2008 Show Review

The third annual Courier and Parcel Logistics (CPL) exhibition and conference, held on 30 September, 1 and 2 October 2008 at the ExCeL London exhibition and conference centre, was hailed as an enormous success by visitors and exhibitors alike. Though still young, the show is already regarded as the leading event dedicated to the fast-growing global express and parcel delivery services sector. This year 4000 visitors from 85 countries visited CPL’s 100 exhibitors.

Here are just a handful of the highlights:

A large variety of new technologies and services were on show at Courier and Parcel Logistics Expo 2008.

Quietly Does It

Few people who visited CPL Expo 2008 will have missed the stand of Modec, manufacturer of purpose-built zero-emission commercial vehicles. Launched in March 2007, the British company used CPL Expo to showcase its wares – including two of its latest models – to a community that may still be unaware of its products. With its punning strapline, ‘Quietly Changing the World’, Modec is already in partnership with UPS and Tesco, and is keen to make its name in Europe. Roger Atkins is Modec’s sales director: “Whether it be with a large international business like UPS or with smaller courier and postal organisations, the application with an electrical vehicle for multiple-stop, urban delivery is an excellent fit.” The vehicles have a top speed of up to 50mph, a capacity of up to two tonnes in weight and a standard box size of 12m³ that can be adapted to meet to customer requirements. “We see the postal sector as very much a key target market,” concluded Atkins.

Next-Day Guarantee

Based out of London Heathrow, Norsk European Wholesale is a courier wholesaler offering capacity and space on aircraft and final deliveries to the trade. “Most importantly,” noted European development manager, Matt Gilmore, “we were the only stand [at the expo] that had its own bar…” Aside from its liquid delights, Norsk was promoting its core products. “Our flagship Express Service provides the greatest next-day coverage across Europe,” said Gilmore. “We deliver to a majority of cities by 10.30am and many others are morning as standard. Beyond that we provide standard delivery across all the major cities and value for money against the larger integrators.” With a direct link to over 50 countries nightly, Norsk European Wholesale is constantly evolving its agent network, with new and enhanced services being delivered to provide even greater same-day coverage.

Exciting Destinations

bmi, the second-largest airline at Heathrow, has undergone considerable expansion recently with its acquisition of British Mediterranean (BMED) from British Airways. “This takes us to 17 wonderful new destinations – from Tehran to Addis Ababa,” said global products manager, Darren Beamer. “As a result we are trying to raise our profile, hence our presence at CPL. It is surprising how many people think we still only fly UK domestic.” With bmi’s newly acquired destinations, the airline’s opportunities to move parcels and packages around the world have increased dramatically. “With the destinations we now have,” said Beamer, “we can link the likes of Amsterdam, Brussels or Hannover to some of our more exotic destinations.”

The POD Father

With a product as unique as it sounds unusual, Valley Technology, an IT services company based out of Edinburgh, turned a number of heads at CPL Expo 2008. The POD Father – or pay as you go Proof of Delivery (POD) service – is a mobile solution that tracks orders from dispatch to delivery. Alastair Broom is the company’s managing director: “We believe our product is unique, as it offers the pay-as-you-go model so there is no contract, no licence fees, no setup costs – plus you can download the software for free.” With the POD Father, the driver downloads a list of jobs to his hand-held device; once the delivery is made and confirmation received, the confirmation is sent to the server and is immediately available to view. “The fact that it can run on both commodity mobile phones as well as hand-helds is an excellent selling point,” concluded Broom. “There is no investment in equipment needed beforehand.”

Planning Ahead

Specialising in optimised fleet routing and dispatch, vehicle and pallet loading, workforce scheduling and network planning, ORTEC used CPL Expo as a platform to announce the release of its latest supply-chain advanced planning software. “This caused a great amount of interest from existing customers such as TNT and DHL, and others besides,” said UK director, Robert Skipworth. Another recent coup for ORTEC was the implementation of its vehicle routing and dispatch solution for route planning and scheduling at TNT Innight in the Netherlands. “This means ORTEC now supports TNT Innight’s tactical planning and vehicle routing processes,” said Skipworth.

Cooperation

The occasion of CPL Expo 2008 was one of pride for Hermes Logistics Group Germany and its sister company Parcelnet UK, as the two logistics heavyweights announced a joint engagement. Dr Fiona Lehmann is senior manager European marketing coordination for Hermes: “An increasing number of retailers are interested in shipping on a pan-European basis, UK and Germany being two key markets. What we are now able to offer to our B2C parcel clients is an integrated cross-border service between these two countries. Simplicity is the key to success for this single interface solution: one tracking number, one transparent and competitive pricing structure, one customer service number, one account manager, and one IT solution.” With only one point of contact, the customer is able to manage all its logistics through Hermes. “Our work with Parcelnet is growing closer and closer,” said Lehmann. “CPL is the first exhibition at which we had a joint stand to bring this information to market.”

