THE WAVE
Dear BlueCrest Team,
LeStrange BUSINESS UPDATE
by Dennis
Dennis P. LeStrange President & CEO, BlueCrest
As we enter the last quarter of the year, I'd like to reflect on where we stand and share some important updates on our year-to-date performance. This year has been full of challenges and opportunities, and while we have encountered some new obstacles along the way, our business is still strong, and I remain confident in our path forward.
The global decline in postal volume continues, and the added pressure of increasing postage rates is causing many customers to defer and/or delay purchasing decisions. Volumes in the parcel automation markets continue to grow at pre-pandemic levels, opening new opportunities for BlueCrest. So, against the backdrop of these two very different market opportunities, how are we doing?
Business Performance Overview
Our results are mixed. Revenue is slightly behind plan year-to-date, primarily due to a shortfall in equipment. Software and services revenue remains flat compared to 2023, and we continue to focus on optimizing this critical area.
Written business in our Parcel Automation Solutions segment has been slower than anticipated as John and his team rebuild the "go-to-market" strategy. And BCC Software has underperformed against budget but has demonstrated growth in revenue compared to last year.
Conversely, our Core Business pipeline is stronger than ever, and our total backlog is still robust at $111 million. Equipment product margins remain strong, giving us confidence in our profitability targets. Finally, inventory levels have decreased since 2023, and our Accounts Receivable (A/R) has improved, helping us reduce Net Working Capital.
BlueCrest 2.0
The markets are changing, and it is time for BlueCrest to change, too. This issue of The Wave also includes an update on "BlueCrest 2.0." As we enter the next phase of our company's evolution, BlueCrest 2.0 represents a bold transformation that will carry us into the future. I encourage you to read more about what lies ahead and how this initiative will shape BlueCrest's future.
Looking Forward
While we still have some hard work ahead, a pathway exists to reach our 2024 plan. With strong execution, we can finish the year on a high note and exceed 2023 revenues. Our objectives for the rest of the year are clear:
• Protect and defend our core business.
• Invest in and grow Parcel Automation Solutions.
• Exceed working capital goals.
• Achieve written business targets early in Q4—before the end of October.
With three months left in the year, I'm calling on everyone to stay focused, positive, and energetic. Every day matters and your contributions will make all the difference.
Onward!
Dennis P. LeStrange President & CEO
Customer Events
Parcel & Post Expo
October 22-24, Amsterdam
The world's leading parcel and postal exhibition and conference for postal, couriers, and express. www.parcelandpostexpo.com
Pack Expo International
November 3-6, Chicago, IL
The packaging and processing industry is constantly changing, so attending PACK EXPO International is the best way to stay current and competitive.
www.packexpointernational.com
Manifest
February 10-12, Las Vegas, NV Manifest Vegas brings together the most comprehensive ecosystem of those innovating and transforming end-to-end supply chain and logistics. www.manife.st
Other Events
All-Employee
Meetings
Dec 5, 2024, 9:00 AM E T
Feb TBD, 2025 9:00 AM ET
May TBD, 2025 9:00 AM ET
Sept TBD, 2025 9:00 AM ET
Dec TBD, 2025 9:00 AM ET
Stay Cyber Safe: Beware of Phishing Emails!
Dear Team,
Security and reliability are essential to our reputations individually and collectively as a company. It has taken years of hard work to establish our reputation; be vigilant as it only takes one careless click to destroy it.
Stolen Credentials – Clicking on phishing links can lead to stolen passwords. Cybercriminals use these credentials to access sensitive accounts and steal data or money.
Malware Downloads – Employees might unwittingly download malware by clicking on malicious links. This malware can damage systems or install ransomware, holding systems hostage.
Phishing emails can appear to come from trusted sources, and they often look legitimate and safe. This is particularly important to keep in mind with the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. Please stay safe and cyber aware!
BlueCrest IT
BLUECREST 2.0 Transformation for the Future
by
Dennis LeStrange
Dear Team:
As I reflect on the past six years (2018-2024), we have much to be proud of. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated successes, and worked tirelessly to deliver excellence in all aspects of our business. Your dedication and hard work have been the cornerstone of our achievements, and for that, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
As we transition into the next five-year period, it is crucial to understand the significant external forces effecting our industry and define a new roadmap for BlueCrest’s continued growth and success. This will require us to fundamentally transform our business.
