USPS Announces Facility Closures for 2012
As reported in earlier e-Tips, the United States Postal Service®
(
USPS®) announced the
facility
closures, which are currently underway and will
continue through 2014. The
USPS previously proposed closing a large number of
processing facilities in an effort to cut costs and optimize their processing
network to more closely align with the decreased volumes of mail.
Network facility changes
Over the next 2 - 3 years, the Postal Service plans to close a total of 229
locations. The first phase already began this month and involves the 48
facilities listed below. The
USPS plans to halt closures during the busy mailing
season of September through December 2012, but will resume them in January 2013
for an additional 92 locations. The second phase of the project will take place
in January 2014 for an additional 89 facilities, unless circumstances change in
the interim.
The List
A more
detailed version of this listing in Excel format is available from the
Ribbs web site.
What it means for mailers
So, what does all this mean for
mailers? Now that the closures are underway,
mailers will need to make sure their mailing software solutions – both presort
and post-presort - are updated with the most recent postal destination data
updates. This includes Labeling Lists, destination drop ship data files
(including re-directions), etc.
Mailers will also need to pay close attention to
the changes in the
USPS
service standards
and monitor mail delivery so that any necessary adjustments can be made to
mailing schedules. On the dedicated web site, the
USPS provides a
fact sheet, a
facilities list, and a
copy of the USPS network realignment presentation. Stay tuned for further
updates as this initiative progresses.
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