ExpressCube recently conducted an interview with Peter Leerintveld, President of LOGISTORE and LOGITRADE, who is heading up the European Distributorship for ExpressCube.

ExpressCube: Can you give us some background on yourself, your team, and your companies?

Peter Leerintveld: Twenty years ago I started two companies: LOGISTORE, a company that provides logistics consultancy services, and LOGITRADE, an import and trading company for logistic components and equipment. Let me tell you about LOGISTORE. LOGISTORE is an engineering consultancy and knowledge centre for internal business logistics. LOGISTORE knows how to establish and perfect a flow of goods utilizing sophisticated solutions. We have a specific philosophy. We start from the basic processes and devise smart logistic concepts which are appropriate for our customers’ products and approach. Our aim is to develop concepts from the shop floor and operate within the parameters of a company’s objectives in relation to its strategy, technology, organization, information and finances. We understand that a solution which enjoys widespread support within a company will ultimately yield the greatest return. We focus on the details without losing sight of the overriding corporate interests. LOGISTORE draws on sound, practical experience acquired in highly diverse companies and has personnel with excellent qualifications.  Our LOGITRADE operation will be the vehicle for the distribution of ExpressCube in Europe.

ExpressCube: How can LOGITRADE, which is located in Rossum, the Netherlands, best serve as the exclusive ExpressCube dealer for the European market?

Peter Leerintveld: Generally, we have a lot of experience in trading with foreign countries. The Dutch are great traders as you know. In the logistic sector, we are very successful in KHT measure & weighing computers for dimensioning individual products (mostly incoming goods). We know what to do in the marketplace.

ExpressCube: How do you plan to market the product?

Peter Leerintveld:  LOGITRADE has the contract as the exclusive European importer with and we will settle dealers in several countries and areas. We will work with fixed prices that will be favorable relative to those of the competition (CubiScan, Mettler Toledo, and Sick). We will support and service the dealers personally, over the telephone, over the Internet, and at key exhibitions. Serious Dealers will have to buy five machines. We will supply six machines (order five, get six) so one machine can be used in demonstrations.

ExpressCube: What in a nutshell is your mission at LOGISTORE?

Peter Leerintveld: LOGISTORE’s smart logistic concepts can help our clients to cope with growth by obtaining
more output with the same amount of effort. LOGISTORE’s smart logistic concepts can help them to achieve massive cost savings with less effort and the same amount of output. We are very focused on providing practical approaches that always yield a profit! Some of the sectors we have been involved with include: audio and video, automotive, computer supplies, electrical engineering, medical and pharmaceutical supplies, equipment and parts, household goods, medical equipment, furniture storage and shipments, multimedia, e-commerce and incentives, office supplies, sanitation, shoe wholesalers, textiles, value-added logistics, and foodstuffs.

ExpressCube: How did you become aware of ExpressCube?

Peter Leerintveld: I saw the ExpressCube at the Chicago Material Handling Fair in January 2007. Subsequent discussions with Gord Cooper, VP Marketing at ExpressCube, convinced us that they were a good match for us organizationally and that their product ExpressCube had strong potential in the European marketplace that we know so well. In the EU more parcels are sent via airfreight and CEP companies. ExpressCube is a simple, easy-to-use machine that can help those increasing numbers of parcel shippers. More broadly, we see the following markets as ripe for ExpressCube: airfreight parcel shipping, couriers, companies offering value-added logistics, and companies that have their own larger bigger mailrooms.

Overall, we know that ExpressCube will best serve internal pick-check-pack operations that send rectangular boxes. Our slogan will be “Check Right, Pay Right”. Because we are close to the market we know there is strong demand in the EU market for logistics products and services – demand for no-nonsense people – and labor-saving logistic concepts and equipment.

ExpressCube: Can you briefly describe ExpressCube technology?