What we know:
Our industry is evolving rapidly across the globe. The international markets’ mail volumes have declined dramatically over the past 5 years and foreshadows a similar story in the US; postal volumes will continue to decline, rates will continue to increase, and the momentum will continue toward digitization of document flow, and other alternatives to mail. BlueCrest’s growth has stagnated, and our customers’ expectations for service delivery and pricing have shifted. With that in mind, we must now embrace transformation to stay relevant, not just survive but thrive in the future.
The Strategy:
Our strategy is simple and is based on our innovative spirit and strong culture:
• Defend and Protect Core Mail: Focus on achieving low, single-digit growth.
• Invest and Build Parcel Automation (PAS): Build and grow this business.
• Acquire Strategically: Identify and pursue strategic acquisitions.
• Leverage Innovation: Continue to utilize this core strength to differentiate BlueCrest.
We will accomplish this by:
• Pivoting our business to reflect our customers’ changing requirements (think Cloud, AI, Parcel, Software Innovation).
• Reimagining our organizational structure.
• Transforming, optimizing, reallocating what we do and how we do it.
• Driving a culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and innovation.
What does Transformation mean, specifically for BlueCrest?
These are things we are doing and/or need to start doing to be successful:
• Embrace Change as an opportunity for growth: Walk the walk!
• Communication: Open and transparent communication will be key.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work
together to identify areas for optimization
- no changes in a vacuum.
• Streamlined processes: leading to greater efficiency.
Next Steps:
• Priorities: We will outline our immediate priorities in order to achieve alignment.
• Update Frequency: Regular updates will be provided to keep everyone informed. Change is a great opportunity for us to grow stronger together. We are aware it can be challenging but let’s embrace this transformation with optimism and determination. Thank you for your continued commitment and hard work.
Dennis LeStrange President & CEO
BLUECREST NEWS
BCC Software InfoXchange a 2024 Success!
by Bill Wynkoop
InfoXchange, BCC Software’s annual user conference, returned to Chicago for the second year in a row on August 12th to 15th. A capacity crowd of 70+ attendees were treated to keynote sessions from USPS and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), partner presentations from Solimar Systems and Quadient, a look into the power of Omnichannel Marketing by MindFire and even an appearance by Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. The Table Talks, one of the conference’s signature opportunities for engagement, once again proved to be a big hit by offering seven topics for a fastpaced give and take discussion in groups of ten.
Additionally, BCC Software presented their customers with an in-depth Roadmap of their solution development with a special nod to their cloud-based API solution, BCC Architect REACH, as well as the opportunity to demo the newly released Version 2 of their Customer Portal.
This year’s offsite event took the group to the House of Blues for a night of great music with Keithen Banks and tasty food and drink in what is one of Chicago’s signature establishments. The next morning, the last day of the conference, saw a number of hearty souls brave the wind and the rain to start their collective day with a walk over to Cloud Gate — known as “The Bean” to Chicagoans, which is the centerpiece of Grainger Plaza in Millennium Park.
The feedback from this year’s event was outstanding and is best summed up by Frank Lynn, from Freeport Press, who was both thumbs up as he left when he said, “the best ever!”
InfoXchange will be taking a hiatus in 2025 to allow for multiple cloud releases to come to fruition. Along with another slate of terrific speakers and presentations, and another round of Table Talks, they will become the focus of its return in 2026 in Nashville (TN).
BLUECREST BLOG
by Justin O'Donnell
Haunted? Don't Let Inefficient Mail Systems Scare Your Business—Optimize Your Postal Operations
As the spooky season rolls in, perhaps there is nothing scarier to us mailing aficionados than inefficiencies haunting our mail operations. Frightening, right? Poor postal optimization can lead to delays, errors, and extra costs that come back to haunt your bottom line. But fear not--BlueCrest can help you bust these ghosts! With the right tools and strategies, you can turn mailroom nightmares into opportunities for growth and cost savings. We say it's time to bury inefficiency in the graveyard.
Mailing from the Cloud
The mailing industry is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to the advent of cloud software. This technology is streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency, and providing new opportunities for innovation. At BlueCrest, we are excited to explore how cloud software is reshaping the way we manage and optimize mailing processes.
