Deutsche Post DHL and Teach First Deutschland have decided to work together for three more years. Deutsche Post DHL has been the main sponsor of the program since 2009 and over the next three years will continue to offer its support to the new two-year teachers - also called "Fellows" - in a variety of ways: pedagogical training initiatives, a dedicated "Fellows Day", a mentoring program and career counseling and assistance after the two years of teaching. Students at schools where Fellows teach will continue to enjoy the opportunity to go to Camp4us, a summer camp financed by Deutsche Post DHL, where they will work on exciting projects and use a multi-disciplinary approach to grapple with their own future and upcoming career planning.

In the first two school years, some 60 Fellows provided assistance to schools in socially disadvantaged parts of the city. And the program has not slowed down this year either, with some 60 university graduates lending reinforcement to schools in North Rhine Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Hamburg and Thüringen. Another 18 will join the ranks in North Rhine Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg at the start of second half of the school year in February, bringing the total to almost eighty. The additional teachers will be able to join the program thanks to a positive resolution of the German state parliament of North Rhine Westphalia and the state government as well as the support of the federal program "Social City Education, Economy Work in the Neighborhood" (BIWAQ) in Mannheim, Germany.

"Education is the key to shaping the future of individuals and society. It is only logical for Deutsche Post DHL to promote the education of young people by supporting such initiatives as Teach First Deutschland and the education of young people - especially those people whose start in life may have been less fortunate. Therefore I am very pleased that we are continuing our partnership with Teach First Deutschland for three more years," said Rainer Wend, Head of Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Deutsche Post DHL.

Better educational opportunities for children and youth
Ulf Matysiak, head of Teach First Deutschland, also sees the extension of the partnership as positive: "As the largest main sponsor and a reliable partner, Deutsche Post DHL not only offers financial support to our charitable organization but also their own energetic and personal dedication."

Teach First Deutschland creates better educational opportunities for children and youth who have experienced a disadvantaged start in life. The non-profit educational initiative recruits outstanding university graduates - called Fellows - to work as full-time teachers for two years at schools in socially deprived areas. Fellows nurture students individually. They assist in the classroom by leading diverse-sized groups of students, working one-on-one with them, or providing additional afterschool programs.

Once they have completed the two years, the Fellows set out on a variety of career paths. Shaped by their experience in the schools, they then continue to function as "education ambassadors" to promote better opportunities for disadvantaged youth. This school year, some 80 Fellows are lending a hand in schools in North Rhine Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Hamburg and Thüringen.

As the leading international logistics group and one of the world's largest employers, Deutsche Post DHL has worked for many years now around the world to promote better educational opportunities for children and youth. Education, together with climate protection (GoGreen) and disaster management (GoHelp), is just one of the three main focal points of the company's commitment to social responsibility, pursued under the motto "Living Responsibility".

Company to file appeal against today's state aid ruling of the European Commission
Deutsche Post CEO Appel: "The EU decision has no basis in fact"

Deutsche Post DHL will file an appeal with the European Court of Justice against the state aid ruling made today by the European Commission and has aligned this decision with the German federal government. In 2007 the European Commission initiated a formal investigation against the Federal Republic of Germany concerning alleged unlawful state aid to Deutsche Post AG. During the investigation, the Commission addressed matters they had examined earlier during similar state aid proceedings from the year 2002 and that had ended in a defeat for the Commission in September 2010 as a result of a company appeal in the ultimate legal instance.

"The EU Commission's ruling on a repayment is incomprehensible and has no basis in fact," said Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL. "It stands in clear contradiction to an earlier EU decision and the outcomes of similar proceedings. If you examine the state aid rulings on other European postal service providers, it becomes quite clear that here the Commission has applied double standards. We are absolutely confident that the decision will have no validity in court and are proceeding on the assumption that the amount plus interest will be repaid."

The current proceedings focused on state grants like financial equalization and the funding of civil servant pensions at Deutsche Post. In its decision today, the Commission found no case of incompatible state aid with respect to financial equalization.

When the Commission examined the funding of civil servant pensions, it did however reach the conclusion that the pension expenses of Deutsche Post were in part incorrectly assessed in the case of price approvals by the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) and thus in some cases involved incompatible state aid. The EU Commission, according to its current ruling, demands that Deutsche Post repay this state aid to the Federal Republic of Germany in the amount of 500 million to one billion euros. Given information already provided, the company assumes the amount will be at the lower end of the range. Moreover, no other state aid proceedings involving the Group are pending at the European Commission.

