Have you looked at the DIM weight issue for your organization? Here is some background:

As you might know, effective January 2007, UPS will begin charging for dimensional or “dim” weight for ground shipments. This will be a big change for shippers, with potential increases of up to 75% for large packages (source: Freight International). Other couriers are expected to follow suit.  

Note this reference from a recent article in DC Velocity:

Our client ExpressCube, a firm whose founder has deep first-hand experience in the courier industry, will be using ProMat 2007 to launch a low-cost dimensioning and weighing system. A quick and easy way to take the price uncertainty out of dimensional-weight shipping, ExpressCube technology could be a rapid deploy solution for the DIM weight issues at your company

Specs: ExpressCube’s revolutionary design and technology provides a robust dimensioning device costing thousands less than comparable products on the market, ideally suited to applications like company mailrooms and factory or warehouse shipping operations. ExpressCube countertop systems can accommodate parcels up to 24”x24”x36” weighing up to 70 lbs. ExpressCube units do not emit any laser light, require no special lighting conditions, and can be used stand-alone or interfaced with a LAN or local PC.

Are you or your colleagues planning to attend ProMat2007? Would you like to set up an appointment to visit our booth (4833)?  Alternatively, would you take a call with Gordon Cooper (905-507-0007)?  

We are also actively looking for distributors. Could this also be an opportunity?

Do contact us at your convenience.

Cheers!

Howard Oliver for ExpressCube

What If What Next – PR

416-638-8582

More Than Ever, Size Matters

The United States Postal system, and all others in the business of delivering parcels, are in for a “shipping shock” come January, 2007. That’s when UPS changes over to charging for “Dimensional Weight,” i.e. charges based on the size of a parcel as opposed to simply its scale weight.

What this means to shippers, are increases of up to 75 percent for large packages. What it means to postal services, couriers and other potentially lost revenue if they can’t follow suit. While this can be argued as an over-simplistic view, the facts are that major shippers—FedEx, DHL, or the USPS have been charging dimension / weight combinations for years. Even the local postal counters keep a tape measure handy for large packages. It’s entirely possible that a package’s dimensional cost will exceed its actual weight charges (for example, a box of feather pillows). Industry analysts agree that the recent UPS announcement will have the others scrambling for their share of the “Size Matters” action.

Industry experts see a challenge for small couriers and shipping companies unable to cost-justify the complex laser-based systems used for dimensional measurement. Such carriers will be losing major revenue opportunity.
 
Richard Cooper is President of a mid-size Canadian courier business, Cardinal Couriers.

“Our company was forced into dimensioning charges by the big players.” says Cooper. “The problem was that Cardinal couldn’t possibly measure each package manually, so we sought out the same systems used by organizations like UPS and FedEx. These were laser measuring devices, hardly affordable for our size of operation.”

The Cardinal solution was to contract with Global Sensor Systems (GSS), a Canadian company specializing in electronic sensing technology. The system developed combines horizontal and vertical sensor bars containing passive dimensioning sensors. The bars are mounted on a custom weigh scale. When a package is placed on the scale, its dimensions are instantly determined and the shipping weight is calculated by a computer within the measuring device.

“Our first system”, says Cooper, “Was installed right in our conveyor line. The operator simply positioned the parcel on the scale up against the sensor bars. The weight and dimension data are captured by the system automatically for logistical and billing transactions.

“The ExpressCube is completely self-contained,” Cooper continues, “with all the software needed to interface with our accounting system. We are able to dimension and weigh up to 500 packages per hour per system. It accepts boxes from 15cm to 122 cm length, 15cm to 91cm high, and 15 cm  to 61.5cm depth. Data collection speed is about 1.3 seconds per package.”

“Apart from being an extremely cost-effective solution,” says Cooper; “we liked the concept of measurement without using laser beams. From a safety perspective on the shop floor, and from the maintenance angle as well—there’s no need for alignment checks on the measuring beams and the equipment is suited to being knocked about on a conveyor line.”

Along with the UPS “shipping shock” there will be a rush for front-end dimensioning / weight systems capable of protecting shipping customers from the inconvenience and paperwork associated with “supplemental billing”, i.e. major carriers are now billing their shipping clients additional charges—frequently two weeks after shipment. These charges are based on dimensional data captured by the dimensional equipment used by the carriers.

One thing is certain, world postal authorities will not be sending customers a secondary postage charge two weeks following a parcel delivery, and continued use of tape measures at postal counters will soon be a thing of the past.

Understanding Dimensional Weight & DIM FACTOR

                 The Importance of Volume and Weight of Cargo for Transportation

All ...   more »

Gordon Cooper is a true entrepreneur, starting businesses from a concept and taking them through the conceptual design, marketing, manufacturing and sales cycle has been the only common denominator that Gordon’s ventures have had in common over the past 25 years. Sixteen companies in total, Global Sensors (infrared rear backing technology for vehicles) Great Canadian Adventure Games (responsible for repeating pistols and water soluble capsules) Isogrid Composites Inc. (patented fiber lay down equipment for aerospace) 77 Charles St Ltd (condominium development) Cardinal Couriers (largest regional courier in Ontario) Grandview Gold Inc. (gold exploration) Express Cube (patented re-weigh and cubing equipment) plus several others. Gordon is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO). Gordon enjoys flying his own Bell 222 helicopter, snow boarding, golf and workouts. Gordon lives in Toronto with his wife Jennifer and two children.

"Effective January 2007 UPS will begin charging for "Dimensional Weight", i.e. charges based on the size of a parcel as opposed to simply its scale weight. Called "dim" and / or "cubing", such charges have been applied by air shippers for years. This will be a "first" for ground shipments.What this means to shippers, are potential increases of up to 75% for large packages. What it means to other delivery businesses is potentially lost revenue if they don't follow suit."

For more in this issue read: http://www.freight-int.com/categories/dimensional-weight-measurement/dimensional-weight-measurement.asp . The piece was repeated on Packaging International: http://www.packaging-int.com/categories/dimensional-weight-determination/dimensional-weight-determination.asp

Richard Cooper and Lorne Hull, who were mentioned in the article, are available for media interviews.

Attendees of Promat 2007 this January in Chicago will get the first public look at the ExpressCube countertop dimensioning and weighing system which accurately measures the length, width, height and weight of cuboidal (rectangle or square) objects in one operation. The device immediately provides the “dimensional weight” of the package which is quickly becoming the accepted standard calculation for shipping charges required by freight and courier companies.

(PRWEB via PRWeb) October 9, 2006 -- Attendees of Promat 2007 this January in Chicago will get the first public look at the ExpressCube countertop dimensioning and weighing system which accurately measures the length, width, height and weight of cuboidal (rectangle or square) objects in one operation. The device immediately provides the “dimensional weight” of the package which is quickly becoming the accepted standard calculation for shipping charges required by freight and courier companies.

ExpressCube’s revolutionary design and technology provides a robust dimensioning device costing thousands less than comparable products on the market, ideally suited to applications like company mailrooms and factory or warehouse shipping operations. ExpressCube countertop systems can accommodate parcels up to 24”x24”x36” weighing up to 70 lbs.

The ExpressCube units do not emit any laser light, require no special lighting conditions, can be used stand-alone or interfaced with a LAN or local PC. Attendees can get a hands-on demonstration of the ExpressCube in Booth 4833. More information is also available by visiting the company’s web site at www.expresscube.com or by calling 905-507-0007.

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