Don't Let Data Breaches Scare You Into Bad Decisions
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, data breaches are an unfortunate reality. They make headlines and often lead to panic-driven decisions, particularly concerning the adoption of cloud technology. While high-profile breaches can be alarming, it's essential to keep a clear perspective. Moving to the cloud offers significant benefits that far outweigh the risks, provided that proper security measures are in place.
ASK THE EXPERTS BLOG
Our Ask the Experts blog on BlueCrestInc.com is not just a valuable resource for customers seeking insights and solutions—it’s also a key driver of our SEO strategy. By answering common industry questions and providing expert guidance, we’re boosting our search engine rankings, attracting more traffic, and increasing our visibility online.
Warehouse Automation: Are You Building a Faster Disaster?
Everywhere you look these days, “automation” is the buzzword. It started with the automotive industry, and it trickled its way into nearly every part of daily life. The benefits of automation are undeniable: you can get more work done, you can usually get it done more quickly, it frees people up to work on other things, and it often eliminates dangerous tasks while contributing to a better work-life balance for all involved. But what happens when automation goes awry?
Warehouse Automation: The Impact of Vertical Storage and Autonomous Mobile Robots
As the landscape of warehouse operations continues to evolve, the demand for more efficient, scalable, and intelligent solutions has never been higher. Among the most significant trends shaping the future of warehouse automation are the adoption of vertical storage solutions and the integration of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).
The Future of Card Attaching: BlueCrest’s Vision for a Growing Market
The card attaching market continues to rapidly evolve. This evolution is driven by the increasing demand for secure, efficient, and compliant card issuance across various industries. At BlueCrest, we lead the charge in this dynamic landscape by providing cutting-edge inserting systems that empower businesses to meet these challenges head-on.
BLUECREST IN ACTION
Udo and Uwe are READY TO ROCK!
Fifteen years ago, Udo approached me with a question that would change the course of my musical journey: "Would you join our band practice? We need a new singer." At the time, I had played in another band, but that was in the past. While I couldn't join Udo's band right away, he introduced me to some other musicians, and from that, "Sundown" was born.
Fast forward to today, and the story comes full circle. Our lead guitarist decided to explore new horizons, leaving a gap in the band. Naturally, I thought of Udo again and asked him if he'd step in to fill the role. Not only did he agree, but he brought even more energy and skill to the group.
For us, the key to success has always been the music. We play for the love of rock and roll, and we are more than ready to keep the good times rolling.
We are Sundown, and we are ready to rock!
- Uwe Albers and Udo Neisel
Welcome to"BlueCrest In Action," a feature that celebrates the unique interests and community involvement of our team members. In this section, you'll discover inspiring stories of colleagues who dedicate their time and talents outside of work. Whether it's through volunteering, pursuing unique hobbies, or engaging in local events, "BlueCrest In Action" highlights the passion and commitment that define team BlueCrest. We hope these stories inspire you as much as they inspire us.
Have a story to share? Reach out to Justin O'Donnell | justin.odonnell@bluecrestinc.com
Baltimore Launches New Safety Team
Our Baltimore office is excited to announce the formation of a dedicated Safety Team aimed at enhancing workplace safety. The team will focus on creating best practices, assisting with safety training, and increasing safety awareness among employees. They will encourage open discussions about safety concerns and investigate any incidents such as injuries or close calls. Additionally, the team will write and update safety manuals, develop safety checklists, and ensure compliance with workplace safety laws. By performing inspections and addressing potential hazards, they will advocate for employee safety and facilitate collaboration between management and staff. They will also lead important drills like evacuations and shelter-in-place, ensuring our readiness in emergencies.
Sustainability: Reusing Trade Show Fabric
In today's world, where the focus on sustainability and environmental awareness is stronger than ever, creative and resource-saving ideas are needed. A beautiful example of this is the repurposing of printed trade show walls.
During a trade show in Stuttgart, together with our exhibition construction company, Bruns Messe- und Ausstellungsgestaltung GmbH, we came up with the idea of giving printed trade show walls a second life. These highquality fabric walls often end up in the trash after being used at trade shows and events. Instead of being scrapped, we have turned them into creative and useful products that serve a new purpose: cool and practical items such as shopping bags, lunch bags, and bicycle seat covers—perfect as gifts for clients and employees. Each bag and lunch bag is a unique piece with appealing design and functionality.
