http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/index/ en melissa@nonprofitmailers.org Copyright 2008 2008-05-07T19:52:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_7_08_update1/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_7_08_update1/#When:18:52:00Z The U.S. Postal Service ended the second quarter with a net loss of $707 million, driven by a continued decline in mail volume resulting from the current national economic climate. These results were presented during the USPS Board of Governors’ May meeting. Postal Service Reports Second Quarter Loss; Economic Slowdown Cited National On-Time Performance Continues at Record Levels WASHINGTON, DC — Despite cost-cutting measures, the U.S. Postal Service ended the second quarter with a net loss of $707 million, driven by a continued decline in mail volume resulting from the current national economic climate. Meanwhile, the on-time delivery of First-Class Mail continued at record levels in the second quarter. The second quarter results were presented during today’s [May 7, 2008] meeting of the Postal Service Board of Governors. For the first six months of the fiscal year, the Postal Service has essentially broken even, reporting a net loss of $35 million on revenue of $39.3 billion. Mail volume for the quarter ending March 31 totaled 51.3 billion pieces, a 3.3 percent drop from the previous second quarter. First-Class Mail volume decreased by 3.1 percent and Standard Mail volume was down 3 percent. Year-to-date total mail volume is down by 3.1 percent compared to the same period last year. If the trend continues, this will be only the seventh year total mail volume has decreased in the last 50 years and could be the largest decline since 2002. Revenue was $18.9 billion in the second quarter, an increase of $584 million, or 3.2 percent, over the same period last year reflecting last year’s price adjustments, but well below expectations. Expenses in the second quarter totaled $19.6 billion, an increase of $52 million, or 0.3 percent, from the previous year. The slight increase was driven by an increase in transportation expenses, particularly fuel costs. “Weakness in the housing and credit markets, both of which are heavy users of mail, are leading the declines in mail volume,” Postmaster General John Potter told the Board. “While mail volume may rebound with the economy, it is clear we need to accelerate our efforts to seek new structural and process changes to remain economically viable and to further improve customer service.” One such change, made possible by the Postal Act of 2006, gives the Postal Service new pricing flexibility to better serve its customers. “Next week, for the first time ever, we’ll begin offering price incentives for Express Mail and Priority Mail, enabling us to better compete for package business,” Potter said. The Postal Service also continues to focus on reducing costs and increasing efficiency. For example, workhours have been reduced by more than 18 million in the first two quarters of the year compared to similar periods in 2007.  Second Quarter Service Scores In other action, Postal Service Consumer Advocate Delores Killette told the Board national on-time performance scores for the delivery of First-Class Mail continued at record levels in the second quarter. National overnight service was 96 percent on-time, a record high for four quarters in a row. Two-day service was 94 percent and three-day service was 92 percent on-time. All these scores are the highest ever achieved in quarter two.  First-Class Mail performance is measured independently by IBM Global Business Services. The process measures First-Class Mail from the time it is deposited into a collection box until it is delivered to a home or business. Other Action Also during today’s [May 7, 2008] meeting, the Board authorized funding to construct a 715,743 square-foot processing and distribution center on a previously acquired site in Richmond, VA. The Board also voted to have the Postal Service enter into a new ten-year lease for the New York International Service Center/John F. Kennedy Air Mail Center, located on the JFK Airport site. Release No. 08-049 (usps.com/news) News 2008-05-07T18:52:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_7_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_7_08_update/#When:13:57:00Z The USPS final rule changing the address standards for commercial flat-size mail has been published in today’s Federal Register. The new standards are effective March 29, 2009. Mailers are encouraged to review the new standards in preparation for the change. New Address Standards for Presorted, Carrier Route, and Automation Flats Today the Federal Register published the Postal Service’s final rule [PDF] | [HTML] changing the address standards for commercial flat-size mail, which was posted previously on the Postal Explorer website. The new standards are effective March 29, 2009, and require mailers to place delivery addresses in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services flats mailed at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. Additional standards relate to address characteristics and apply to all commercial flat-size pieces.  Mailers are encouraged to review the new standards in preparation for the change. Additional materials will be published shortly, including a new Quick Service Guide. News 2008-05-07T13:57:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_5_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/5_5_08_update/#When:19:31:00Z Inside Direct Mail features commentary from Alliance Executive Director Tony Conway in a May article that highlights the impact of postage rate increases and a slowing economy while giving nonprofits some advice for how to weather the storm. Inside Direct Mail again features commentary from Alliance Executive Director Tony Conway in a May article entitled, “When the Going Gets Tough...” The article highlights the impact of postage rate increases and a slowing economy while giving nonprofit organizations some advice for how to get through this difficult time. News 2008-05-05T19:31:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_30_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_30_08_update/#When:15:25:01Z The US Postal Service’s proposal for use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on automation mailings of letters and flats was published in today’s Federal Register. Mailers will have until May 30 to review and submit comments on this proposal. Proposed New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes Today the Federal Register published the US Postal Service proposal [PDF] | [HTML] for the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on automation mailings of letters and flats, which the USPS also published on its website (usps.com) on April 16. The proposal includes revised mailing standards.  