Other News (archive)

25 November 2014 - TNT was recognised at the Supply Chain Global Awards ceremony as winner of the Aftermarket Parts Logistics category on 13 November in London. The Supply Chain Global Awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the supply chain and logistics sector in the global automotive industry.

TNT has provided aftermarket parts logistics services to the automotive industry for more than 25 years and is strengthening its focus on key industries, including automotive, in line with the company’s strategy. TNT was selected for the Aftermarket Parts Logistics award due to its consistent customer focus and firm commitment to help customers reduce costs and eliminate waste from their supply chains. During the ceremony, the judges noted that customers value the expertise and support TNT offers in analysing the impact of changes to their supply chains.

TNT was also recognised by the judges for providing fast road transit times across Europe, appreciated by both dealers and customers in the automotive sector. TNT ships parts directly from auto manufacturers’ central European warehouses to country dealerships, reducing the levels of inventory needed close to market. TNT also provides extensive geographic coverage throughout Europe for aftermarket services, without the need for caging during transport, thereby improving use of capacity and reducing costs for customers.

The annual Automotive Supply Chain Global Awards are hosted by Three Six Zero, publishers of the Automotive Supply Chain magazine. The sixteen award categories cover every major supply chain activity linked with the automotive industry. The award winners are selected by an independent panel of peer judges for their outstanding contributions to the automotive supply chain industry within their respective sectors.

8 October 2014 - TNT Australia is set to expand its hybrid truck fleet – already Australia’s largest – with the acquisition of another 24 Hino 300 Series Hybrids in the coming months. These will add to the 30 hybrid trucks already on its fleet and replace regular diesel-powered vehicles – a move that will reduce the company’s carbon footprint further while easing its reliance on fossil fuels.

A internal study showed TNT’s 30 existing hybrid trucks had emitted 112 fewer tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere than comparable diesel-powered trucks over a four-year period. The study compared 29 hybrid-powered trucks with 29 regular diesel-powered trucks that had the same in-service date range between August 2010 and June 2014 and operated from the same depots. The TNT Hino 300 Series Hybrid trucks travelled a combined total of 2.89 million kilometres in the 2010–14 period, emitting 39 fewer grams of CO₂ per kilometre than their diesel equivalents.

TNT’s Hino 300 Series Hybrids are underpinned by a 100kW diesel engine and 36kW electric motor that optimises fuel use and emissions according to driving conditions and driver input. They can even run in electric drive-only EV mode in stop-start traffic, depending on the level of battery charge.

25 August 2014 – In July 2014 TNT Romania moved its headquarters in Bucharest to a 'green' location. The facility, situated in a new business and convention complex, is certified by the Green Building Council's international Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design programme.

Located at the heart of Bucharest's most rapidly growing office area, the building is just four kilometres from TNT Romania's largest international air and road hub, which offers daily connections to Liège and Vienna. Its environmentally-friendly features include optimised energy performance, indoor air quality control and maximum use of natural lighting, fitting with TNT's longstanding commitment to protect the environment.

The new workplace offers 130 employees from different departments who were previously based in separate locations the opportunity to work together. Bogdan Enache, Country General Manager, comments: "Besides increased cost-efficiency, the move to these new green premises brings a collaborative working environment and better brand visibility. It’s a big improvement to have Customer Service under the same roof with colleagues from other key functions. Our teams can now share resources faster and more effectively, enhancing customer service."

Romania is a growing market for TNT. The prime location of the new office in Bucharest – one of the largest financial and industrial centres in Eastern Europe – will provide ease of access and efficient transfers for shipments in transit, catering to volume growth in TNT’s European Road Network and facilitating international connections to TN'’s global air hub in Liège.

© Götz Berlik

8 August 2014 – On Friday, July 25, TNT was asked by Vet-I-Pharma to urgently deliver a formula milk product to Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. The formula milk was needed for a baby walrus  – the first ever born in a German zoo – that didn’t gain enough weight and would have died without the extra milk. A TNT courier delivered the product to the zookeeper before 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, and the baby walrus is by now doing well.

Vet-I-Pharma BV (Deurne, NL) is a trading company that offers medicines and special food products for animals, among which a broad range of formula milk products. By mixing different formulas it is possible to compose a product that closely resembles the natural milk of the animal’s mother.

8 July 2014 – TNT Express supports Iveco’s Check Stop road safety campaign. This roadshow event is travelling through Italy to educate drivers to the risks of drowsiness. Check Stop offers drivers the opportunity to assess their state of fatigue and check the proper functioning of their vehicle.

All 2,750 drivers working for TNT in Italy have been informed of the initiative. Check Stop will be visiting a TNT transit hub in Italy in September. Drivers will be able to undergo a free, anonymous test on sleep carried out by medical staff of the Genova University. They will also receive advice regarding sleep and safe behaviours to prevent drowsiness at the wheel. 