The production of these unique products is carried out in collaboration with doro's Unikate, a sewing studio in Heidelberg. They are not only practical accessories for everyday use but also a sign of our commitment to environmental protection and responsible sustainability in action. -- BlueCrest Central District
BLUECREST ICARE AWARDS by Mimi Wood
Thomas Fuller
A big shout-out to Thomas Fuller for his exceptional commitment to going above and beyond in his daily responsibilities. From setting up detailed spreadsheets to creating thorough step-by-step guides (like his recent instructions on using Office 365), Tom consistently finds ways to make things easier for everyone. His proactive approach includes organizing calls, handling parts, and drafting clear documentation, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Tom’s dedication and attention to detail truly embody the ICARE values. Thank you, Tom, for all your hard work and the countless extras you contribute!
Justin Hulet
Justin Hulet has earned well-deserved recognition for his outstanding service at the Logan RRD Facility. His dedication to improving machine utilization and providing expert guidance on new applications has significantly enhanced the efficiency of the Inserting department. Justin is always approachable, available, and proactive in addressing challenges, making him a valuable asset to our clients. His unwavering commitment to excellence makes him an exemplary representative of BlueCrest, especially in his work with R.R. Donnelley in Logan, Utah.
Philip Roura
We are proud to recognize Philip Roura for his exceptional contributions, particularly in supporting key accounts such as the City of Philadelphia's election operations. Phil has consistently demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and dedication, making a significant impact on our client relationships. Joe Lynch, Director of Election Operations, praised Phil’s invaluable support, highlighting his proactive problem-solving, deep knowledge of USPS sorting, and outstanding communication skills. Phil’s commitment to excellence has streamlined operations and helped achieve client goals with efficiency and care. His work exemplifies the high standards of service that BlueCrest is known for.
Yolande Ravanel
We are thrilled to recognize Yolande Ravanel for her invaluable support with AG2R and her contributions to the team. Yolande’s enthusiasm, calm demeanor, and positive attitude make her an absolute pleasure to work with. Her dedication and assistance have been greatly appreciated, and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our team. Thank you, Yolande, for your continued support and hard work!
Connor McMillan
Connor McMillan has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and exceptional efficiency in his role. Recently, he completed the April month-end close for three entities in just three days—well ahead of the typical seven-day deadline. His proactive attitude and willingness to support the team have been invaluable. Connor has also made significant improvements to balance sheet reconciliations and worked seamlessly with auditors, ensuring timely submission of requests. His dedication and outstanding performance are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Connor, for your excellent work!
Congratulations to our ICARE Applause Winners from Q2 2024! They were drawn from the ICARE High-Five winners. Who will be next?
Innovation Summit Team
Team
Members:
Nicholas Aiken, John Morais, Mike Morales, Chhong Nhep, Gary Owens, Kurt Steiger, Kim Stokes, Tom Toppi, Melinda Vill, and Kayla Volpe
This quarter, we are proud to recognize the Innovation Summit Planning Committee for their extraordinary efforts in bringing back this crucial event after a 5-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Innovation Summit, held at our Danbury, CT headquarters, is a vital customer-focused event, and this year’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Danbury Operations and Product experts.
The team worked tirelessly to prepare the facility, ensure operational systems on the manufacturing floor, and deliver a remarkable experience for our clients. The positive feedback from the client survey speaks volumes about the team's commitment. While the entire company played a role in making the summit a success, this team truly went above and beyond to make it exceptional.
Thank you all for your innovative, collaborative, accountable, resourceful, and enthusiastic support in making this event a resounding success!
BLUECREST NEWS
Janice Winfrey
Detroit City Clerk
In her first State of the Elections address, Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey said she plans to employ thousands of poll workers for the presidential election and implement new technology to aid with election mail. The tech? Relia-Vote by BlueCrest.
Read more on AOL.com
BlueCrest Software Portal Launch
The BlueCrest Software Portal is a centralized interface that allows clients to access and manage software-related services. The portal serves as a gateway for users to interact with our support team, tools, and resources.
