TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2018 /CNW/ - PUDO Inc. (CSE: PDO) (OTCQB:
PDPTF) ("PUDO" or the "Company"), North America's first carrier-neutral Pick-Up Drop-Off Network
("Network") is extraordinarily pleased to announce the signing of an Agreement ("Agreement") with global third-party logistics
company Landmark Global Inc. ("LGI" or "Landmark"), part of the bpost group, to undertake a mutually beneficial arrangement for
LGI and its customers to use PUDO's Network of parcel pick-up and drop-off locations, to enhance the last-mile e-commerce parcel
delivery experience in Canada on Landmark's new Sprintstar network.
"Sprintstar is a wholly owned subsidiary of bpost and manages a significant portion of Landmark Global's last-mile delivery in
Canada. The launch and branding of this service will take place over the next several weeks and will enable enhanced control
of the client experience. A good example of that control is the addition of PUDO's technology and Network to the Sprintstar
network," says Landmark Global VP Pricing and Marketing Peter Browne.
When the service commences this week, Sprintstar drivers will be able to leave packages at a secure and convenient PUDO
location if the delivery recipient is not at home when the driver makes the initial delivery attempt. In addition, using the PUDO
network of services, Landmark will be able to expand its Sprintstar service to many communities not previously served.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Landmark Global Inc.," says PUDO CEO Kurtis
Arnold. "The Agreement symbolizes proof of concept at all levels for us as we activate our network first in
Ontario and Quebec, then synchronize with western and Maritime
provinces, to help LGI extend their service offering on behalf of their e-commerce clients."
Currently, third-party logistics companies act as fulfillment centres for large retailers and marketplace e-tailers, forward
shipments across borders, manage parcel delivery, and reverse logistics. Regional ware-houses make the inventory and distribution
process much more efficient for retailers, but complex issues related to individual 'end of the last mile' delivery and/or return
transactions can reduce or eliminate those efficiencies, and in some cases, add considerable costs.
"The PUDO Network of pick-up/drop-off points strategically located very near to where people live, work, play, study, even
vacation, can act as community staging hubs (think mini warehouses) for third party logistics companies — instantly extending
their network and shortening the last-mile. Landmark can use these PUDOpoints in a variety of ways, as determined by
geography, volume, seasonality, and consignee preference. Third party logistics companies operate based on volume and
consistency, so the individualized and unpredictable issues related to placing parcels in consignee's hands when they aren't
home, or facilitating return of unwanted or unsuitable purchases, throw a huge wrench into the works, and contribute to the
parcel traffic control gridlock we see and read about as e-commerce experiences double-digit growth annually."
Under the terms of the Agreement, PUDO will:
- Provide 'hold for pick-up by consignee' service in those cases where parcels are re-directed to a PUDOpoint by the intended
recipient, or by Sprintstar when they are unable to deliver to the original address.
- Provide secure 'break bulk' distribution services (mini hub/community staging points) for Sprintstar to provide parcel
delivery consolidation from regional fulfillment centres in locations previously not served by Sprintstar services.
On all occasions, PUDO's plug-and-play technology for mobile and desktop will manage multi-platform tracking and logistics,
and send notifications directly to consignees, providing pick-up or delivery alerts as warranted.
"We are extraordinarily pleased to — after more than two years building a stakeholder network and beta-testing systems and
refining our technology — launch the logistics component of the PUDO Network across all verticals. We will remain focused on
excellent and efficient deliverables for LGI, and on helping them extend their network and customer satisfaction," concludes
Arnold.
About PUDO
PUDO Inc. is developing North America's only courier-neutral parcel pick-up/drop-off
technology and logistics network, as a means of solving the last-mile parcel-traffic-control gridlock that is crippling the
$550B e-commerce sector. E-commerce is faced with unprecedented cost control issues, based on
disproportionately high last-mile delivery costs relating to undeliverable parcels, and parcels returning for refund or
exchange. As labour and fuel costs increase in tandem with parcel traffic and volume, the problem worsens.
PUDO's team of logistics and parcel traffic management experts have created a market intelligence and trends driven solution
comprising courier-neutral plug-and-play technology for desktop and mobile, plus a strategically located network of parcel
pick-up and drop-off PUDOpoints for pay-as-you-go use by all players within the e-commerce ecosystem.
Adopting PUDO technology shortens the last mile for the behemoths of e-commerce — fulfillment and distribution centers
representing thousands of retailers and millions of consumers — by instantly extending their parcel staging and consolidation
network and providing secure 'near end of the line' storage for the 30% of e-commerce parcels that are undeliverable on first
attempt. PUDO's technology and network virtually eliminate costs associated with second-attempt deliveries, un-attended parcel
theft and spoilage, and mismanaged reverse logistics on returns, and provides couriers, retailers, and consumers with badly
needed cost controls, choice, and convenience.
PUDO was founded in 2015 and was recently named one of the Top 20 most innovative public technology companies by the Canadian
Innovation Exchange. After two years of industry and market research, and successful beta testing of the technology and PUDOpoint
geography and protocols with major logistics stakeholders, PUDO is ready to activate its network through strategic
partnerships. Activation will enable all stakeholders within the network to access and control scalable, fluid, strategic
consolidation in real time when and where needed, to lower costs and satisfy customer expectations.
For more information, please visit www.pudoinc.com or
www.pudopoint.com.
About Landmark Global
Landmark Global is the international division of bpost, Belgium's national postal
service. bpost employs more than 26,000 people, handles over 3.9 billion items per year, and delivers to more than five million
addresses every day. For more than a decade, we have enabled our customers to expand globally. Our business has grown from
basic international mail and parcel delivery to full service, end-to-end solutions. This includes proprietary technology and
trade consulting which provide our clients the capability to sell to millions of customers worldwide.
Information in this press release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking
information within the meaning of securities laws, such as statements regarding estimated revenues from new contracts, increased
parcel volume and possible future expansions of PUDO's operations. This information is based on current expectations and
assumptions of management, including assumptions concerning PUDO's ability to integrate its new customers into its network and
successfully execute on its new and existing contracts. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan",
"intend", "can", "will", "should", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Since
forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve
inherent risks and uncertainties. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause
actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking
statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company
can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such
forward-looking information include, without limitation, uncertainties with respect to service implementation, the economic
results of the relationship on the operations of the Company, changes in general economic, market, or business conditions, and
those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. This letter, in particular the information in respect of
estimated revenues, may contain future-oriented financial information or financial outlook within the meaning of applicable
securities laws. Such future-oriented financial information or financial outlook has been prepared for the purpose of providing
information about management's reasonable expectations as to the anticipated results of its proposed business activities. Readers
are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, unless so required by law.
SOURCE PUDO Inc.
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