The Catablog
Posts Tagged ‘USPS’
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.
Revised Droop/Deflection Rule
Earlier this year, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced the implementation of revised deflection requirements, which went into effect on January 4th, 2010. As a follow up to this implementation, the industry met with the USPS early this week to further discuss the challenges ahead with the droop/deflection requirement. The revised rule states: if a piece does not comply with the deflection 3 inch rule, the piece drops to the Non-Automated Rates. According to the USPS, the floppy pieces need to be taken off the machines and manually processed because the flimsy flats do not feed well on the automated equipment. In turn, this is incurring additional manufacturing and processing costs to the postal service. This will be a big impact for ALL mailers!!! A perfect example is a Standard Mail Flat Catalog weighing less than 3 ounces – The postage will go from .262 cents per piece to .367 cents per piece. This is a 28% increase!!! WOW, the catalogers are not happy with this rule, especially in today’s world of cutting costs and reducing page counts.
The industry continues to work with the USPS as partners to come up with solutions that benefit the mail owner along with their vendors: the Mailer and the USPS! More to come…….
Happy Holidays from Arandell Corporation
Happy Holidays to you and yours from all of us at Arandell Corporation! Our corporate blog’s innaugural year is nearing its end and we can’t begin to express how much we have enjoyed this addition to our marketing repetoire. Here are the links to your favorite articles to date:
A Flurry of Postal Updates: Droop Test, Move Update, Winter Sale, Dry Release Cards
9 Reasons to Mail More in 2010
No Postal Increase in 2010 – Really?
Canada Post Corp. Rate Changes Effective January 11, 2010
If you have any suggestions or requests for future blog posts, please send an email to blogging@arandell.com. We thank you for all of your feedback so far and look forward to adding more in the New Year.
On behalf of all of us at Arandell Corporation, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season.
A Flurry of Postal Updates: Droop Test, Move Update, Winter Sale, Dry Release Cards
The postal world is always busy, but this week we have received quite a few updates and wanted to makes sure you were aware of the following:
1. DROOP TEST: As announced earlier this year, the USPS will be implementing revised deflection, or droop standards on January 4, 2010. It was announced today, however, that the penalty for not complying with those standards will not be enforced until June of 2010.
2. MOVE UPDATE: Just a reminder that the USPS will implement the penalty phase on the Move Update Standards on January 4, 2010. Catalogers must use one of these USPS approved methods: NCOALink, FASTforward, OneCode ACS, Address Change Service, Ancillary Service Endorsement without ACS. Those using an alternative addressing format such as “Or Current Resident” are not subject to the Move Update Standards.
3. WINTER SALE: We regretfully report that there will be no USPS Winter Sale. There will be a Spring Sale starting in April. Details to come the week of December 20. As soon as we can report more, we will send an update to all of you.
4. DRY RELEASE CARDS: Effective November 20, 2009, the USPS announced that it will allow dry release cards to be affixed to the outside of a catalog when the specifications defined here are met. (For catalogs, please refer to the section titled, “Flats with Attached Release Cards.”) Arandell Corporation is equipped to affix dry release cards and we are happy to work with you to create a catalog layout that adheres to these specifications.
For questions regarding these announcements or any other postal issues, please feel free to contact myself or Susan Pinter any time. We can also be reached at 800-558-8724.
9 Reasons to Mail More in 2010
“The economy is weak.”
“My budgets are frozen.”
“We are barely surviving as is.”
“I don’t have enough staff or time to even think about prospecting.”
“I have plenty of non-active buyers on my file who I can turn to.”
And the best one…..”business is not good right now.”
If you answered, “yes” to any of these, you are a great candidate to ramp up your prospecting in 2010, or for most of you, to actually begin prospecting again after a year or two of not doing it. Why? Because the cost and timing to acquire a new customer could not be better.
First let’s look at the cost side of the equation.�
1. The USPS has frozen rates for 2010 and is considering offering incentives to mail more. Even without the incentives, rates are locked for 2010 and for budgeting purposes you have a stable fixed cost.
2. List brokers are willing to deal like never before. Co-ops are also loosening their rules and barriers to entry. Discounts and incentives that were once for only the large mailers (are there any of those left?) are now being offered to virtually all mailers.
3. Arandell Corporation is also in a great position to provide you with the most innovative solutions to reduce your costs and deliver your message as efficiently as possible. Technology in the industry has never been better.
4. Your other suppliers have also been driven to invest in the tools, technologies and personnel to keep you going (as well as themselves) and will do whatever they can to earn your business (and to stay alive themselves).
