The Catablog
Posts Tagged ‘Post Office’
Postal Service Appeals PRC Decision on Exigent Price Request
(October 22 release from MTAC)The Postal Service Governors’ decision means that a petition will be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, seeking a review of the PRC’s interpretation of the law that governs how prices can be set under extraordinary and exceptional circumstances.
The Postal Service position is that the PRC misread the statute and applied an incorrect standard in evaluating the request for an exigent price increase.
“We have a fundamental disagreement with the PRC’s interpretation of the law,” said Postmaster General John E. Potter. “This action is an investment in our future. We need to understand and define the rules under the current law should the Postal Service find itself in a similar situation in the future.”
The Postal Service also asks the Court of Appeals to confirm the Postal Service right to pursue the exigent price increase as originally requested of the PRC.
It is expected that the Court of Appeals will ask for briefs from both the Postal Service and the PRC. Oral arguments also may be scheduled by the court once the petition challenging the PRC ruling is filed.
The Postal Service continues to evaluate other options to address the PRC’s ruling. The exigent price request would have generated about $2.3 billion in much needed revenue for the first nine months of calendar year 2011.
Filing for an exigent price change was the one tool the Postal Service had to use within the confines of the law to help address the impact the recession had on its financial situation. But pricing is only one of a suite of solutions to address the dire financial situation the Postal Service faces. The long-term financial viability of the Postal Service will remain questionable unless the March 2 action plan is fulfilled.
A quick and timely resolution of the appeal is an important part of the Postal Service plan.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of products and services to fund its operations.
USPS Droop Regulations Now Being Enforced
It’s Here!
The Deflection/Droop Requirement went into effect October 3, 2010 for all FLATS! Failing to comply with the Deflection specifications can potentially double or triple your postage costs.
If you have questions about how to reduce your catalog’s droop, please contact us today at 800-558-8724.
A Victorious Day for Mailers, as PRC Denies USPS Request for Exigent Postal Rate Increase
Since the PRC’s announcement about the decision to deny the USPS Exigent Rate Increase yesterday, I have been inundated with some interesting phone calls. I have heard statements like, “elated,” “what a relief,” “this is a morale booster,” and “it feels good to finally win one.” I certainly agree with all of these statements and the mailing industry owes a huge, “THANK YOU” to the American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA), the Association for Postal Commerce (PostCom), the Affordable Mail Alliance and all associates that challenged that request. Arandell Corporation belongs to and participates in all of the aforementioned associations…and more….not to mention that we are one of the co-founders of the ACMA.
So what now? Now the Postal Service will be obliged to follow the law and keep any rate increase within the legal limit, equal to the rate of inflation (currently about 1.4%, but the actual rate that will affect the postal rates for next year will not be known until December). There are additional issues facing the postal service as well, so the Affordable Mail Alliance will continue to work with the USPS to eliminate excess capacity and costs in the system.
Although we are all excited about today’s announcement, there are sure to be more postal changes that will affect the entire mailing industry. Stay tuned to our blog for updates as those issues evolve. In the meantime, get out and celebrate today’s victory! We can surely rest easily knowing that our postal budgets won’t be stretched to the max next year…that is, at least not more than they are already.
PRC Denies USPS Request for Exigent Postal Increase
In a news conference today, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) unanimously denied the USPS request for an exigent postal increase in 2011. The USPS still plans to implement an increase equivalent to the CPI, which is currently around 1.4% (as opposed to the increase greater than 5% that would have been imposed with the exigent case).
This is great news for our industry! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Susan Pinter or me at 800-558-8724.
For the offical press release, click here.
USPS to Propose Exigent Rate Increase
Heads up! The USPS announced this morning that they will present an exigent postage increase to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) later today. Standard Mail will see an average increase of 5.6% with an effective date of January 2, 2011.
We will continue to update the blog as we receive more information.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Susan Pinter and I can both be reached at 800-558-8724.
3rd Annual ACMA National Catalog Forum
The American Catalog Mailers Association (ACMA) held its third National Catalog Forum April 13-15 in Nashville, TN. From a personal standpoint, I thought it was one of the best forums of this kind I have attended in a long time. I should know; I have been in the mailing industry 44 years and have attended more events than I can count. Looking around the room I saw some of the most influential catalogers in the industry.