Peter Leerintveld: ExpressCube countertop dimensioning systems deliver the answer for maximizing slotting, picking and packing, cubing, dimensioning, and weighing of packages. ExpressCube countertop cubing systems can help to eliminate shipping penalty charges by letting shippers use their couriers’ dimensional weight factor (dim factor) to accurately determine the shipping weight used to calculate their invoices. ExpressCube products are precision devices that are quiet, utilize flexible interface communications, and are highly adaptable to a wide variety of working environments. Their new patent-pending dimensional arrays are safe – there are no lasers used in any of our products. 

The key to this technology is a distributed microprocessor configuration that uses a combination of passive sensors and mathematical algorithms to quickly dimension boxes without moving parts or expensive laser technology. In addition to being relatively inexpensive, this approach provides a very robust device with very little maintenance required.

ExpressCube: What is the influence of CEE regulations?

Peter Leerintveld: Imported products will have to fulfill regulations regarding warranty and safety.

ExpressCube: Which countries could have the most interest in ExpressCube and why?

Peter Leerintveld: Germany, the UK, France, Scandinavia, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey would have the most interest. These are trading countries and countries with a lot of postal activities.

ExpressCube: What models are you going to recommend to your customers?

Peter Leerintveld:  There are two different models:

ExpressCube 150
The ExpressCube 150 is a low-cost dimensioning and weighing system solution for moderate volume shipping applications. Designed to fit on a 24" countertop, this unit will measure and weigh boxes with dimensions of 18" × 24" × 30" or a measuring grid of 7.5 ft³, and weigh up to 70 lbs. A low cost, reliable and user-friendly DM solution, ExpressCube is designed to be set up and operating out of the box in 5 minutes. ExpressCube provides an instant determination of gross and dimensional weight. With the press of one key, a shipper can determine dimensional weight based on different dimensional Factors used by different carriers and postal services. Errors are eliminated and savings are immediate. 

Multiple communication ports on the rear of the ExpressCube provide data input and output for integration to the customer’s computer, WMS systems, bar code readers, and digital data displays. The ExpressCube 150 has no moving parts, providing low maintenance and increased reliability. ExpressCube is designed to be operating in less than 5 minutes from removal of its shipping box. Customers’ anxieties will also not be raised, as there are no lasers used in this device or noisy ultrasonic.

ExpressCube 250
The ExpressCube 250 is a countertop dimensioning and weighing unit with an expanded dimensional measuring capability over the ExpressCube 150. This unit will measure rectangular boxes with dimensions contained in 24" × 24" × 36" measuring grid (12 ft³) and weight up to 70 lbs. This larger capacity makes the ExpressCube 250 ideal for e-Commerce and order fulfillment applications.

Express Cube: Thanks for talking to us!

As you might know, effective January 2007, UPS began charging for dimensional or “Dim” weight for ground shipments. This was a big change for package shippers, with potential increases of up to 75% for large packages (source: Freight International). Other couriers are expected to follow suit.   The USPS will also be making a similar move with the shift to Shape-Based Pricing on May 14, 2007. Our discussions with freight auditors have established that couriers are arbitrarily adjusting bills upwards. At the USPS, if the postage is not correct, the post office will either return the package or charge the receiver.  Recent studies of a National Post Office found that 35% of its parcels had incorrect dimensioning and/or weights which resulted in lost revenue.

Some background. To determine the dimensional weight, it is important that the package shipper obtain the dimensioning factor (Dim Factor) that is going to be used by a particular carrier. This number is usually published on carrier websites. For example, the shipper would take a Dim Factor of 194 (a popular Dim Factor with large carriers) and use it to divide the volume calculation. Therefore, the Dim Weight equation is (L x H x W)/194. The shipper now has two weights, the actual scale weight and the calculated Dim Weight. The carriers will base their charges on the higher figure, and, for the lighter and bulkier items, it is usually Dim Weight.