Mailers are encouraged to review and comment by May 30 by writing to the Manager of Mailing Standards, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3436, Washington DC 20260-3436, or via e-mail to IMB&EDOC@usps.gov. News 2008-04-30T15:25:01-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_29_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_29_08_update/#When:18:33:00Z Inside Direct Mail published an article entitled, “Postal Penance.” This article features commentary by Alliance Executive Director Tony Conway and discusses the upcoming postage rate increases, and more.  Inside Direct Mail published an article in April 2008 entitled, “Postal Penance.” This article features commentary by Alliance Executive Director Tony Conway and briefly compares life under the new rate-cap system versus the old rate case system; discusses the proposed rate increases effective May 2008; and, presents the impact of Postal Service’s innovations, such as Intelligent Mail and the Flats Sequencing System. Please Click here to read the full article: Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 News 2008-04-29T18:33:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_21_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_21_08_update/#When:17:18:00Z In today’s Federal Register, the USPS has published a proposal to require concatenated UCC/EAN Code 128 barcodes with a unique Service Type Code on all Priority Mail Open and Distribute container labels. Please review and comment by May 5, 2008. Priority Mail Open and Distribute Service In today’s Federal Register [PDF] | [HTML], the USPS has published a proposal to require concatenated UCC/EAN Code 128 barcodes with a unique Service Type Code on all Priority Mail Open and Distribute container labels.  Priority Mail Open and Distribute provides an option for mailers to expedite commercial mailings to destination postal facilities using Priority Mail service. We encourage mailers to review and comment by May 5, 2008. News 2008-04-21T17:18:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_16_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_16_08_update/#When:15:23:01Z The USPS has released an advance copy of the Federal Register notice proposing the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMB) on automation mailings of letters and flats. The use of IMB is effective May 2009, concurrent with next year’s price changes.  Proposed New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes An advance copy of the Federal Register notice proposing the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on automation mailings of letters and flats is now available on Postal Explorer. This notice includes revised mailing standards for the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes effective May 2009 concurrent with the date of implementation for the Mailing Services price change.  The comment period will extend 30 days from the date the notice appears in the Federal Register. Mailers are encouraged to review and comment on this proposal as soon as possible. Mailers may submit additional comments any time within the comment period.  News 2008-04-16T15:23:01-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_10_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_10_08_update/#When:15:28:01Z The PRC has unanimously approved a rate increase sought by the U.S. Postal Service for competitive postal products. This increase will affect rates for Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and certain international mail offerings.  The Postal Regulatory Commission issued it’s review of price adjustments sought by the U.S. Postal Service for competitive postal products. The Commission has unanimously decided that the increases sought for competitive products were not unlawful. This authorizes the first price adjustments for this class of products using the ratemaking flexibility provided under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. Price adjustments sought by the Postal Service for its competitive products will affect rates for Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service and certain international mail offerings. The planned adjustments are scheduled to take effect on May 12, 2008. Please click here to view the PRC’s Press Release and Decision Summary. Please visit www.prc.gov for more details.  News 2008-04-10T15:28:01-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_9_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_9_08_update/#When:12:45:00Z The US Postal Service has posted advance copies of Federal Register notices for New Address Standards for Presorted, Carrier Route, and Automation Flats; and, for New Mailing Standards for International Shipping Services. New Address Standards for Presorted, Carrier Route, and Automation Flats An advance copy of the Federal Register notice changing the address standards for flat-size mail is now available on Postal Explorer. The new standards are effective on March 29, 2009, and require mailers to place the delivery address in the top half of all Periodicals, Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces mailed at automation, presorted, or carrier route prices. Additional formatting standards apply to all commercial flats. May 12 Pricing Change – New Mailing Standards for International Shipping Services On usps.com/prices, the USPS has posted an advance copy of the Federal Register notice supporting the May 12 mailing standards changes for international shipping services:  Express Mail International and Priority Mail International. The notice details the requirements to qualify for new commercial base and commercial volume pricing.  News 2008-04-09T12:45:00-05:00 http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_4_08_update/ http://www.nonprofitmailers.org/index.php/site/4_4_08_update/#When:19:49:00Z The USPS has posted advance copies of two Federal Register notices supporting May 12 mailing standards changes. These two notices detail requirements and standards for domestic and some international shipping services.  On usps.com/prices, the US Postal Service (USPS) has posted advance copies of two Federal Register notices supporting May 12 mailing standards changes. The first is for domestic Shipping Services — Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, and Parcel Return Service — and details the requirements to qualify for new commercial base and commercial volume pricing.  The second is for International Priority Airmail (IPA) service and International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) service. These changes reflect the new international shape-based standards. The new prices for IPA and ISAL follow the existing piece and pound pricing structure. In addition, we are adopting new country price groups for First-Class Mail International M-Bag — Direct Sacks to One Addressee service. These changes reflect the nine country price groups for First-Class Mail International. The USPS will post an advance copy of the Federal Register notice supporting mailing standards changes for international Shipping Services and details the requirements to qualify for new commercial base and commercial volume pricing as soon as it is available. News 2008-04-04T19:49:00-05:00