Since it is the company's opinion that today's state aid ruling cannot withstand legal review, the payment that is to be made in the next few months will be recorded only in the balance sheet for 2012. As a consequence, company earnings both in the past fiscal year and in the years to come as well as the basis of the dividend that is yet to be proposed for fiscal year 2011 remain unaffected by the decision. The liquidity of the Group will be temporarily affected by the payment, but will continue to remain solid.

At the same time the company has assessed its operational performance in the past fiscal year as successful, six weeks before the presentation of the 2011 figures. "I am very satisfied with our performance in the past year, a year in which we met the guidance that was repeatedly revised upwards," said Frank Appel. "We have shown impressively that we are excellently positioned and that we have every reason to continue to look optimistically into the future."

Panalpina announced the launch of six new direct Less than Container Load (LCL) services through its in-house carrier Pantainer Express Line. The new guaranteed weekly services all run out of Shanghai (China), separately connecting to Keelung (Taiwan), Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore and Jakarta (Indonesia). The new services meet increased customer demand for reliable LCL solutions on the Intra Asia trade.

The six new guaranteed weekly services have been launched to meet increased customer demand especially in the consumer, high-tech and telecom industry and to strengthen Panalpina’s position as one of the leading LCL service providers on the Intra Asia trade. The services to Bangkok and Singapore have already existed but have now been upgraded to two and three sailings respectively per week.

Reliable and cost worthy option on the Intra Asia trade
Panalpina’s customers in Asia can utilize these services operated by the in-house carrier Pantainer Express Line to further optimize their supply chains for smaller orders. The LCL solutions represent a reliable and cost worthy option to air freight or Full Container Loads (FCL) on the Intra Asia trade. With short lead times and improved frequencies customers will now benefit from ocean freight economies of scale regardless of their order volumes.

The new LCL services are part of Panalpina’s long term strategy to grow business on key Asia trade lanes, especially on the Far East Westbound, Transpacific Eastbound, Intra Asia, Asia to Latin America and Asia to Middle East trade. "Intra Asia plays a pivotal role in our global LCL network and in the Group’s growth strategy and we are committed to delivering new solutions that meet our customers supply chain needs,” commented Frank Hercksen, Global Head of Ocean Freight at Panalpina.

Increased flexibility, reliability and improved supply chain
Less than Container Load or LCL offers the possibility to consolidate multiple consignments from several customers in one Full Container Load (FCL). The Panalpina LCL product consists of numerous direct LCL services in combination with its global strategic LCL hub network. Panalpina provides customers seamless door-to-door services with the highest level of schedule integrity increasing the flexibility and reliability within the end-to-end supply chain.

Panalpina continues to expand and insource its Logistics offering. The provider of supply chain solutions has opened a new state-of-the-art logistics center on the outskirts of Moscow. It offers 6,000 m2 of storage area. 2,500 m2 are dedicated to cross-docking activities and close to 1,500 m2 to Value-Added Logistics Services (VAS). The new logistics center with a 360 degree service offering will improve efficient and secure cargo flow into Russia for Panalpina’s customers.

Russia plays an important role in Panalpina’s global strategy to extend its VAS capabilities throughout the world. The new logistics center is located in between main highways and close to Moscow’s orbital highway A-107. The center of Moscow is only 24 kilometers away. “Our logistics center is right on the main inbound route from Europe to Moscow,” said Stefan Karlen, Area Manager Black and Caspian Sea at Panalpina. “We can now offer our customers very attractive end-to-end supply chain solutions Russia inbound. This involves international transportation by all modes, customs brokerage, local transportation, cross-docking, storage and Value-Added Logistics Services and distribution in the entire Russian Federation.” The three major airports are within a 70 kilometer radius of the logistics center.

Addressing a specific customer need: tightened security
Panalpina has paid special attention to the security set-up of the facility. The logistics center lies within the fenced Krekshino logistics park with controlled entry and exit gates. A full-fledged electronic access and alarm system prevents unauthorized access. Over 100 high-resolution CCTV cameras monitor the whole logistics center. Security personnel are on-site 24/7. The security team and video monitoring are under direct Panalpina control. “Security is one of our customers’ top concerns when doing business in Russia. We have over five years’ experience with high-value cargo and end-to-end solutions. Not only can we offer a highly secured logistics center, we can even provide armed security convoys for the distribution of high-value cargo within Russia,” said Cyrill Gaechter, Area Head of Marketing and Sales at Panalpina.