It looks simple enough, but it isn’t. The variable is accuracy of measurement, particularly of a lighter and larger-sized pack¬age. When faced with different Dim Factors and application rules from the various carriers, selecting a cost-effective carrier and determining the actual charges can be a formidable task for most package shippers. Those parcel shippers who ignore the new reality of Dim Weight face an ever-increasing stream of supplemental charges from their carriers, usually sent to the shipper long after the package’s arrival. There is an associated customer service problem – the dilemma of passing on that additional charge to the customer or absorbing it. It’s safe to assume that Dim Weight considerations are the death knell for educated guesses and the old reliable tape measure. Costs and penalties are too prohibitive to rely on guesstimates. That is why accuracy is paramount in calculating Dim Weight. Shippers are looking to technology to eliminate human error, avoid customer relations issues and maintain, if not improve, profit margin.

Technology has rapidly responded with several scanning and Dim Weight systems on the market ranging from simple stationary devices to ceiling-mounted laser scanning devices. Shortly, wherever you find a scale in business, you are going to find a cubing machine. The attention that our industry is garnering with venerable companies such as Mettler-Toledo Cargoscan, Quantronix with Cubiscan and ourselves is proof of the shift. The systems that rely on lasers tend to be significantly more expensive, with some overhead automated cubic scanners costing $100,000 or more. Predictably, most of the laser-based systems require higher costs for set-ups and ongoing maintenance due to sophisticated moving laser parts.  But there is a new highly effective, cost-effective solution for package shippers. 

ExpressCube is a division of Global Sensor Systems Inc. a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the dimensioning and weighing of parcels, the ExpressCube division of Global was established.  A team of innovative designers and engineers utilizing 30 years of experience and proven technology created the ExpressCube DIM weighing solution that is now considered the most advanced countertop system in the world.

ExpressCube Counter Top Dimensioning Systems delivers the answer for maximizing slotting, pick and pack, cubing, dimensioning and weighing of packages. ExpressCube countertop cubing systems can help eliminate shipping penalty charges by letting shippers use their courier’s dimensional weight factor ( dim factor ) to accurately determine the shipping weight used to calculate their invoices. The ExpressCube products are precision devices that are quiet, utilize flexible interface communications and are highly adaptable to a wide variety of working environments. Our new patent-pending dimensional arrays are safe – there are no lasers used in any of our products.

The key to this technology is a distributed microprocessor configuration that uses a combination of passive sensors and mathematical algorithms to quickly dimension boxes without moving parts or expensive laser technology. In addition to being relatively inexpensive, this approach provides a very robust device with very little maintenance required.

Three different models are available:

ExpressCube 150
The ExpressCube 150 is a low cost dimensioning and weighing system solution for moderate volume shipping  applications. Designed to fit on a 24" countertop, this unit will measure and weigh boxes with dimensions of 18"x24"x30" or a measuring grid of 7.5ft3 , and weigh up to 70 lbs. A low cost, reliable and user-friendly Dm solution, ExpressCube is designed to be set up and operating out of the box in 5 minutes. ExpressCube provides an instant determination of gross and dimensional weight. With the press of one key, a shipper can determine dimensional weight based on different. Dimensional Factors used by different carriers and postal services. Errors are eliminated and savings are immediate. 

Multiple communication ports on the rear of ExpressCube provide data input and outputs for integration to the customer’s computer, WMS systems, bar code readers and digital data displays.  The ExpressCube 150 has no moving parts, providing low maintenance and increased reliability. ExpressCube is designed to be operating in less than 5 minutes from removal of its shipping box. Customer's anxieties will also not be raised, as there are no lasers used in this device or noisy ultrasonic.

ExpressCube 250
The ExpressCube 250 is a countertop dimensioning and weighing unit with an expanded dimensional measuring capability over the ExpressCube 150. This unit will measure rectangular boxes with dimensions contained in 24"x24"x36" measuring grid (12ft3) and weight up to 70 lbs. This larger capacity makes the ExpressCube 250 ideal for e-Commerce and order fulfillment applications.

ExpressCube EC- 2448-CL-W2
The ExpressCube EC-2448-CL-W2 is a fast conveyor dimensioning unit that can individually scan*, dimension and weigh packages at a typical rate in excess of 500 packages per hour.