25 June 2014 - TNT Express Brazil has been selected as the official transporter for all Budweiser and Brahma branded promotional materials related to the World Cup. TNT is delivering items such as cups, caps, tee-shirts and other give-aways from AmBev's factories in Sao Paolo to stadiums, hotels and FIFA fan fests, where big screen parties are held, in the 12 cities hosting the Cup.  To meet AmBev’s requirements, TNT Express is using 170 trucks, including linehaul and PUD. About 150 employees are involved in the process.

5 June 2014 - TNT Express UK&Ireland has tested a train from Rugby to London’s Euston Station, with final delivery to inner city businesses by road. The trial, run in conjunction with Colas Rail, Network Rail and Transport for London, saw a specially-commissioned train carrying tonnes of supplies from leading UK retailers/ manufacturers Staples and Bristan, arriving into London during the night of 4 to 5 June. The goods were sorted in a special operation on the platform side and delivered to hundreds of stores and suppliers throughout the British capital by electric and zero-emission delivery vehicles.

Ian Wainwright, Head of Freight and Fleet at Transport for London, said: "This new trial will help in understanding how major cities can re-integrate this delivery option along with the recent growth in rail passenger journeys, helping to shift freight back onto the rails and free up local roads while reducing emissions by using the cleanest vehicles available." The trial is one in a series of projects to encourage sustainable city logistics options in moving freight.

3 June 2014 - The international football player Romelu Lukaku (21) made a surprise visit in May to a TNT Express employee, Marina van Laeken (47) in TNT’s office in Zaventem. He wanted to thank Marina, his best friend’s mother, for her support during his childhood years in Wintam (Bornem), a Belgian village.

The scene was captured for the national TV show “Iedereen Beroemd” (or Everybody’s Famous), which aired yesterday on Één.

The Chelsea player, who will defend the Belgian colours at the World Cup in Brazil, used to practice football in the garden of Marina’s house. Marina recalled how Romelu literally flattened the garden, “destroying everything” from flowers to furniture.

27 May 2014 - TNT Express has been selected by Somfy to transport parcels and pallets from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.

Somfy, which provides motors and controls for rolling shutters, shades, blinds and other home or building appliances, has recently decided to streamline its supply chain to reduce costs. The company merged warehouses in northern Europe and transformed its Hoofddorp warehouse, close to Amsterdam, into a central distribution centre. TNT Express was asked to assist in the process change and provide an efficient supply line to the UK.

The new setup broke even for costs three months later. This is partly because, as Somfy expected, shipping pallets rather than boxes allowed for optimised inventories and economies of scales.

“Somfy faced the challenge of centralising distribution from a large single warehouse in the Netherlands. The combination of TNT Express’ dedicated customer service and integrated solution for shipments to the UK and Scandinavia contribute to cost savings,” says Mr. Mylemans, Logistics & Customer Services Manager at Somfy.

12 May 2014 - TNT Express will ensure a dedicated service to film professionals in Cannes, France, during the international Marché du Film (14-23 May). Hosted at the same time as the Festival de Cannes, this annual event attracts 10,000 people, including producers, theatrical distributors, sales agents and festival programmers.

Four TNT Express representatives will be available at the TNT booth inside the Palais des Festivals to coordinate the delivery of booths and exhibition items. They will also assist with the shipping of documents and DVDs collected during the fair, both domestically and internationally. Extra precautions will be taken to ensure security of the freight.

 Photo: Cyrille Gibot

8 May 2014 - TNT Express is about to celebrate ten years of working for Eurogen, a leading provider of equine semen freezing storage and distribution services. Based in Carentan, in the French Manche district, Eurogen trusts TNT for all deliveries of cooled or frozen semen.

The region of lower Normandy (Basse Normandie) is renowned for its horse industry. The region collects and distributes equine semen throughout France, particularly during the natural breeding season of the horse, between March and August.

To guarantee the cold chain and secure the samples, Eurogen and TNT use cooling packaging. Cooled semen is transported in qualified insulated bags and always delivered the next day. Frozen semen is transported in liquid nitrogen dry shipper containers.

In 2013, TNT Express delivered 3,700 shipments of equine semen in France for Eurogen. The first months of 2014 are showing an increase compared with the same period of last year.

28 April 2014 - TNT Express was awarded the Express Logistics provider of the Year at the Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA) 2014 in Dubai last week. This is the second time in a row TNT has picked up the recognition. TNT also received an award for its 'Outstanding Achievement' within the industry.

TNT Express was recognised for its innovative services in the Middle East over the past year. TNT recently broke ground on a €9.5 million road and air hub in Dammam. When complete by early 2015, the facility will become TNT Express' flagship clearance gateway into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The investment in the Middle East was cited as evidence of the company’s commitment to the fast growing region.

The winners collected their awards in front of more than 200 industry professionals during a gala dinner held at The Westin Mina Seyahi in Dubai. TNT's Managing Director Middle East, Mark Pell (right in the picture) commented that  "to win the Express provider of the year award again this year is a great honor, the award for outstanding achievement is particularly pleasing for the thousands of TNT individuals who work so tirelessly for our 15,000 customers in the region."

