TNT Express in Holland has been testing an aerodynamic tail on the trailer of one of its trucks. During testing, the special tail – called “EcoTail” – reportedly reduced fuel consumption by 6 percent.
TNT Express in Holland has been testing an aerodynamic trailer tail
EcoTail is a foldable and retractable rear wing attached at the end of the trailer. According to TNT, the EcoTail did not pose any problems to the driver nor cause any delay while docking, loading or delivering.
The operational tests showed 1.65 litres of fuel was saved per 100km while driving on highways.
Before the trial could commence, TNT Express had to seek special permission from the Dutch Government to have a trailer that exceeded the maximum allowable length. The EcoTail sticks out about 1.5m.
The trial has been running for about five months, and TNT Express hopes to extend the trial to more vehicles.
The staff at the POAAL National Office wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2012
Season’s greetings to all Licensees, Contractors and Couriers.
POAAL’s staff looks forward to serving you in 2012.
Please note that the POAAL National Office will be open limited hours only between Christmas and New Year.
The ACCC recently released its report on the prices, costs and profits of unleaded petrol in Australia, which showed that while 2010-11 prices were around 8 cents per litre higher than in 2009-10 petrol prices in Australia remain among the lowest in the OECD.
According to the ACCC’s report, petrol price cycles continue to be of significant concern to consumers.
The ACCC report found that petrol price cycles are not responses to changes in cost but are the result of the deliberate pricing policies of major fuel retailers.
Australian consumers pay a price for petrol that is, on average, reflective of the relevant international benchmark prices. Although crude oil prices influence retail petrol prices, it is actually the international refined price of petrol that determines final pump prices.
The ACCC has noted its concern at the continuing quotation of the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price. Consumers may see a change in the price of ‘oil’ quoted in the media and expect it to be reflected in the retail price. However, the quoted price is often WTI which is not relevant to Australia and references to it can provide an inaccurate picture to the public. The ACCC considers that the more heavily traded Brent or Tapis benchmarks better reflect the price that Australian refiners pay for crude oil.
The Productivity Commission has released its report into the Economic Structure and Performance of the Australian Retail Industry.
POAAL made a submission to this inquiry, and appeared before the Productivity Commission hearing in Melbourne.
A number of POAAL’s points have been picked up in the Productivity Commission’s final report.
One of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations is that the Government establish a taskforce to investigate new approaches to the processing of low value imported parcels, particularly those in the international mail stream, and that the taskforce recommend a new process to deliver significant improvements and efficiencies in handling without creating delivery delays or other compliance difficulties for importers and consumers.
Any such changes could have a direct impact on Licensed Post Offices. POAAL will seek to have input into this taskforce so that the business needs of Licensees are taken into consideration.
The full report can be downloaded from the Productivity Commission website.
Stock supply was top of the agenda at the POAAL meeting held in Adelaide on 29 November.
Kym Altmann from Australia Post with POAAL's Chris Campbell
The meeting kicked off with a lively discussion of the supply of stock and consumables to LPOs. Australia Post’s Warren Jack was given plenty of feedback from Licensees on the topic.
POAAL Director Chris Campbell updated Licensees on recent State-level meetings between POAAL and Australia Post.
POAAL’s WA Branch held a Licensee meeting in Perth on Sunday 27 November. It was a dynamic meeting, with spirited discussion on topics including CEPOS, carded parcels, stock and consumables supply, and certain mail payments.
Some of the Licensees at POAAL's meeting in Perth, WA, including State Chairman John Fisher (far right)
During our discussions, we found that many Licensees who received the base rate of Outward Mail Processing Fee (OMPF) of 1.5%/1.65% were doing more work than required when processing outward mail at their LPO.
It is important that Licensees read the Licensed Post Office Arrangements Payment Scheme to understand what work is required for the OMPF.
Licensees should check LiPOMS to see what level of OMPF is being paid, and then consider what work is being done in preparing the outward mail each day.
If any Licensee does not have a copy of the LPO Arrangements Payment Scheme, request a copy from Australia Post immediately. A pro forma letter for this purpose can be downloaded from the POAAL website.
Australia Post today launched its “Post office of the future” at the Brisbane GPO, with further flagship stores to be set up in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Launceston.