Within the portal, users can explore a range of features such as user guides, secure file exchanges with BlueCrest support, the ability to create and track support cases, and includes a robust knowledge base of articles for effective troubleshooting.
The user-friendly portal allows you to view all of your software licenses, easily download the latest software versions, security patches and bug fixes. It also provides the opportunity for feature requests and community engagement.
Secure File Exchange
Quickly and easily share files of all sizes in a safe and secure manner to BlueCrest Support.
Software Distribution
Download the lastest version of your BlueCrest licensed software as soon as they are available.
Knowledge Base and Community Forum
Articles filled with valuable information that empower you to troubleshoot issues on your own or in a user-community setting before seeking external support
Support
Create, track and manage all of your support cases in a centralized location for full visibility and faster resolutions.
REMOTE WORK GUIDELINES
With so many team members working remotely, understanding expectations and consistently following guidelines is important! Please note the following:
BlueCrest's Impact on Jefferson County's Mail Ballot Processing
Jefferson County, a region in Colorado, has been at the forefront of embracing innovative voting technology. In 2013, the whole state transitioned to an all-mail voting system, reflecting its commitment to enhancing voter accessibility and participation. With a significant increase of mail-in ballots over the years, Jefferson County faced challenges in managing its election mail processes effectively. For contrast, Jefferson County processed roughly 200,000 absentee ballots in 2010 compared to an estimated 380,000 mail ballots in 2020 —and the trend is expected to continue to rise.
BlueCrest had already established itself as a trusted partner for Jefferson County for over a decade, dating back to the original Olympus Sorting system provided in 2010. BlueCrest's commitment to excellence and track record of successful implementation earned high marks when Jefferson County considered solutions for upgrade.
Jefferson County opted to collaborate with BlueCrest to address these challenges. BlueCrest proposed a comprehensive solution leveraging its advanced, high-integrity inbound mail ballot processing technologies, including the Vantage sorter and enhanced Relia-Vote™ 360 software.
"We’re happy. We really appreciate the support and the responsiveness. At the end of every election, we circle back and search for bottlenecks and inefficiencies and try to improve. To have a partner like BlueCrest who also believes in the continuous improvement mindset makes it easier to operate. Everyone in this office would agree that we made a very good decision to partner with BlueCrest."
- Cuong Nguyen Sr. Technical Support Technician Jefferson
County, Colorado
Read More
• Be camera-ready! Team members should be prepared to attend meetings on camera.
• Be present – be engaged, no multitasking during your call.
• Use mute when you are not speaking to avoid disruptive noises.
• Use company provided virtual background, especially with customers.
• Dress appropriately as if you were at an in-person meeting.
• Your profile picture on any company technology should be a work-appropriate picture of yourself.
• Be prepared - when possible, meetings should be started a minute or two early to ensure technology is working.
• Organizer should ensure all meetings start on time, end on time, respectful of time for all.
• Team members should be available, contactable via Teams during core work hours
• Check if someone is available prior to calling them via Teams, if possible/ practical.
• “Make eye contact” and ensure you speak clearly and into the microphone.
• Outlook calendar/Teams availability should be kept current.
DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS CENTRAL DISTRICT
by Annette Friedl
Acceptance completed - First IntelliJet Advantage 2200 successfully installed at PARAJETT AB in Sweden!
We are proud to say that the first IntelliJet Advantage 2200 - globally and in the Central District - including pre- and post-equipment, has been successfully installed - at our valued customer PARAJETT AB in Landskrona, Sweden. All hardware and software components were installed with the maximum precision and we got the customer's acceptance.
This success is the result of an outstanding team effort. Our technical team once again showed what it can do and, in close co-operation with the PARAJETT team, implemented an installation of the highest standard.
This was not our first joint project with PARAJETT AB. The established partnership and mutual trust played a major role in ensuring that everything worked smoothly. Everyone was able to rely on each other completely - real proof of the strength of a long-term co-operation.
A big THANK YOU to everyone involved on site who made this milestone possible: Vidar Johansen with his Serviceteam (see below) and Matti Saalamo. Without your commitment and expertise, this success would not have been possible.
We at BlueCrest look forward to continuing our successful collaboration with PARAJETT AB and would like to thank them for their trust in BlueCrest.
