Arandell Corporation

“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.

Jamie Marquardt, Director, Marketing & Communications

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

Do you Pass the Droop Test?

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.

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

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.

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

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!

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

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.

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

The following was released from the Postmaster General this afternoon. Some great news for your Thursday afternoon!

For questions regarding this release or other postal issues, please contact Don Landis , Arandell VP of Postal Affairs or Susan Pinter, Director of Postal Affairs at 800-558-8724.

To Postal Service Customers:

Many of you have expressed concerns regarding mailing costs for 2010.  The tough economic climate has presented significant challenges to all of us and pessimistic speculation has suggested that postal prices could increase by as much as 10 percent.

As we begin a new fiscal year and as many of you, our business clients, are preparing your 2010 operating budgets, we want to end all speculation.

The Postal Service will not increase prices for market dominant products in calendar year 2010.

Simply stated, there will not be a price increase for market dominant products including First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, periodicals, and single-piece Parcel Post.  There will be no exigent price increase for these products.

This is the right decision at the right time for the right reason.  Promoting the value of mail and encouraging its continued use is essential for jobs, the economy, and the future of both the Postal Service and the mailing industry.

While increasing prices might have generated revenue for the Postal Service in the short term, the long term effect could drive additional mail out of the system.  We want mailers to continue to invest in mail to grow their business, communicate with valued customers, and maintain a strong presence in the marketplace.  Changes in pricing for our competitive products-Priority Mail, Express Mail, Parcel Select, and most international products-are under consideration.  We expect to announce a decision in November.

We are committed to working with customers to find ways to grow the mail through innovative incentives like the Summer Sale and contract pricing.  Mail is the most effective means of communication and advertising and we will continue to work together to increase the value of the mail.  Mail is a smart investment for the future.

John E. Potter

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

As 2009 approaches the end, it appears the USPS is seriously considering the earlier-proposed Winter Postage Sale. The USPS’s final decision should be announced in the upcoming weeks. Like the USPS Summer Sale, the proposed Winter Postage Sale will provide yet another incentive for catalogers and direct mailers to increase their mail volume. In my opinion, the Winter Postage Sale will be an improvement from the previous postage incentives offered.

Unlike previous postage incentives, the Winter Sale will have a less complicate formula to calculate qualifications and savings. (The proposal is to simply base qualifications and savings on  any mail volume increase over the same period last year for the months of January 2010 through March 2010.)  It will also offer the largest incentive (proposed 30% discount) for direct mailers that qualify.

Earlier this week Hamilton Davison, Executive Director of the American Catalog Mailers Association, posted an update on the USPS proposed Winter Postal Sale. Within the article he shares the impact that ACMA has had with the proposed incentive, deadlines and additional details on the postage rebate.

Don Landis, VP, Postal Affairs

This week will be an exciting one for some first-class mailers. On August 21, letters were mailed to all First-Class mailers who qualify for the upcoming First-Class Mail (FCM) Incentive Program. (Think you qualify, but didn’t receive a letter? Click here to contact the USPS.) The sale on First-Class mail is going to be structured similarly the USPS Summer Sale (which will last through September 30) that was rolled out for standard mailers earlier this year.

 And, so you ask:

What qualifications do I need to meet in order to participate in the First-Class Mail Sale?

• Minimum of 500,000 non-parcel First-Class pieces mailed through your Permit account between October 1 and December 31 of both 2007 and 2008.
• Undergo a 45-day approval period by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC).

What Incentive is being offered for participants in the First-Class Mail Sale?

• 20% postage rebate (credited to your postal Permit account) for qualifying presort letters, flats and cards mailed between October 1 and December 31, 2009.
• After the rebates are applied, the discounted price, on average, will land somewhere between the First-Class Mail and Standard Mail rates.

Act now!

If you received your participation letter, be sure to visit the program registration Web site. You’ll also need to work with your mail service providers to obtain accurate 2007 and 2008 counts to provide documentation to the USPS Participants. The difference between those two years’ mailing quantities will determine your incentive threshold.

If you have NOT received a participation letter but you think you qualify, click here to contact the USPS directly. Remember…this particular program is for First-Class mail ONLY.

Standard mailers, stay tuned!

These incentive programs may be here to stay. A potential winter sale is being considered, with even more features than the Standard Mail summer sale. My personal perspective is that until the USPS turns itself around, the organization will continue to find new ways to incentivize mailing quantity increases. And, even when the postal service does end up back in “the black,” I can fully see them continuing to offer these incentives during non-peak mailing seasons as long as they continue to see results. So mailers, keep on mailing!

For additional information, please contact Don Landis or Susan Pinter; they can both be reached at 800-558-8724. You can also contact the USPS directly regarding the First Class Mail Incentive Program at firstclassmailincentive@usps.gov.

Gary Sierzchulski, VP, Arandell Data Services

The USPS’s recent announcement to assess charges for mailings that do not comply with the Move Update requirements starting in January should be a non-issue for mailers.  The sad truth however is that it still causes many of you confusion, anxiety, and worry.

Very simply put - In today’s environment, there is no reason not to run NCOA on each and every mailing you do regardless of how small they are.  To do anything else even though it complies with the USPS’s requirements really defeats the overall purpose and does not provide an efficient / effective mailing campaign.  All of the other options approved by the USPS are either done during or after the actual mailing.  So why waste dollars when you have the ability to make the changes before the mailing goes out?

 To recap - Here is what NCOA provides you with:

• Change of Address
• Address Standardization
• Carrier Route Coding
• Zip Code Correction
• Zip+4 Coding
• DPV Coding
• CASS Certification
• Identification of non-deliverables

What other product can deliver all of this at an extremely low price with almost immediate turnarounds?  AND before the mailing goes out?

For additional information on the increase for non-compliant mail piece click here.

I am always available as well via email at GASierzchulski@Arandell.com at 414-248-9151.