Cross-docking and Value-Added Logistics Services
Given the set-up of the logistics center, it is particularly suited for customers in high-tech, automotive, high-end fashion and telecom but also for customers in healthcare, consumer and retail and manufacturing that are looking for high quality security solutions and value-added services. The logistics center offers almost 8,000 pallet locations in the 6,000 m2 storage area. It offers full cross-docking functionality. The cross-docking area covers 2,500 m2. There are 15 inbound and outbound docks. The mezzanine offers an additional 1,500 m2 for spare parts management and reverse logistics or VAS such as “Fulfillment”, “Postponement”, “Re-Packing” or “Kitting”. Panalpina expects the logistics center to be fully certified for the highest security standard (TAPA “A”) by the end of 2012. By that time the company also expects certifications for occupational health and safety (OHSAS 18001) and environment (ISO 14001).

The Maersk Group's strategy to target growth markets aligns well with a recent UN report that found emerging economies now account for almost 30% of global GDP and 40% of trade.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's 2011 Review of Maritime Transport report found that developing countries' GDP share in overall global economic output had reached 28% in 2010, up from 17% in 1980, and that their slice of world trade was 40%, up 30% on 2008.

In 2012 the Maersk Group will execute plans laid out in 2011 by prioritising specific investments in promising markets, with Executive Board Members scheduled to visit their focus countries to build relations with officials and key partners and customers.

"Hopefully by meeting relevant stakeholders, we can help open doors the local organisations might struggle to get through," says Maersk Line CEO and member of the Executive Board Søren Skou, a priority sponsor for Vietnam and Indonesia.

Also high on the Group's agenda is sharing knowledge across growth countries to ensure better processes in order to build up business at the local level.

"Many of the challenges in setting up operations in growth markets are similar from one country to the next, and it is important that we share best practices like, for example, cases where we have created Group synergies across business units," Head of Group Strategy Søren Karas says.

APM Terminals is one business that will share knowledge to improve operations across the 27 facilities it owns or controls (see the next edition of Maersk Post on February 6) and invest "aggressively" to keep up with the economic shift identified by the UNCTAD report.

"Aggressive infrastructure investment is required right now to keep up with the pace of that projected growth, "APM Terminals CEO Kim Fejfer said after a year in which he oversaw about USD 3 billion in new infrastructure development and facility expansion.

"What these figures and trends tell us, very emphatically, is that the future of the shipping industry is heavily weighted toward developing markets in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and to a certain extent Central Europe "

UNCTAD found improved efficiency and reduced costs of modern port operations had helped increase global trade and overall economic output.

About half of APM Terminals' current container volume is in facilities in economically emerging areas.

"Our capabilities within port development and operation can bring efficient port capacity to new markets benefiting customers, government authorities and communities" added Fejfer.

CEVA Logistics has signed a two year agreement with Bormioli Rocco Group, an Italian market leader in plastic and glass products.

CEVA will be responsible for the post-production logistics activities for Bormioli products, as well as handling and loading the products into outgoing vehicles at the customer’s warehouse in Trezzano sul Naviglio, near Milan, which has a surface area of more than 50,000 sq m. The logistics operator will also manage the transportation of the products to CEVA’s shared user logistics hub strategically located in San Pietro Mosezzo, near Novara. Here, CEVA will manage the unloading, discharge, storage, picking and delivery to Bormioli’s final customers. The agreement includes scope for the gradual expansion of the partnership with Bormioli: CEVA will initially handle 7,000 pallets per year, reaching up to 70,000 pallets by the end of the contract. Over the two years, the number of shuttles used between the customer’s warehouse and CEVA’s hub will gradually increase to about eight a day. All these operations will take place in a dedicated area of 4,000 sq m that will eventually grow to 17,000 sq m as activities increase.

This important collaboration represents a further consolidation of the expertise gained by CEVA in the Industrial sector thanks to major partnerships sealed with prestigious companies in this segment, especially in the management of in-house activities. Thanks to CEVA’s Operations Excellence approach, which focuses on continual performance improvements, CEVA is able to support customers operating in this market through efficient, fast and customized solutions, meeting their needs in an optimal way.

Gregorio Bigliardi, Supply Chain and Procurement Director of Bormioli Rocco Group, said: “We chose to partner with CEVA because we believe we gain strategic benefit for our business by entrusting a single operator capable of managing our different logistics activities through an integrated and comprehensive approach. CEVA will provide simplified process management and guarantee full visibility and control over the entire supply chain. By leveraging our experience and strong tradition in designing high quality, innovative products, we can face market challenges with enthusiasm and we believe that our collaboration with CEVA will allow us to gain even more flexibility, agility and rapidity in responding to market changes.”