15 April 2014 - TNT Express and FHI, the federation of Dutch technology industries, have signed an agreement to facilitate Dutch high tech exports. According to a recent poll among FHI’s member companies, a majority (61.8 percent) already export their products or services, compared with 10% of Dutch companies overall. Germany and Belgium are the main export partners. FHI’s members, who operate in industries such as medical technology, industrial electronics and industrial automation, also see growth opportunities in the UK, China and the US. About 17 percent of the companies polled manufacture overseas, but are "re-shoring" back to Europe.

FHI's 650 member companies may take advantage of special offers from TNT Express when shipping abroad.

The results of the poll are available here.

Willem Prinsen, MD TNT Express Benelux (L) shakes hands with Kees Groeneveld, FHI, on 7 April 2014

March 21, 2014 - TNT Express will deliver documents and parcels by bike in The Hague, the Netherlands, during the international Nuclear Security Summit (24-25 March). It will also use cargo bikes and motorbikes to make collections and final mile deliveries in areas that are off-limits for vans. This includes various business districts around the international Schiphol Airport. A bike deliver is able to ride at a speed of 35 km/hour (21 mph).

The heads of states of more than 50 countries and delegates from four international organisations will arrive on Sunday and Monday, 23 and 24 March at Schiphol airport. From there, they will drive to The Hague.

Stringent security measures are being taken to ensure public security. The event will affect road and air traffic in the area known as the Randstad from Sunday 23 March 2014 at 16:00 until Wednesday 26 March 2014 at 17:00. Large sections of roads to and around The Hague will be closed at times. The Dutch airspace and territorial waters will be restricted.

March 7, 2014 - TNT Express and MKB-Nederland, the Dutch federation of small and medium-sized companies, yesterday presented the MKB Export Award to Dovideq Medical, a manufacturer of testing devices for rigid endoscopes. Endoscopes are medical instruments used for examining the interior of hollow organs, such as the colon, bladder, or stomach.

The MKB Export Award recognises small Dutch companies with outstanding export plans and results. Although it is but three years old, the 4 employee-strong Dovideq not only provides equipment to Dutch hospitals, it has expanded in Great Britain and Germany. Bert Dommerholt, the company’s founder, is now looking at the US and Australia markets.

The MKB Award is one of several joint initiatives undertaken by MKB-Nederland and TNT Express to support the export efforts of SMEs. The recovery of the Dutch economy relies largely on exports, according to the CPB (Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis).

The number of exporting Dutch SMEs has increased, but they have yet to fully leverage their export potential, particularly to countries outside Europe. Three quarters (74%) of Dutch exports are geared towards EU members. Germany is the first destination in export value (6.1% in 2012), compared with 1.6% for China.

March 6, 2014 -  We are aware of media reports relating to talks between TNT Airways and Qatar Airways. As part of its global procurement policy, TNT Express routinely speaks and works with airlines to operate certain routes and optimise its global transport network. There is nothing else to report.

January 28, 2014 - The fast support offered by TNT Express' customer care centre in Brussels has been named one of the best in Belgium. On 23 January, TNT Express received the "Contact Centre Accessibility" award presented by The House of Contact Centers (THoCC).

During the fourth quarter of 2013, THoCC anonymously assessed the responsiveness of customer contact centres at 157 large companies across 22 industries. Each centre was approached up to thirty times via telephone, e-mail, live chat, web forms, Facebook and Twitter. TNT Express ranked first along with two other service companies. "Our service standards require us to respond 85% of phone calls within 10 seconds," said Rudi Berges, Manager Customer Service Benelux.

TNT Italy app
On the same day, the Italian branch of TNT Express received a special jury prize from CCMM (Customer Management Multimedia Competence) for its customer service app TNT Italia. The app, which allows smartphone users to track shipments and re-arrange deliveries, has been downloaded about 50,000 times since November 2011.

January 24, 2014

TNT Express continues to offer its international delivery service to and from Russia without additional restrictions. Customers can continue to use all our services as normal. TNT Express strictly complies with all customs rules and regulations.

January 22, 2014 - TNT Express will deploy a fleet of 15 specially built electric delivery vehicles in London this spring. The new vehicles will make more than 1,000 international deliveries into the British capital every day.

January 9, 2014 - Businesses across London are set to benefit after TNT Express, the UK’s leading express delivery company, completed a £4.3m expansion of its Park Royal depot, near Wembley.

The development means capacity at the depot, which already handles nearly 40,000 items per week on behalf of local businesses, will increase by over 50%.

Installing 15 extra loading bays and over 1200 sq metres of warehouse and vehicle yard space will mean the depot can not only operate more efficiently and process customers’ consignments more quickly, but with more regional services routed to the depot the overall carbon footprint of TNT Express’ fleet will also be reduced.

Alistair Cochrane, Managing Director of TNT Express UK & Ireland said: "This expansion demonstrates our on-going commitment to investing in our infrastructure in order to deliver direct benefits to our customers via more responsive and efficient services."