The United States Postal Service (USPS) has initiated significant changes at its Avondale, Arizona facility to address potential delivery delays during the busy holiday season. In a move aimed at enhancing efficiency, USPS has introduced advanced technology to expedite the processing of festive mail, particularly as customer demand surges.
Sherry Patterson, a spokesperson for USPS, emphasized the importance of timely deliveries during this period, stating, “It’s the holiday season! It’s the time where people are shopping and getting ready for the holiday.” The new machine deployed at the packaging hub is a substantial upgrade, boasting a size of 160,000 square feet, which is roughly equivalent to three football fields. This enhancement increases USPS’s capacity from 60 million packages to an impressive 88 million packages nationwide.
In addition to technological advancements, USPS has strategically increased its workforce to handle the anticipated influx of mail. The agency has hired 14,000 seasonal workers to complement its existing staff of 232,000 employees. Furthermore, 24,000 new delivery vehicles are now on the roads to ensure efficient distribution during peak shipping periods. Patterson remarked, “We have definitely prepared for the holiday rush.”
As USPS gears up for the season, it also highlights the role customers play in ensuring timely deliveries. The Postal Service has announced three critical shipping dates that customers must adhere to in order to guarantee their mail arrives before December 25. This proactive communication mirrors similar efforts from other shipping companies, including FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS), which have also outlined their Christmas shipping deadlines.
Compounding this busy period, USPS will implement a rare 24-hour shutdown of all post offices across the United States. This temporary suspension is part of the agency’s efforts to streamline operations during the holiday rush.
As the festive season approaches, USPS is determined to maintain its long-standing tradition of connecting friends and families. With enhanced capacity and a dedicated workforce, the Postal Service aims to ensure that everyone can enjoy a timely delivery this Christmas.