The other side of the equation is timing and as they say…”timing is everything.”
1. Despite the fact that the economy is shaky, there are people out there still wanting and needing goods and services. If you have been to a mall lately, they are still very crowded. Yes, some stores are doing better than others, but isn’t that always the case and isn’t that what marketing is all about?….finding and talking to people who fit your target? There will always be winners and losers.
2. Because there are fewer competitors of all kinds out there, there are fewer catalogs and direct mail pieces being delivered. If you have a good product, demonstrate value, provide a great experience and deliver memorable customer service, you will be noticed and successful. Again, as bad as it may be out there, people are buying, people are going to stores and people are looking to feel good. What an opportunity.
3. You also have the opportunity to capture customers, maybe for a long time. Keep the messages and your brand going. Once you stop, your “loyal” customers will likely forget about you and stop as well. The people that never heard from you have fewer messages to decipher and that is a good thing for you, so again, now is the time.
4. The amount of available data used to find the “best” prospects is also at an all-time high. Today, you can slice and dice using an infinite amount of data if you feel so inclined.
5. The methods to reach new customers are greater than ever. Every channel has potential for you in today’s environment. Do not assume that your potential customer is not using all of them in their daily lives today.
So, while it won’t be easy, the path to growing your business is a little smoother than it once was and may ever be. You don’t have to jump in with both feet but now is the time to test the water….. at least with your toes.
Arandell Corporation Teams Up with BCC Software
BCC Software, a BÖWE BELL + HOWELL company and a leading developer of high-performance mailing technology solutions, announces that Arandell Corporation, one of North America’s largest privately held web offset printing companies, has joined the BCC family thanks to the comprehensive capabilities of Mail Manager Full Service™, BCC’s top-tier postal software product.
“We are delighted that Arandell Corporation has chosen to work with BCC Software as their postal solutions provider,” says BCC Executive Vice President Chris Lien. “We are constantly working to add new features and enhanced functionality to the Mail Manager family and all BCC products and services, to offer the best possible tools to drive the success of current and future clients.”
Mail Manager Full Service™ provides integrated support for the Full Service Intelligent Mail® barcode and delivers a comprehensive suite of USPS® CASS™ and PAVE™ certified presorting and list-management functionality including enhanced merge/purge and deluxe 24/7 automation capabilities, and a proprietary address-matching API that delivers dramatically higher processing speeds than the industry-standard USPS matching engine.
Founded in 1922 and based in Menomonee Falls, WI, Arandell Corporation provides high-quality printing, mailing, distribution, list management, data-based 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 their production practices.
“Arandell Corporation is excited about our partnership with BCC Software. With challenges like rapidly-evolving market conditions and the ever-changing postal world, it is essential we partner with companies that allow us to stay ahead of the industry. We know that BCC’s products and services will meet those challenges, while also enabling us to maintain customer loyalty,” says Jim Willms, Arandell’s Vice President of Production Planning.
To read more about BCC Software, click here.
For additional information about Arandell Corporation, click here.
No Postal Increase in 2010 – Really?
Since John Potter’s (USPS Postmaster General) recent announcement that there will be no postal increase for 2010, I have been receiving a large volume of calls and e-mails from clients and prospects expressing their extreme delight over the issue. Mr. Potter made the announcement in mid-October that there would be no increase in 2010 for Market-Dominant Products, including Standard Mail, First-Class Mail, periodicals and single-piece Parcel Post. I was somewhat surprised at this decision based on the difficult financial situation facing the USPS, but hopefully, this move will be an encouragement for marketers to get back in the mail or to increase their current circulation. I have seen signs this may be happening as catalogers plan for their 2010 mailings. No postal increase makes that task a lot easier and less stressful.
Throughout the past couple of weeks, there has been some speculation as to whether rates could rise outside of a CPI increase or exigent rate increase. Please rest assured that the USPS has confirmed that there will be absolutely NO rate increase for Market-Dominant Products (again, Standard Mail, First-Class Mail, periodicals and single-piece Parcel Post) in 2010. So, lock in those marketing budgets now…no need to wait for additional postal rate updates from the USPS. Keep your postal budget as is and take advantage of this opportunity to increase your mailings to reach more prospects or to re-activate prior customers.
Questions? Call or email me any time!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB): A Printer’s Perspective
What is the Intelligent Mail Barcode?
