UPS MAIL INNOVATIONS
- Thread starter LEE E
- Start date
UPS Mail Innovations
UPS Mail Innovations enables customers to more effectively and efficiently move their mail. Through its Expedited Mail Services, UPS Mail Innovations handles mail communications including flats, parcels less than one pound, bound printed matter and media mail by providing upstream mail processes (sorting, weighing and applying postage) and then distributing them to the U.S. Postal Service for final delivery. UPS Mail Innovations helps companies to optimize operational efficiencies and control costs in the processing and distribution of mail communications.
Doesn't look like something in which our segment of the biz would be involved. I'd guess UPS trucks would pickup from their regular customers and forward to the post office. See www.ups.com
UPS Mail Innovations enables customers to more effectively and efficiently move their mail. Through its Expedited Mail Services, UPS Mail Innovations handles mail communications including flats, parcels less than one pound, bound printed matter and media mail by providing upstream mail processes (sorting, weighing and applying postage) and then distributing them to the U.S. Postal Service for final delivery. UPS Mail Innovations helps companies to optimize operational efficiencies and control costs in the processing and distribution of mail communications.
Doesn't look like something in which our segment of the biz would be involved. I'd guess UPS trucks would pickup from their regular customers and forward to the post office. See www.ups.com
>FedEx bought a Mail Innovations company based in Wisconsin
>this year too.
FedEx is on a roll for sure! Here's a link to a recent USA Today story that tells all.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2004-10-08-fedex_x.htm
>this year too.
FedEx is on a roll for sure! Here's a link to a recent USA Today story that tells all.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2004-10-08-fedex_x.htm
I forgot to mention that FedEx CC drivers now get 30% discounts at Kinko's. Kinkos is a recent FedEx acquisition, now named FedEx Kinko's.
We try to use Kinko's...uh, excuse me....that's FedEx Kinko's, to do our monthly paperwork. It's a kick to see the Kinko's employees eyes open wide when we pull in front of the store with our FedEx D-unit, which is often as big as the store front itself.
More seriously, it's an even greater kick to see FedEx Custom Critical ads on the walls there and in the literature racks. That advertising exposes our expediting services to thousands of business people that enter Kinko's and probably would have never heard of FedEx CC otherwise.
That's part of the long-term FedEx magic. FedEx understands that these young business people that are running errands for the big wigs now, will themselves be business big wigs later on. Some of them will be in charge of shipping and receiving. It's gratifying to see Kinko's promoting FedEx CC as they are now doing. It's also exciting to read of FedEx's China efforts, that have been underway for many years, and are now paying off huge.
With China emerging as the world's largest manufacturing center and FedEx well positioned to stream China freight in all directions, and through all companies in the FedEx portfolio, FedEx CC drivers will likely see some of that freight on their trucks in the years ahead. While FedEx CC is so small a component of FedEx Corporation that it doesn't even rate a line of its own on the FedEx financial statement, Custom Critical is a vital and growing part of the big picture.
I used to worry that FedEx might decide expediting is not worth the bother and spin off that little nuciance unit that's not headquarted in Memphis. But these days, the more I read, the more excited I get about the role Custom Critical plays in the FedEx family.
Now, if anyone can say when UPS will roll out expediting trucks of their own, I'd be all ears!
We try to use Kinko's...uh, excuse me....that's FedEx Kinko's, to do our monthly paperwork. It's a kick to see the Kinko's employees eyes open wide when we pull in front of the store with our FedEx D-unit, which is often as big as the store front itself.
More seriously, it's an even greater kick to see FedEx Custom Critical ads on the walls there and in the literature racks. That advertising exposes our expediting services to thousands of business people that enter Kinko's and probably would have never heard of FedEx CC otherwise.
That's part of the long-term FedEx magic. FedEx understands that these young business people that are running errands for the big wigs now, will themselves be business big wigs later on. Some of them will be in charge of shipping and receiving. It's gratifying to see Kinko's promoting FedEx CC as they are now doing. It's also exciting to read of FedEx's China efforts, that have been underway for many years, and are now paying off huge.
