IPC Mail Bag Pool Services
IPC launched its Mail Bag Pool in February 2010 with 16 member posts participating. The IPC Bag Pool provides a single, long lasting, reusable and environmentally-friendly mail bag to use in international priority mail transport. The Pool is modelled after the IPC Tray Pool, successfully in operation since 2001.
The IPC Bag Pool was opened to new participants as of 2011, including IPC members and non-members.
Durable and Secure
A new type of Bag has been designed to meet our members’ operational needs. It is durable, reusable and environmentally-friendly. The Bag measures 110 x 75 cm, and it has a rope around the rim for tight hanging on the Bag racks. The bottom of the Bag receives an additional thickness for protection against wear and tear. It is made of polypropylene, a fully recyclable material. It has a water repellent and anti- static coating, making it convenient and comfortable to use. Finally it has no seams on the bottom or the sides, providing additional security.
Using CAPE Vision to Manage Bag Operations
IPC centrally manages the Bag Pool using a newly developed tool in CAPE Vision, called the Bag Management Function (BMF). The BMF enables IPC to monitor bag operations and movements daily and to initiate repatriations from net importing members to net exporting members, thus ensuring that every member has a sufficient stock of Bags at all times. IPC also performs central purchasing of Bags and re-supplies.
Every member has appointed one national Bag Coordinator who is in regular contact with IPC central control to perform local monitoring, send out instructions for use, storage and repatriation. The coordinator also ensures that the Bag is properly used only on the valid routes agreed between participating posts. There are currently about 350 Bag Pool routes.
Operational and Cost Benefits
Standardising international mail bags enables our members to reduce the total number of bags they use and receive. Instead of repatriating all incoming bags to their respective origins, the IPC Bag is used again immediately and only surplus Bags are repatriated from importing posts to exporting posts. This reduces manual handling of Bags and frees up space previously used for storage. It also eliminates the need for separating various bags and sending them back to their place of origin. This reduces manpower and work hours.
Members also realize cost benefits by having IPC centrally purchase and manage the Bags, enabling them to decrease the total number of bags they need to purchase compared to what they would have to buy individually. Also, being able to reduce the amount of storage required allows for a reduction in the number of staff needed and a reduction in repatriation costs. A smaller number of bags purchased and limited repatriations will save on storage, on transport and repatriation and on staff costs for every member.
Environmental Benefits and Social Responsibility
By taking part in the Bag Pool, members are able to reduce waste, and decreae the number of bags they need to purchase.
Moreover, the new IPC Bag is fully recyclable and is dyed and printed with environmentally friendly products. The contracted supplier of the IPC Bag complies fully with International Labour Organization rules and guarantees that it does not employ child labour.