The IMB is a new Postal Service barcode used to sort and track letters and flats; it expands the ability to track individual mailpieces and provides customers with greater visibility in the mailstream than the current POSTNET barcode.
When will the IMB be a requirement by the USPS?
Some printers and mailers have already started to implement use of the IMB, but it will not be mandated until May 2011.
Are there different types of the IMB?
Absolutely.
Basic Service: The Basic Service IMB is just like the existing POSTNET barcode, which is simply used for sorting mail.
Full Service: The Full Service IMB will include services such as tracking, free Address Change Service and Start the Clock.
What are the placement requirements for IMB?
The Intelligent Mail Barcode will be printed in the same place as the POSTNET barcode. On flats, the Intelligent Mail barcode can be placed anywhere on the address side as long as it is at least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece.
Will I receive any sort of discount for applying the IMB to my mailpiece?
Beginning already in November 2009, mailers will start to receive a $1.00/M discount for electing to use the Full Service IMB on their printed pieces. By May 2011, those not printing the Basic or Full Service IMB will not receive automation discounts from the USPS.
Are printers ready to start applying the IMB?
Major printers and mailers started testing the IMB when it was first announced. Arandell started to apply the Basic Service IMB on some of its saddle stitching equipment in August 2009 and will continue to add the capability to all of its binding and mailing lines going forward. We’ll be ready to provide the Full Service option when USPS the discount becomes available in November.
How can printers ensure that they are applying a readable barcode?
The USPS tolerance expectations for the IMB are strict and if printers don’t meet those expectations, the USPS could immediately assess the mail owner (catalogers, retailers, publishers, direct mailers, etc.) for additional postage. The current compliance requirement is 70%, which means that 30% of your Full Service mailpieces could have non-readable Intelligent Mail Barcodes, but still pass USPS acceptance requirements. Do you want to take that risk, though? NO! If I were in a print buyer’s shoes, I would make sure that my printer/mailer of choice can ensure a high readability compliance. At this point in time, Arandell is being proactive by installing IMB evaluation systems on all of its production lines to ensure the IMB will exceed the USPS expectations. We are currently complying at 100%. I would not accept anything less.
Why is the USPS implementing the IMB?
The IMB is intended to benefit you just as much as it will benefit the USPS.
The IMB:
- provides more information than the POSTNET, but consumes no additional space on the mailpiece;
- allows for better marketing decision-making by encoding more detailed information about mailings;
- necessitates the printing of only one barcode on any mailpiece;
- gives mailers who utilize the Full Service option the ability to participate in multiple USPS service programs at no additional cost.
This is a very high-level FAQ about the IMB but hopefully it has you thinking about how this implementation will affect your company. For more technical information, you can click here or contact our Postal Affairs, reps, Don Landis and Susan Pinter at 800-558-8724 to answer any questions you may have.
Full Service IMB options, is it right for you?
Arandell Corporation has printed and mailed many retail and mail-order catalogs. Both have their own unique requirements based on their marketing objectives. For instance, retail catalogs have particular in-home dates to meet and are planned in meticulous detail with in-store promotions. Our standard mail-order catalogs often have personalized order forms and inserts that need matchback information to correlate in-home dates and Internet traffic.
With the upcoming changes to the USPS method of tracking mail, specifically transitioning to the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMB) system, the needs of our retail and mail-order clients will be adjusted. Click here to learn more about IMB. We have been surveying our customers to determine how they, or if they, plan to use the Full Service IMB option. As of today, only our retail customers have expressed a desire for Full Service IMB to be used for tracking purposes. Additionally, some retailers are toying with the idea of using the Full Service IMB in lieu of printing Point-of-Sale personalized customer barcodes on their direct mail pieces.
I am writing to learn the opinion and perspective of our standard mail-order catalogers. We have already heard several possibilities on how they might use the IMB services, but at this time have not heard of any immediate plans for mail-order catalogers. Our understanding is most catalogers are just looking at “What if?” scenarios.
Some of the things we have heard being pondered:
- Using IMB in lieu of matchbacks
- Using IMB data for segmentations
- Of course, retail and standard mail-order catalogers are taking in cost considerations with the different IMB options.
It seems the possibilities center around being able to use the IMB for smaller segmentation of files. I would love to learn what you are planning! Do you believe that Full Service IMB will have a large ROI? What information are you most interested in collecting? If you are NOT considering the Full Service, why? Do you fully understand the file requirements to implement your desired IMB service? What possibilities are there for using the IMB in a standard mail-order world other than tracking?
Look forward to hearing from you!
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