With China emerging as the world's largest manufacturing center and FedEx well positioned to stream China freight in all directions, and through all companies in the FedEx portfolio, FedEx CC drivers will likely see some of that freight on their trucks in the years ahead. While FedEx CC is so small a component of FedEx Corporation that it doesn't even rate a line of its own on the FedEx financial statement, Custom Critical is a vital and growing part of the big picture.
I used to worry that FedEx might decide expediting is not worth the bother and spin off that little nuciance unit that's not headquarted in Memphis. But these days, the more I read, the more excited I get about the role Custom Critical plays in the FedEx family.
Now, if anyone can say when UPS will roll out expediting trucks of their own, I'd be all ears!
BigRed32771
Expert Expediter
As I've been watching ads on TV for DHL as they roll out their package service to compete against FedEx and UPS, I've wondered if they are going to do expedite also. However, since the wife and I have just recently received our Letter of Intent from FECC White Glove, I'm sure we'll stay there for awhile. Looking foward to making the transition next month from planning to do expediting to actually doing expediting. Now if the financing on the truck will just come through, dadgummit...
BigRed,
Glad to hear you are jumping in. As a newbie yourself I'm sure you'll understand how interesting it is for other expediter wannabees and newbies to hear from new folks about their first few days and weeks in the trade. I hope you share lots about your experiences.
Glad to hear you are jumping in. As a newbie yourself I'm sure you'll understand how interesting it is for other expediter wannabees and newbies to hear from new folks about their first few days and weeks in the trade. I hope you share lots about your experiences.
Just curious - it sounds like you're new to expediting, AND have just been accepted into White Glove. In the past, they have required about 6 months service in their "surface expedite" fleet before one could apply to White Glove. Has that changed? If so, it could be important to a bunch of newbies. Thanks.
BigRed32771
Expert Expediter
Well, I kept hearing from a lot of people that White Glove was the best place to be for making good money, but at least 6 months experience etc was needed. I splurged the cost of a plane ticket to go from Orlando to Detroit in August to visit the Expediters Expo, and had a chance to talk to a lot of people, including the FedEx recruiters. I think it was about that time that I began picking up the vibe that the previous experience requirement wasn't as carved in stone as everyone made it sound. I called and talked to a recruiter and found that they were waiving that on a case by case basis. What I had to do was apply for consideration, and based on my letter outlining what experience we do have (customer service, any experience with driving, etc), they would evaluate us as potential WG drivers. They also normally do a "meet and greet" with anyone that they are considering for taking in directly to WG. Based on our interviews, etc., the recruiter said that they'd be happy to have us on their team, and we're looking forward to going to orientation (currently scheduled for Jan 19th).
Getting prior approval for WG was important to us, as I had discovered that selecting a truck configuration is a chicken and egg situation. To maximize revenue with WG, we need a temperature controlled truck. Generally, though, a reefer doesn't generate enough extra revenue to pay for itself over a dry box unless you're leased on with someone who does enough of that kind of business to keep you using it--someone like FECC WG, for example. So if I didn't get into WG, then I only wanted to spend money on a dry box, but if I could get into the higher revenue division I needed the reefer unit. You can see the dilema. I pushed hard, made a good pitch, and they said yes. Now I'm waiting on a new financing program for newbies like us signing on with FedEx so we can get final approval of financing for our truck. Fyda Freightliner in Columbus OH is working with a bank on putting it together, and it's supposed to be wrapping up this week (hmmm, it's already Thursday and I haven't heard anything...more nail biting I guess). The truck will be a stretched Century Class (2001) w/ factory sleeper and a brand new reefer box with all the goodies that WG requires for data monitoring and recording, etc. Fyda is putting these together on a regular basis, and works closely with FedEx to make it happen.
So that's how I got this far so far.
