For the first time since 2020, National Postal Forum 2022 kicked off with all the pomp and circumstance of days past. A rousing performance by a traditional Native American ring dancing champion, the National Anthem sung by a Grammy Award winning boys’ choir and a keynote address by current United States Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy. But, what of the pending USPS Organizational Changes?

National Postal Forum 2022 kicked off with all the pomp and circumstance of days past.

PMG DeJoy’s address focused upon 10-year ‘Delivery for America’ plan currently underway to transform the USPS and its service. Topics included the goal of becoming financially self-sustaining, restructuring the organization leadership from the ground up, and investments into the USPS infrastructure. His plan is designed to provide the American people with reliable and quality service they expect. DeJoy shared that the plan is designed to put the USPS on a path to grow and adapt to the changing marketplace and remain viable for now and the future.

DeJoy shared that the plan is designed to put the USPS on a path to grow and adapt to the changing marketplace and remain viable for now and the future.

Throughout the  conference, various workshops were offered concerning a variety of subjects such as Package Tracking, Mitigating the Great Resignation and the Utilization of Data Science to Grow your Business among other topics related to USPS services and management.  Class were facilitated by USPS leadership and industry experts.

I attended workshops hosted by USPS Executive Leaders that focused upon the changes within the USPS if greater detail. The USPS Executive Leaders addressed the changes that had been necessary for years, the factors related to the significant “peak” delivery delays of 2020, and the outdated thought processes that governed the USPS was quite eye opening. The group acknowledged failures and talked through what has been done and is currently being done to mitigate those issues. They discussed “peak” periods of 2021 and how changes made impacted services resulting in an impressive 20 point increase in on time delivery with only minimal delays in certain regions.

The group acknowledged failures and talked through what has been done and is currently being done to mitigate those issues

Much has been accomplished through organizational changes: a simplification of who does what and who is responsible. Reducing Postal Service Districts from 67 to 50, to align to more efficiently serve the needs of assigned areas.

Goals for implementation of sorting infrastructure changes:

• maximizing equipment capacity
• reducing excessive facilities expenses
• increasing vehicle capacity
• eliminating transportation redundancies

The sorting infrastructure is being realigned to provide standard processing expectations designed to process all mail types. These changes provide an opportunity to make decisions to increase productivity across facilities quickly at the National level. These changes will eliminate special processing due to lack of functionality at a specific location. Full utilization of transport vehicle spacing, and reduction of sorting facilities means cost savings and increased speed.

Addressing ignored issues related to aging and inefficient facilities was discussed in regards to the 10 year plan. The USPS plans to invest over $40 Billion in infrastructure. They will eliminate buildings that serve are no longer viable, getting rid of leases and/or selling buildings. Refurbishing and updating buildings that meet the requirements of the standardization they are seeking at each sorting facility is the priority.

Full utilization of transport vehicle spacing, and reduction of sorting facilities means cost savings and increased speed.

Higher levels of accountability are being achieved through daily, weekly and monthly scorecards.  Performance against delivery standards are monitored constantly and adjustments are made as necessary. The USPS faces the same challenges each of us are in our own organizations. They are working on ways to transform employee turnover and streamline hiring processes, increasing employee satisfaction, and changing the quality of the workplace.

Changes discussed will occur over the 10 year period. Changes will bring both comfort and discomfort. Price changes will occur more often to keep up with the times and changing environments and the changes in the type of mail being sent. All initiatives are designed to achieve financial security and eliminate deficits through process improvement, reduced spending and ensure the continued existence of service guaranteed to US citizens by the government.

All initiatives are designed to achieve financial security and eliminate deficits….

I walked away from the conference with a new outlook on the USPS, a renewed enthusiasm. For the first time in years, I can see action being taken to right a ship that has chronically been taking on water. I see a corner being turned and a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. I know it will not be fully realized immediately, or even in the next two or three years. I have hope, and can envision a viable and more efficient USPS.

As always, we will monitor changes in the USPS, pricing, challenges, and failures and determine how that is going to affect our businesses and our clients. OMG will keep a vigilant watch and keep you informed. Rest easy that we have your back!