FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 2009

ASSET MANAGEMENT CONSULTATION
John Ulmer, Project Director, Postal Transformation, seeks your input on the development of an Asset Management Program for Postal Transformation. He is in the process of determining a better way to manage the equipment Canada Post shares with its customers, including monos, containers and skids (plastic or otherwise.) Equipment shortages abound and this is recognized as a major pain point. If you would be willing to contribute ideas and enter discussions concerning asset management, John Ulmer can be reached at the contact points noted. View current state, as well as the three main areas of investigation for management systems: RFID technology, Canada Pallet Council, Third party management – click here.
john.ulmer@canadapost.ca

CONFIRMATION – CHANGES TO 2009 RATES & SPECIFICATIONS
All mailers will be receiving a revised 2009 rate package shortly from Canada Post that confirms several modifications to the announcement package sent out in July 2008. As previously advised to NAMMU members, the domestic basic letter rate (standard S/L up to 30g) moves up two cents to 54 cents, effective January 12. Incentive Lettermail rates up to 30g move to 52 cents for Machineable; 51 cents for Presort.

Canada Post is maintaining the 2008 prices for the Standard S/L Lettermail over 30g up to 50g, and Other Lettermail (Non-standard and Oversize) until further notice. Canada Post is not proceeding with the changes to specifications and associated prices for Irregular Oversize Lettermail.

The implementation of the surcharge for non-compliance announced in the July notification package related to new wooden pallet specifications is delayed until further notice. Please contact your Canada Post representative if you have not received your revised package. Click here to view the overview of changes:

ATRIUM BUYS NUTRI-HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Quebec City based Atrium Innovations Inc. recently acquired Nutri-Health Supplements, LLC (NHS) located in Cottonwood, Arizona. The company’s brand umbrella includes the Nutri-Health brand which represents 90 per cent of NHS’ total sales. This brand is sold through the direct to consumer channel, mainly through a well established mail order program. With this acquisition, Atrium moves into DTC sales for the first time. CEO Pierre Fitzgibbon noted the purchase is strategic because NHS makes 90 per cent of its sales via mail order and Atrium will gain direct-to-consumer sales knowledge. This could lead to further synergies including cross marketing of Atrium’s other brands.
Learn more: www.atrium-innov.com

CANADIANS’ REACTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS
Canadians have reached a 25 year low in optimism and confidence toward the Canadian economy, yet are surprisingly more bullish toward their personal financial situations – according to the annual POLLARA Financial Outlook Survey for the Economic club of Canada. The national poll which has been conducted annually since 1985, says Canadians expect 2009 to be a year in which the economy worsens, employment levels drop substantially, inflation spirals, taxes surge, the national debt balloons, and the value of the Canadian dollar depreciates. Yet Canadians also report that their personal financial situation was better than expected in 2008, and they anticipate personal financial growth in 2009.

According to Michael Marzolini, Chairman of POLLARA Strategic Insights, there is a perplexing disconnect in current public opinion – while Canadians overwhelmingly feel the economy is in deep crisis, on average, many feel unaffected to date, and in fact, expect their personal economic situation to be maintained or improved in 2009. “Don’t for a minute think they are laid back about the situation – they are truly alarmed for the country as a whole – they just don’t think it will happen to them.” Marzolini also points out that the Canadian public is currently favorable toward any step the government could take to boost the economy. Learn more: http://www.pollara.com/ECOT

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eView is the electronic bulletin of the National Association of Major Mail Users highlighting issues of interest to business mail communication and delivery professionals. Content: KMR Group. The information contained in eView is obtained from various sources and believed to be reliable but accuracy cannot be guaranteed.