Doug
Getting prior approval for WG was important to us, as I had discovered that selecting a truck configuration is a chicken and egg situation. To maximize revenue with WG, we need a temperature controlled truck. Generally, though, a reefer doesn't generate enough extra revenue to pay for itself over a dry box unless you're leased on with someone who does enough of that kind of business to keep you using it--someone like FECC WG, for example. So if I didn't get into WG, then I only wanted to spend money on a dry box, but if I could get into the higher revenue division I needed the reefer unit. You can see the dilema. I pushed hard, made a good pitch, and they said yes. Now I'm waiting on a new financing program for newbies like us signing on with FedEx so we can get final approval of financing for our truck. Fyda Freightliner in Columbus OH is working with a bank on putting it together, and it's supposed to be wrapping up this week (hmmm, it's already Thursday and I haven't heard anything...more nail biting I guess). The truck will be a stretched Century Class (2001) w/ factory sleeper and a brand new reefer box with all the goodies that WG requires for data monitoring and recording, etc. Fyda is putting these together on a regular basis, and works closely with FedEx to make it happen.
So that's how I got this far so far.
Doug
Thanks VERY much for that information. I was pretty sure that if they needed trucks badly enough, they'd bend the rules. That will open up new opportunities for newcomers, that's for sure. Best wishes for a great experience there! We'll be there in the spring - after the ice+snow party. 
>Just curious - it sounds like you're new to expediting, AND
>have just been accepted into White Glove. In the past, they
>have required about 6 months service in their "surface
>expedite" fleet before one could apply to White Glove. Has
>that changed? If so, it could be important to a bunch of
>newbies. Thanks.
Yes, Diane and I are relatively new to expediting (15 months on the road)and are White Glove qualified. We began with no truck driving experience whatsoever and began as White Glove drivers that very same day. How is that possible? Our experience is somewhat similar to that shared by BigRed32771 in this thread, only we began in a White Glove-equipped truck provided by a fleet owner.
I'm glad you asked your question, SpecialK. While the six-month experience requirement is true, it is not the whole truth about how a highly-professional team can become White Glove qualified. The FedEx Custom Critical Contractor Helper manual (at least the March 2003 version we have) lists six White Glove recruiting criteria in priority order.
No one bent the rules to bring us into White Glove. Let me say that again. No one bent the rules to bring us into White Glove.
We overcame the six-month experience item by taking the road test also allowed by the rules. We further qualified under the published recruiting criteria and priority order that existed at the time.
It is not my place or desire to speak on behalf of FedEx Custom Critical. The rules may well have changed since Diane and I began. If you have questions about the White Glove recruiting criteria and priority order, it is best to contact a FedEx CC recruiter and get the info straight from the horse's mouth.
>have just been accepted into White Glove. In the past, they
>have required about 6 months service in their "surface
>expedite" fleet before one could apply to White Glove. Has
>that changed? If so, it could be important to a bunch of
>newbies. Thanks.
Yes, Diane and I are relatively new to expediting (15 months on the road)and are White Glove qualified. We began with no truck driving experience whatsoever and began as White Glove drivers that very same day. How is that possible? Our experience is somewhat similar to that shared by BigRed32771 in this thread, only we began in a White Glove-equipped truck provided by a fleet owner.
I'm glad you asked your question, SpecialK. While the six-month experience requirement is true, it is not the whole truth about how a highly-professional team can become White Glove qualified. The FedEx Custom Critical Contractor Helper manual (at least the March 2003 version we have) lists six White Glove recruiting criteria in priority order.
No one bent the rules to bring us into White Glove. Let me say that again. No one bent the rules to bring us into White Glove.
We overcame the six-month experience item by taking the road test also allowed by the rules. We further qualified under the published recruiting criteria and priority order that existed at the time.
It is not my place or desire to speak on behalf of FedEx Custom Critical. The rules may well have changed since Diane and I began. If you have questions about the White Glove recruiting criteria and priority order, it is best to contact a FedEx CC recruiter and get the info straight from the horse's mouth.
At one time the requirement was for a minimum of 1 year's experience to become a White Glove Unit.They wanted no cargo claims, on time experience and no negative feedback from the Express dispatchers or customers. We were literally the Elite. But all things change,not always for the better. White Glove used to require that the drivers be the owners of the truck as they would be more responsible to a customers needs. Unfortunately that requirement has gone away, and some customers have gone away due to attitudes demonstrated by drivers that could care less about a customer. Blows my mind why W/Glove could accept irresponsible,inexperienced drivers to deal with outfits like IBM,Lockheed Martin etc.