Some long-serving Licensees may remember that the Brisbane GPO was the site of the first “Retail Post” trial post office in 1989. Many of the lessons learned in the early years of the operation of the Retail Post trial were implemented in LPOs across Australia.
The new “super store” concept will allow Australia Post to trial new store layouts, new services and new products. Already Australia Post has announced that a branch of Harvey World Travel will operate from within the Brisbane GPO.
Another feature of the revamped Brisbane GPO will be the parcel collection lockers. These parcel collection lockers will allow customers to collect parcels 24 hours a day. Customers who register for this service will have the option of having parcels delivered to a parcel locker. Parcel lockers are also being trialed in Sydney and St Kilda.
Parcel collection lockers are part of a wider Australia Post strategy to better serve customers who order goods online for delivery through Australia Post. Parcel volumes are likely to continue to increase, meaning that Australia Post will need to continue to improve parcel delivery services to satisfy customers’ needs and to improve the efficiency of its parcel delivery network.
Australia Post has also announced today that 300 corporate post offices will open extended hours during December. Many LPOs already open extended hours, including Saturdays. Some LPOs are open 7 days a week.
LPOs will continue to play an important part in parcel delivery. With 3000 LPOs spread across Australia, customers will always be able to find a Licensed Post Office nearby.
Businesses that provide written warranties need to be aware of an important change to the law.
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said the warranties against defects change will come into effect on 1 January 2012 as part of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
“From that date, when suppliers or manufacturers provide a written warranty to consumers about what they will do if something goes wrong with a good or service, they must comply with the ‘warranties against defects’ provisions under the ACL,” Mr Sims said.
“A warranty against defects is a commitment that a business will repair or replace defective goods, resupply the item, fix a problem with services, or provide compensation to the consumer if the goods or services are defective.
“It must include clear and simple information on things such as the repairer’s and the consumer’s obligations, the warranty period, how the consumer can make a claim and who is responsible for expenses associated with a claim.
“It must also include mandatory text to ensure the consumer is aware that the warranty against defects operates in addition to their rights under the ACL. Specific wording is on the ACCC website.”
State and territory consumer affairs agencies will regulate / monitor compliance with the new requirement.
A number of businesses have advised those regulators that due to the long lead times associated with many consumer products, and the nature of the packaging of those products, there will be some goods in the supply chain that will not meet the 1 January 2012 warranty requirement.
Regulators recognise that transitional difficulties may arise in the application of the new provisions. Accordingly, they will consider extending the warranty requirement to September 2012 where suppliers can show:
- there are serious practical difficulties in updating warranty documents (for example, the warranty is in a tamper-proof package); and
- the supplier has taken all reasonable steps to otherwise convey the mandatory text and information required by the ACL to consumers (such as placing a compliant sticker on the outside packaging).
Note that this will apply to stock packaged before 1 November 2011.
In these circumstances the ACL regulators are unlikely to take enforcement action.
Mr Sims said it is critical that businesses are aware of the change regarding warranties against defects so they avoid possible financial penalties.
For further information on these changes and the broader obligations under the ACL, visit www.accc.gov.au.
Article provided by the ACCC.
Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric powered light commercial vehicle
It has been announced that La Poste, the French postal service, will order 10,000 electric Kangoo vans from Renault.
The Kangoo Z.E. is the electric version of Renault’s light commercial vehicle. It has a range of up to 170km (depending on driving conditions) and can carry the same load as the internal combustion-engined version.
According to Renault, the van costs an average of €1.50 to recharge, while maintenance costs are comparable to an equivalent internal combustion-engined vehicle.
There is no word on when the vehicle will be launched in Australia.
The Federal Government has announced that it will make changes to the ACCC’s role in prices surveillance of letters. Under the changes, the ACCC will oversee the pricing of the basic postage rate, but will cease to oversee pricing of letter products such as bulk mail.
In the middle of 2011, the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy sought public comments on the possible changes to ACCC prices surveillance arrangements. POAAL made a submission to the Department.
Following the consultation period, the Government decided that the net benefit of removing prices surveillance would be greater than the net benefit of retaining it.
The declaration can be viewed online at the ComLaw website.
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