Looking Beyond

BKP Infosystems Ltd, for the past 15 years a leader in providing electronic delivery solutions to courier enterprises in the Balkans and Cyprus, has grand ambitions to expand its business into the rest of Europe. “This is why we are here,” said general manager Vassilis Roumeliotis. “To become better known outside of our backyard.” BKP’s flagship system, Exantas – The Courier Software Engine – was the principal product on display. This comprehensive application suite uses the latest technologies for front-end/back-end, waybill preparation, real-time product tracking and e-mail notification on workflow activities. “It meets the needs of any courier company,” said Roumeliotis. “Those who use it can achieve a 30% increase in the number of jobs they can complete in a day, without adding any new people.”

Planning is already underway for Courier and Parcel Logistics Expo 2010, which will be held in Hannover, Germany on 29, 30 September and 1 October. Many companies have already reserved their places at what promises to be the most exciting show yet.

 

Reactions from CPL EXPO 2008 - Visitors

"As technical manager for international activities, it was a perfect opportunity for me to see new technology and keep good contact with all my suppliers."
Vincent Houot, technical manager, La Poste, France

"CPL is a great event to get together, because it is not that often everyone from the industry gathers like this. London was an excellent central European location."
Matthias Slob, operations manager, Seaborne Express Courier, Netherlands

"I found it extremely interesting. Many of the companies there are very large and well established and as a smaller organisation it was useful to meet with and learn from them."
Martin Mukasa, managing director, Cottage Companies, UK

"I found the event very informative. One of our priorities was to look for electric cars and bikes and we found a number of options available. We met with a number of prospective suppliers and as a result we will purchase from one of them."
Tauya Sithole, finance manager, Room Service Deliveries, UK

"The event was most certainly positive. You can make new business contacts and strengthen existing ones."
Michel van Beek, commercial director, Multi-Post Systems BV, Netherlands

"For me it was very interesting – so interesting that I couldn’t find the time to attend the conference! I will be remedying this next year by attending once again. With everyone there from the industry it makes the whole experience so convenient."
Sven Motscha, international business manager, GO! General Overnight, Germany

"The highlight of CPL Expo was the presentations of customers together with their integrators. The technology workgroups provided a good insight into state-of-the-art solutions. All in all, very well-organised and grouped presentations. As an integrator and technology provider, Siemens will definitely participate as presenter in these sessions next year in Hannover."
Uwe Neitzel, global account manager, Siemens, Germany

 

Reactions from CPL EXPO 2008 - Exhibitors

"It has been an excellent show. I am receiving so many emails and quotation requests from companies that visited our stand. It seems likely we will sign with a very big customer within a week thanks to CPL. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the event to others in the courier business. We have already signed up to exhibit at CPL 2009."
Paul Kil, international manager, Nacex, Spain

"We were interested in talking with international courier companies and freight forwarding companies and there was a good number of existing and potential clients for us. CPL certainly gets the thumbs up. We are looking into exhibiting in Hong Kong next year."
Nigel Moolenaar, general manager sales marketing and business development, Air Menzies International, UK

"We had very high-quality visitors: fleet directors, fleet managers, chairmen and managing directors, many from key companies we are looking to do business with. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely, yes."
Roger Atkins, sales director, Modec, UK

"We need integration and partnerships with the bigger companies and this exhibition has been fantastic for doing this. We’re so happy with the results – we will be exhibiting again. Knowledge is everything and this is where you’ll get the knowledge."
Jamie McConnel, network director, Norsk European Wholesale, UK

"We have had plenty of positive feedback and several good sales leads we are following up. You certainly meet the right kind of people at CPL."
Darren Beamer, global products manager, bmi, UK

"It was great to meet decision-makers from medium and large organisations. The follow-up I’ve had from the show has been pretty encouraging."
Alastair Broom, managing director, Valley Technology, UK

"We’ve had a tremendous response at the CPL Expo this year, absolutely phenomenal. We’ve had a huge amount of interest in our solution – we’ve never been alone on the stand! ORTEC will certainly be attending the next CPL Expo due to the fantastic attendance and interest."
Richard Skipworth, UK director, ORTEC, Netherlands