Further details on these products, associated accessories, software and systems integration services are available on our website.

ExpressCube is interested in all opportunities worldwide and will respond promptly to requests for further information, pricing, quotes and distributor inquiries.

 ExpressCube 150 is a low cost dimensioning and weighing system solution for moderate volume shipping applications.

 (PRWEB)May 2, 2007 -- The ExpressCube 150 is a low cost dimensioning and weighing system solution for moderate volume shipping applications. Designed to fit on a 24" countertop, ExpressCube 150 will measure and weigh boxes with dimensions of 18"x24"x30" and weigh up to 70 lbs. ExpressCube is a division of Global Sensor Systems Inc. a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the Dimensioning (DIM) and weighing of parcels, the ExpressCube division of Global was established. A team of innovative designers and engineers utilizing 30 years of experience and proven technology created the ExpressCube DIM weighing solution that is now considered the most advanced countertop system in the world.

"Recent studies of a National Post Office found that 35% of its parcels had incorrect dimensioning and/or weights which resulted in lost revenue. This is especially relevant given the shift to Shape-Based Pricing by the USPS stating May 14, 2007," said Gordon Cooper, CEO, ExpressCube. "If the postage is not correct, the post office will either return the package or charge the receiver. Couriers will arbitrarily adjust the bill upwards."

 "We recently demonstrated the ExpressCube 150 at an open house," said Jim Spates, Partner, Innovative Mailing and Shipping Systems Inc., Long Island. "It generated a lot of excitement with potential customers."

With almost every order different, the variation in billing costs due to dimensional weight becomes very difficult to predict without time consuming measurements and weight calculations. The ExpressCube 150 provides an instant determination of gross and dimensional weight. With the press of one key, a shipper can determine dimensional weight based on different DIM factors used by different carriers. Errors are eliminated and savings are immediate.

Multiple communication ports on the rear of ExpressCube provide data input and outputs for integration to the customer's computer, WMS systems, bar code readers and digital data displays. The ExpressCube 150 has no moving parts, providing low maintenance and increased reliability. ExpressCube is designed to be operating in less than 5 minutes from removal of its shipping box. Customer's anxieties will also not be raised, as there are no lasers used in this device or noisy ultrasonic.

About Express Cube:

Global Sensor Systems Inc. is a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing, and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the Dimensioning (DIM) and weighing of parcels, the ExpressCube division was established to market the ExpressCube products. ExpressCube utilizes Global's 30 years of proven technology and innovative designs. ExpressCube is now the undisputable state-of-the- art, Dimension and weighing solution. Please visit at www.expresscube.com for more information.

Contact Information:

Company Contact: Gordon Cooper - CEO; 905-507-0007, www.expresscube.com.

Media Contact: Howard Oliver, What If What Next™ - Web2.0 PR, 416-638-8582.

Link: http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/4/emw522311.htm

Beginning May 14 the USPS will be using a Shape-Based Pricing system for packages.

See: http://del.icio.us/HowardPR/shapebasedpricing for articles on the subject. Stay tuned for more coverage on this blog....

ExpressCube Gets Business in Shape for Shape-Based Pricing

An important piece on Shape-base pricing was published recently. These changes were the big buzz at the Postal Show we attended recently in Washington. The cost impact to shippers will be huge.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.chathamjournal.com/weekly/business/bizcolumns/postal-rate-hike-70410.shtml

Shape-based pricing
The new prices also reflect differences in the costs of handling letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages. Instead of using an item’s weight as the primary factor to establish shipping costs, a size, thickness and weight combination will now become the standard. Essentially, mail items that are easier for the USPS to process will be rated lower than items that are not. Because of their shape differences, letters, flats and parcels will now all be priced differently because each is handled and processed differently. The proposed Shape-Based Pricing structure will significantly increase postage costs for various types of mailing applications. It also means there are going to be changes to how mail is processed.

Shape-Based Pricing is a form of dimensional weight. It promotes the use of easily sorted postal flats as well as high-density packages. On the other hand, it penalizes shippers of larger, lightweight packages.

