Russian Post has gained a major e-commerce delivery contract with Panasonic and unveiled plansfor further modernisation of its infrastructure with post office restructuring and improved
customer service.EMS Russian Post, its express business unit, has been awarded a delivery contract by the Russianonline shop PanasonicEplaza, a single-brand project of the global electronic company Panasonic. Thevalue of the contract and the volumes involved were not disclosed.
Thanks to the cooperation with EMS Russian Post, the Panasonic online shop was able to expandits geographical coverage in terms of delivery providing more accessibility to customers along withfaster, safer and more economical delivery. EMS Russian Post said it gets about 60 contracts withonline shops on average every month.
Separately, EMS Russian Post has introduced a new type of packaging ensuring the maximal safetypossible to meet the current transportation requirements in the country. It provides an even highersafety guarantee compared to the EMS safety indicator of 99.98% last year. This is ensured byappropriate boxes and a fixing component provided in addition to the free packaging that includesprotective bags and cardboard envelopes as part of the standard services.
The new packaging is manufactured from hard, multi-layered, corrugated cardboard especiallydesigned for shipping fragile goods. It is offered in two box sizes, as a tube and a special boxfor bottles. The goods in the box can be fixed from within with bubble film and cardboard tabs.Another benefit is the ecological reliability of the packaging material and its furtherrecyclability.
Meanwhile, in line with the approved restructuring plan, Russian Post will restructure andmodernise 1,000 post offices in 2010 which is twice the number initially planned. Under themodernisation project, the post offices will be designed under a single corporate identity ofRussian Post and will gain state-of-the-art technology. The postal operator plans to increase itsrevenues by providing higher service quality in renovated offices. Compared to non-restructuredoffices, the modernised post offices increase their profitability by 15-20% on average.
Launched in 2004, the project was put on hold in 2007 due to investment cuts until thestabilisation of the company’s financial situation. In 2009, Russian Post resumed work on theproject since “no efficient development of the post is possible without the technologicalmodernisation and restructuring of the postal network in corporate style”, Russian Post said in astatement. To date, about 3,000 post offices have been upgraded throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Russian Post has started implementing a new programme for postal employees to improvecustomer service. Post office staff will be trained to improve their communication skills for abetter and more respectful treatment of customers. To achieve the best possible results, acollection of rules and standards for customer treatment was put together serving as guidance forpostal workers and distributed at post offices for obligatory usage. To provide the employees withthe necessary skills and know-how, special trainings including video materials will beorganised.
