Processing of tomorrow
Breaking new ground in parcel processing
In 2022, Swiss Post opened two new regional parcel centers in record time: one in Rümlang (Canton of Zurich) and one in Buchs (Canton of Aargau). Thanks to the new centers, parcel processing is now faster and more environmentally friendly. To cope with the growing volumes, Swiss Post will also increase its sorting capacities at other locations in Switzerland by 2030.
Since May 2022, the sorting machines at the new regional parcel center (RPC) in Rümlang have been running at full steam, with around 5,000 parcels an hour whizzing along its conveyor belts and chutes. Every day in Rümlang, around 60,000 items are sorted by weight and delivery address and prepared for delivery in the greater Zurich North area. To make this possible, Swiss Post converted a logistics building in an industrial area in just 14 months, creating 60 new jobs. “By expanding our logistics network and opening new RPCs, we are moving closer to our customers. We’re reducing transport distances and making parcel processing faster and more environmentally friendly,” says Stefan Nolte, Head of Logistics Services Operations, explaining the importance of new parcel centers.
Innovative technologies
In Buchs, the planning and construction work for the new RPC also progressed very well, despite the difficult conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the global disruptions to supply chains. Since last July, 175 staff in sorting and delivery at the center have been processing parcels for the region. Swiss Post invested 15 million francs in the conversion of a vacant warehouse – including charging stations for electric vehicles at every gate. Because the space available was a little small for a parcel center, creative solutions were required. So Swiss Post turned to innovative technologies: in a matter of seconds, the parcels are transported to a sorting machine at a height of three metres by space-saving, spiral conveyor belts.
Committed staff
“Investment in state-of-the-art technology will allow us to continue meeting our customers’ requirements in the future,” says Stefan Nolte. “Customers want to order online today and receive their goods tomorrow. So we have to be able to process more and more parcels faster and faster.” But the heart of any parcel center is still the staff that work there, who make sure that the sorting machines are running smoothly, that they continue to be fed with parcels and that the parcels are then delivered to doorsteps and businesses in the surrounding area as quickly as possible. Around one in every 35 employees in Buchs now works for Swiss Post. And there are more to come: in 2023, around 100 people working in letter delivery in Aarau will be moving from their current location to the RPC in Buchs. With this move, Swiss Post is creating a logistics center with letter and parcel delivery that meets the latest standards.
Through regional parcel processing, we take the strain off our large processing centers at peak times and reduce distances, protecting the environment.
Investment in the public service
By 2030, Swiss Post’s logistics network is expected to consist of around 15 parcel sorting locations in addition to the letter sorting locations. Swiss Post will invest some 1.5 billion francs in this expansion by 2030, guaranteeing a needs-based, high-quality public service for the general public and companies in Switzerland, and at the same time securing and creating 1,500 full-time equivalent positions in parcel services. Planning for the opening of further centers near the conurbations of Basel, Bern and Zurich is already in full swing.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
Surcharges on parcel prices for major customers
In 2022, increased energy prices, fuel prices and inflation in general led to high additional costs in parcel logistics. Swiss Post bore the brunt of these additional costs itself. From 2023, it will pass on some of the costs with the introduction of moderate price adjustments. Around 3,500 major customers with individually agreed prices are affected. An inflation surcharge of 1.9 percent of the parcel price will be charged. This will be supplemented with a variable energy surcharge based on the monthly average price of diesel, petrol and electricity.