The effects of Shape-Based Pricing will impact all mailers to one degree or another. Just how much will be determined by the type and volume of mail pieces sent. Small volume mailers will need to manually measure the size and thickness of their letters and flats to ensure proper postage is applied. Mid- to high-volume mailers will need to utilize some form of automation to help apply proper postage and keep the mail stream efficiently flowing. The bottom line is that all mailers will now need to be conscious of the size, thickness and weight of their mail pieces if they expect to save money and maintain productivity under the new structure.

The National Postal Forum: We are going to be telling the “UGLY BETTY” story of the shipping world

Toronto, March 25, 2007 – Business leaders will be following the “UGLY BETTY” story of the shipping world.  We will be discussing what industry watchers should know about the unloved, odd sized and bulky packages being shipped across North America.   For starters they are more expensive, more difficult to ship and are causing big headaches for businesses in the Internet economy. We will be at the National Postal Forum March 25-28, 2007 - Washington, DC, Booth 484.  The National Postal Forum is the premier educational event/experience and tradeshow for shipping, fulfillment and mail professionals.  We will be providing for media representatives individual briefings behind the story on the huge costs being experienced by shippers across North America. The briefing will include an inside discussion about the serious implications of the industry shift to Dimensional (DIM) Weight calculations by major carriers. Freight auditors will be contributing their expertise to this dialogue. It is a developing story and the media are welcome to visit our booth or to contact us directly.

Background to this developing story should include:

-  Looking at the DIM weight issue for organizations

-  Calculating DIM weight and what it means

-  Paying the price for oversized and bulky packages

-  The implications of shifting to DIM weight calculations

-  Avoiding DIM Back Charges

-  Understanding Dimensioning for Parcel Handlers

-  A low-cost solution for package mailers and fulfillment services

About Express Cube:

ExpressCube is a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the Dimensioning (DIM) and Weighing of parcels, ExpressCube has designed, developed and manufactured the undisputable state-of-the- art, ExpressCube System. Please visit our blog (http://expresscube.blogware.com) for more information and media kit.

Contact Information:

Company Contact: Gordon Cooper – CEO; gordon.cooper@expresscube.com, 905-507-0007, www.expresscube.com

Media Contact: Howard Oliver, What If What Next™ - Web2.0PR, 416-638-8582, holiver@whatifwhatnext.com

We will be at the National Postal Forum March 25-28, 2007 - Washington, DC, Booth 484

The National Postal Forum is the premier educational event/experience and tradeshow available to mail professionals today. Join us at the National Postal Forum to get a complete education in the "Business of Mail."

ExpressCube is a successful veteran in the sensor development, manufacturing and marketing business. Recognizing the worldwide opportunity in the Dimensioning (DIM) and Weighing of parcels, ExpressCube has designed, developed and manufactured the undisputable state of the art, ExpressCube System. Join us with this incredible opportunity.

For the Media: We will be presenting, for individual journalists, a special briefing on the huge costs being experienced by shippers across America from the shift to DIM weight calculations by major couriers. We have worked with freight auditors who know what is going on to gather this information for you.

In addition, we can help you cover the following story angles:

-  Have you looked at the DIM weight issue for your organization?

-  How to calculate DIM weight and what it means

-  Odd sized, bumpy packages pay the price

-  ExpressCube offers an innovative solution

-  Shifts by major carriers to DIM weight calculation

-  Avoid DIM Back Charges

-  A Practical Solution to Dimensioning for Parcel Handlers

-  Why DIM Weight?

-  An opportunity for regional and national couriers

-  A low cost solution for package mailers and fulfillment services

Please consult this blog for more information. Note the media kit listed on the side bar.

To arrange a meeting with Gordon Cooper, CEO of ExpressCube or for access to our story backgrounders please contact our media representative: Howard Oliver - 416-638-8482 or holiver@whatifwhatnext.com.

ExpressCube^TM is a unique and rugged Cube & Weigh system, which features accurate measuring sensors plus an integrated scale.