From Left: Andy Cleal, Jun Khan Hew, Michael Malm, Raymond Andersen
Successful Win of a Large Order: National Council Elections in Austria
We are pleased to have successfully completed another large order: the mailings for the National Council elections in Austria at DMS DATA+MAIL Schinnerl GmbH in Graz!
Thanks to the perfect interaction of our hardware and software solutions, we were able to realize the project perfectly. The solutions used were:
• IntelliJet 20 inkjet printing system
• MPS inserting system with
• Print+ Messenger™ inkjet full-colour printing system
• Print+Response inkjet printing module for return envelopes.
It was our task to process 3.7 million personalised mailings securely and accurately:
• Election announcement letter
• return envelope for requesting election documents.
Special feature: The return envelope was individually printed inline during its processing on the MPS and placed in a windowless envelope together with the personalised election announcement letter. The recipient's address was then printed directly onto the sealed envelope.
A big thank you goes to our passionate service and sales team:
Joachim Hendlmeier, Stefan Wankerl, Thomas Westermeier, Peter Silber and Christine Häfner. Great teamwork and a satisfied client.
From Left: Hendlmeier, P. Silber, S. Wankerl (missing Th. Westermeier, Ch. Häfner)
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Stories from around the world.
CONVERTING DATA INTO VALUE
We have many Channel Partners in Europe and are always looking for ways to keep them in touch with the latest and greatest from BlueCrest, so they in turn can communicate with end-users of BlueCrest technology across the continent.
Our latest engagement was a webinar entitled ‘Converting Data into Value,’ where we discussed the case for driving best practices in mail processing through incremental gains. The foundation for improvements is our world class ability to benchmark client operations against our accumulated data sets from Clarity. The webinar was very well received and reinforced our position as “better and more intelligent” than competitive suppliers and will drive follow up calls with our Partners.
TELL ME MORE, TELL ME MORE!
In the UK, we recently continued our supersuccessful mini-event strategy to connect with our clients. In the charming city of Bath (a UNESCO world heritage site), we gathered our key customers for an afternoon of information and knowledge sharing, followed by dinner.
Under the catchy banner of ‘Tell Me More,’ we dazzled our clients with the latest and greatest in our hardware, software, and service innovations. One client raved, “Had a blast at last week’s event! The product developments were very interesting, and I can see some exciting stuff brewing at Bluecrest!” Another chimed in, “What a fantastic event! I can’t wait to visit your R&D centre in France and dive into those shiny new entry-level offerings!”
CROSS BORDER
In our international geographies, user inserting and sorting appearing ever more on clients are increasingly from refurbished equipment. the trend in the market to continue.
Working across borders manage this market dynamic benefit. A recent example Vantage with Mixed Mail from the German client UK client (McLays). As is reference site visit was process.
Thank you to Stuart Griffiths from our Global Professional services team who shared his expertise and took our Partners on a journey of discovery about what is possible using data to drive change.
This cosy, local engagement model is proven to work and led to a flurry of follow-up sales chats whilst reinforcing those crucial
For us, this teamwork across Districts meant that BlueCrest control of the second-user collaboration responds for environmental responsibility, hardware, and management postal regulations, which country.
Congratulations to Thomas Warby on their cross-border securing this deal.
" We have a fantastic partnership with Qatar Post and have worked diligently to define the best solution to facilitate their transition from manual to automated parcel sortation." - Emerdis
COLLABORATION
geographies, second sorting equipment is on the market and exploring the value equipment. This has been for a while and is set
borders is a crucial element to dynamic for BlueCrest’s example saw a reconditioned Mail Stacker transferred (BridgeTec) to a is often the case, a critical in the sales
across International BlueCrest had second-user channel. Such to market demands responsibility, cheaper management of changing which are different in each
Thomas Rohs and Gary cross-border partnership in
QATAR POST DEPLOYS BLUECREST TECHNOLOGY TO AUTOMATE PARCEL SORTATION
(Internal use only)
Our latest parcel sortation installation has taken place at Qatar Post, where BlueCrest and our international Partner Emerdis, successfully delivered a TrueSort Prime with OCR/BCR/LVE reading capabilities.
This system is a key component of the client's strategy to automate manual processes and leverage data to enhance client services with tracking information, collected via SortEngine 360.
