More USPS Changes to Come
September 28th, 2011In August 2011, the USPS announced major changes to the USPS network infrastructure and current service standards. These changes are necessary for the USPS to survive under its current financial burden. These changes seem dramatic and it leaves many customers wondering “How will this affect me?”
The USPS has 3 major goals in mind while making these announcements; reducing costs, develop an operating plan to optimize use of equipment and facilities, and make the USPS a stronger organization for future growth. These goals have caused the USPS to recommend major changes.
The USPS has proposed the elimination of overnight first class mail, narrow the two-day delivery range and enlarge the three-day delivery range on all First Class Mail.
The USPS has also proposed a network optimization, which will reduce their network of processing centers from 500 to less than 200. In Wisconsin; Wausau, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Portage, La Cross, and Kenosha have all been affected by these changes and it is proposed that the Milwaukee, Green Bay and Madison centers will absorb the work load. Please see http://about.usps.com/news/facility-studies/welcome.htm for complete details.
United Mailing Services understands that major steps must be taken by the USPS so they can pull themselves out of this downward spiral. However these proposed major changes and announcements have caused a wide spread panic within the mailing industry, and with just cause. The management teams of United Mailing Services participate on many different national committees and are keeping a very close eye on the pulse of this situation. The USPS continues to work with the private industry via these committees to make the changes seamless to customers. As an example of that process, many people are unaware that the USPS has closed over 200 PNDCs over the last 6 years.
Though closure of brick and mortar post offices does not affect the business mailer as much, it will affect the average consumer. The USPS has proposed to close 3,600 more brick and mortar post offices while hoping to establish more rental partners and open more kiosks.
At this time the USPS proposals have been published in the latest Federal Register and are awaiting comments from the mailing industry. United Mailing Services encourages all of our customers to partake in the comment period. Whether your opinions are positive or negative, the USPS needs our feedback, and we need a strong USPS.
United Mailing Services has the full intention of continuing to service all of our customers as we do today. We continue to have meetings with local, regional and national USPS representation to discuss these latest USPS changes. As throughout our history, we have continued to be the leading mail service provider in Wisconsin by making these USPS changes appear seamless to our customers. We are hard at work making strategic plans based on what we know today, and forecasting what could be potential outcomes in the future. Though the hurdles we see this time may be a bit higher, our goals remain the same. United Mailing Service will continue to be there for you and remain your business partner in the mailing industry, and as always we will continue “Helping You Save More on Mailing!”