On May 1, the USPS announced a slower delivery standard for small packages. The adjustment will affect approximately 32% of first-class package delivery. This announcement is part of a 10-year reform plan by the USPS to shore up their financial health and make their operations tenable for the years to come. The adjustment will add one or two days to some small parcel delivery time. They’ll do so, in part, by shifting some package processing from air to more affordable ground.
This comes on the heels of the implementation of slower delivery times for approximately 40% of first-class mail back in October 2021. These are moves that are critical to the long-term health of the USPS. As a result of these, and other operational adjustments, they are reporting improved financial stability. For organizations that process parcels and/or mail, however, slower delivery can translate to dissatisfied customers.
Although these changes are inevitable, there are ways that you can militate against them. Today’s consumers demand not only fast, but extremely fast shipping. One of the most effective ways to increase the speed of order processing, while also reducing postage and labor costs, is through automation. Automation can increase capacity, throughput, and reliability in processing, thereby reducing the risk that delivery times are longer due to the time it takes to ship your mail and parcels out of your facility.
Those that are new to automation will realize a major boost in productivity. And those that are already using sortation systems may be candidates for upgraded technology that will improve an already efficient setup or provide the ability to handle additional volume. Reach out to ID Parcel & Mail Solutions to discuss your automation needs.