Gioachino Figlia, Divisional Director, CEVA in Italy, commented: “We are proud of being a strategic partner for Bormioli and to support them in their business development strategies through our solid supply chain experience in this sector and our innovative, cutting-edge solutions. Thanks to the professionalism and competences of our teams, we are able to efficiently integrate ourselves with the customer’s internal personnel, closely collaborating for the improvement of their supply chain management. This new agreement represents the basis for growth, not only in Italy where a gradual increase of volumes is already planned, but also globally, where our established network will support the customer in expanding its presence in international markets.”

Descartes Systems Group acquired GeoMicro, Inc., a leading California-based provider of advanced geographic information systems (GIS) and commercial turn-by-turn navigation.

GeoMicro's cutting-edge GIS platform enables advanced routing, navigation, field service, and spatial data business intelligence solutions. It supports a full range of advanced GIS services, including high performance map display, geo-location, commercial vehicle route calculation, spatial data querying, and turn-by-turn navigation suitable for commercial and hazardous material route use. GeoMicro's solutions help customers to precisely locate assets and resources in motion, reduce the cost and time of deliveries, and increase driver safety & compliance.

"Geographic location is fundamental to logistics and a key element of many business decisions," said Edward Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer at Descartes. "By adding GeoMicro's technology and services to our Logistics Technology Platform, our customers can access the advanced geographical information processing that is critical to efficient logistics operations."

Historically, GIS solutions have been used with mobile resource management applications, such as Descartes' Routing, Mobile, and Telematics suite, to identify commercial road restrictions and hazardous material approved routes, and to provide commercial turn-by-turn navigation. By combining GeoMicro's technology with Descartes' Logistics Technology Platform, Descartes customers can leverage GIS technologies in new ways on Descartes' cloud-based Global Logistics Network, such as to verify addresses or track shipments, inventory, conveyance units and resources.

"Logistics-intensive businesses face complicated challenges that require GIS functions to be deeply embedded within the location-based services their preferred technology partners provide," said Arthur Mesher, Descartes' Chairman and CEO. "Working closely with customers, we recognized the need to extend our cloud-based Logistics Technology Platform's GIS capabilities to provide solutions that not only meet today's geographic information needs, but also scale to address future technology opportunities such as crowd-sourced location traffic and road network services."

BP and Panalpina will join hands to design a best-in-class oil and gas freight forwarding supply chain. The two companies have signed a strategic services master agreement that will tap into Panalpina’s vast Oil and Gas and Panprojects experience. The scope of the multi-year agreement comprises transportation services for air, ocean, road and rail, industrial projects, freight management and other logistics services connected with the exploration and production of oil and gas.

“The agreement with BP is great news for Panalpina. We’ve gone through tough times in Oil and Gas in the past years,” said Panalpina CEO Monika Ribar. “Today we are stronger than ever before in that area of expertise. We are best-in-class when it comes to compliance and standards for Health, Safety, Security and Environment. And more importantly, we have the experience, the capability and the capacity to execute and deliver for our Oil and Gas customers.”

Upstream business under one single contract
The agreement unites Operations and Freight Management Services for upstream capital projects under a single contract. The upstream sector is known as the exploration and production (E&P) sector. It involves the searching for potential underground or underwater oil and gas fields, drilling of exploratory wells, and subsequently operating the wells that recover and bring the crude oil or raw natural gas to the surface.

Panalpina’s Oil and Gas and Panprojects to work hand-in-hand
“Panalpina has proven its commitment to the oil and gas industry for more than four decades, traditionally with a focus on servicing the highly demanding upstream part of the business,” said Frank Bichowski, Global Head of Industry Vertical Oil and Gas at Panalpina. “Together with BP we can take the oil and gas supply chain to the next level.” To drive innovation, Panalpina’s oil and gas specialists will work hand-in-hand with the in-house specialists for industrial projects.

The industrial projects division of the Panalpina Group, Panprojects, will mostly handle upstream business under this agreement. Some 300 specialists around the world provide integrated logistics turnkey project forwarding and management services on a global scale. “Our services are especially suited for companies like BP,” said Christopher Kent, Global Head of Panprojects. “BP will benefit from our industry-specific expertise that we have gained from the completion of numerous large and small projects in all industry segments worldwide over the past two decades.”

A major milestone in reaching goals for 2014
It took one and a half years from the first talks through the RFI (Request for Information) and tender process to the signing of the contract. “I am very proud of our organization and our dedicated people across the globe that made this possible. The agreement is of paramount importance for Panalpina and a major milestone in reaching our goals for 2014,” said CEO Monika Ribar.