will be broadcast live on the 14th and 15th March for fans to watch online from all over the world. The concerts will be viewable from DHL’s website  from 12:30pm (CET) on both days.