The forum started off with Mark Acton, Commissioner, U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission. Mark covered a list of postal issues that may impact catalogers. I was impressed with the quality and thoughtfulness of the questions asked by attendees. Pat Donahoe, Deputy Postmaster General of the United States Postal Service, discussed several topics, the one of the highest level of interest being the Flats Sequencing System (FSS) and how it will affect future postal ECR rates.
Other topics covered include co-mailing, Do Not Mail, prospecting, USPS catalog marketing efforts and growth in catalog mail volume.
The ACMA is THE advocate for catalogers. Its annual forum is packed full of valuable information that will impact all of you. In the future, I highly encourage all catalogers to attend the forum, so that we as mailers have a bigger voice in Washington.
For more information, please feel free to contact Don Landis, HDLandis@arandell.com. He can also both be reached at 800.558.8724.
Arandell Corporation Recognized at 2010 National Postal Forum
“We are pleased to recognize and honor Arandell Corporation for its innovation, creativity and leadership,” said Steven J. Forte, USPS Senior Vice-President of Operations, who nominated the company for the award. “It has produced winning business results and supported the mailing industry.”
Arandell Corp., based in Menomonee Falls, WI, is a family-owned, privately held printer and mailer, producing and distributing high-quality catalogs and custom publications for the world’s leading marketers. It provides service to retail, consumer, business-to-business, brand and custom specialty organizations. Arandell offers single-source production which includes premedia, printing, bindery, personalization, data processing, co-mailing, mailing and distribution, logistics, website development and electronic commerce.
According to the U.S. Postal Service, Arandell has been on the cutting edge of ecologically preferred methods of turning hazardous materials into productive uses, conserving resources and protecting the environment. Arandell is a test site for products limiting negative impact on air and water quality and misuse of land and makes capital investments in the latest and most-effective pollution control equipment. Arandell has made a commitment to surpass Federal and State laws regulating water and air quality, and collaborates with suppliers and customers to implement programs limiting the environmental impact of its products throughout its life-cycle from manufacturing to disposal.
Arandell has received tri-certification in forestry management practices from the Forest Stewardship Council, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. All three of these organizations are non-profit, non-governmental groups recognized globally for promoting responsible forest management. Arandell participates in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Green Tier program and is a SmartWay partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to protect our environment, reduce fuel consumption and improve air quality for future generations. It continues to invest in state-of-the-art pollution control equipment and recycles oil, paper, cartons, pallets, plastics, aluminum and steel.
Arandell was among a select group of postal customers honored as “best in class” in the “Corporate Business Achievement” award category.
Founded in 1922 and based in Menomonee Falls, WI, Arandell Corporation provides high-quality premedia, printing, mailing, distribution, list management, database marketing strategies, education, logistics and consulting services to America’s premier custom publishers, catalogers and retailers. Arandell is on the cutting edge of ecologically-preferred methods for conserving resources and protecting the environment with its production practices.
USPS 2010 Summer Sale & 5-Day Delivery Website Address
The USPS recently made the following announcements regarding the 2010 Summer Sale and a newly-launched website regarding 5-Day Delivery.
2010 USPS Summer Sale
The USPS has announced the 2010 Standard Mail Summer Sale Program. To be eligible to participate in the 2010 event, a company must have mailed 350,000 or more Standard Mail letters and flats between July 1 and September 30, 2009 through Permit Accounts owned by the customer or through ghost permits. The sale offers eligible companies a 30% postage rebate for a predetermined volume threshold mailed between July 1 and September 30, 2010.
Additional information about the Summer Sale Program is available at
5-Day Delivery Website Address
The USPS has launched a website on usps.com to provide information to all customers about its proposal to implement a five-day street delivery schedule. The Postal Service proposes to end regular Saturday mail delivery to street addresses as part of a comprehensive plan to ensure that it can continue to deliver affordable service to the American people. Post Offices will remain open on Saturdays.
The website has a planning guide for businesses and household customers, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
The site is live and can be visited at http://www.usps.com/communications/five-daydelivery.
If you have questions about either of these updates, please feel free to contact Arandell’s postal experts:
Don Landis (HDLandis@arandell.com)
Susan Pinter (SGPinter@arandell.com)
They can also both be reached at 800.558.8724.
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