The publication of a report, The Future International Administration of Global Mail - A Review of Other Industry Models, outlining the possible way ahead for the global mail industry in terms of the administration and role of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the International Post Corporation (IPC) was announced at the recent World Mail & Express Europe Conference in Berlin.

A team of eminent academics who contributed to the report, which is supported by both the UPU and IPC, concluded that the postal world can learn from other network industries (in particular telecommunications, aviation and shipping) which have been confronted by similar challenges and are undergoing comparable changes. The report looks at best practice from these other industry groups.

Some industries, like telecommunications, appear to be managing technological change and the emergence of private operators to good effect – probably because of the regulatory necessity to manage global radio frequencies. Whilst others, like aviation, have developed two separate organisations, one outside the UN (IATA), the other inside the UN (ICAO), which seem to co-exist well. ICAO is the vehicle for the industry when governments are required to enforce technical regulation, yet IATA has anti-trust immunity and passes resolutions for individual government approval. Is this a possible model for mail?

There is no doubt that the world's post offices are currently experiencing major change in their industry; electronic substitution, internet growth, liberalisation, growth of private operators and increasing competition on a global scale. Against this background of change, the report asks: Is there a better way forward for the UPU? Can lessons be learnt from these other industries?

Notes to Editors:

Available now, the report The Future International Administration of Global Mail – A Review of Other Industry Models is available at the nominal charge of 50 Euros (+ VAT) for an electronic copy or 95 Euros + VAT for an electronic and hard copy and can be ordered through Triangle's website: here.

Triangle Management Services Ltd., founded in 1984, is today the pre-eminent independent specialist management services company within the global mail, express, and logistics sectors. As well as market research surveys, Triangle also offers the following services to clients: Recruitment, Consultancy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Conferences - all focussed on the mail and express industry sectors.