Rigorous specifications and global teamwork Qatar Post have two areas for sorting, one for standard delivery and one for express packages, which tend to be heavier. To refine sorting on these areas they have also installed a OneSort Plus with floor scale to process larger and heavier items, and a OneSort Pro for irregular shaped items, diverting these from the TrueSort Prime and improving overall efficiency.
The installation required a strong team effort as the site was not fully prepared upon arrival and temperatures soaring up to 46°C (114°F), yet our determined crew persevered to complete the task. With invaluable support from Dave Chastain, Steve Varga, and the
entire engineering team, our engineers finished the installation in record time. Special thanks to Eddie Khazzaka, Dave Liddle, Keith Miller, Tri Nguyen, and Allen Simers.
Our local distributor, Emerdis, will continue to provide technical and service support. Rohan Mathur, Managing Director, commented, "We have a fantastic partnership with Qatar Post and have worked diligently to define the best solution to facilitate their transition from manual to automated parcel sortation.
They are particularly excited about exploring the options for collecting and analyzing operational data to enhance customer service."
As part of their evaluation and specification process, Qatar Post visited our recent installation at Oman Post and our booth at the Parcel & PostExpo. Now they join BlueCrest's expanding global community of National Post clients.
Congratulations to Marco Chericoni from our International Partner Channel and Rohan Mathur from Emerdis for negotiating and completing this deal.
Otto Sighting!
This year's Customer Advisory Council featured a client visit with an OttoMate™ Trayer cobot!
Fall Customer Advisory Council Delivers Sunshine and Big Ideas!
by Stephanie Triggiani
Our Fall Customer Advisory Council (CAC) meeting in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at the Sawgrass Marriott was a success! Held in early October, it was the ideal mix of Florida sunshine, engaging discussions, and a little friendly competition on the golf course. We started things off at TPC Sawgrass—yes, where the PLAYERS Championship happens! Our very own SLT and ELT members didn’t exactly conquer the infamous 17th hole, but they had a blast trying. While we missed one member due to Hurricane Helene, the rest of our Advisory Council Team made it, and we had a great turnout. For those unfamiliar with the CAC, it’s a select group of customers who come together to give us honest feedback and help shape the future of BlueCrest. Our members had plenty to share this time around, even presenting their own ideas and topics. One of which around AI integration, automation, and how we can continue to enhance our products and services. Their feedback is invaluable, and it’s always exciting to hear new ideas directly from the people who use our solutions every day.
One of the highlights was visiting our client, Forge, previously HM Document Solutions, in Jacksonville, where we saw our OttoMate™ Trayer cobot in action. Watching it streamline their workflow was inspiring and reminded us just how far we’ve come and automation can take us. Seeing our technology making a real impact on the ground truly never gets old.
All in all, it was a great meeting full of meaningful conversations and fresh perspectives. We’re looking forward to continuing these discussions when we meet again next April in Danbury!
TEAM MEMBER MILESTONES
Third Quarter, 2024
45 years
35 years
Michael Ifkovits
Mats Peterson
Christofer Steger
40 years
Michael Dionne
Patrick Honeywell
Brett Johnston
David Luchetta
David Millar
30 years
Richard Luebben
Renato Mazariegos
Danilo Somarriba
Kurt Steiger
John Young
10 years
Karyn Bridges
15 years
Robert Ryman
Guillaume Vignat
Tony Woodbury
5 years
Kim Andersen
Marie Chery
Chanel Demie
Galo Gamboa Torres
Daniela Gluckert
Richard Green
Miyuki Inaba
Genta Itoh
Piotr Janik
Jacek Kadlof
Every quarter, we like to celebrate the many team members who have reached milestone achievements of 5, 10, 15, 20 years—and beyond! Thank you to each one of you for all that you to do make BlueCrest great.
20 years
Michael Appert-Raullin
Steven Brachulis
Michael Fappiano
Zachary Meyer
David Perron
Christopher Toth
Wade Turner
25 years
David Burke
Edward Cieslewski
Laurent Frereau
William Nessmith
Andrew Nikolatos
Boris Rozenfield
David Torres
Thomas Kugler
Adrian Markiewicz
Sean McQuiggan
George Rollins
Carrie Schwartz
Marcin Szopka
Kayla Volpe
Carlos Cabrera
