During the pre-Christmas period, Swiss Post processed around 18 million parcels. This is about the same as in the previous year. A special effort was made by sorting center and delivery staff. And Swiss Post is supporting the “2 x Christmas” campaign for the twentieth time.

Between 1 and 24 December, Swiss Post employees processed around 18 million parcels. This is roughly the same as the volume in 2015. On peak days in December, over one million parcels a day passed through the systems at the sorting centers in Frauenfeld (TG), Härkingen (SO) and Daillens (VD). On 20 December Swiss Post set a record: the three centers processed almost 1.3 million parcels, which is more than ever before on a single day. Over the past three years, Swiss Post has upgraded its parcel centers with additional high-performance sorting systems, increasing capacity by 25 percent. This work was completed this year with the expansion in Daillens. Thanks to the increase in capacity and the hard work of employees, Swiss Post was able to deliver its Christmas parcels on time.

During the pre-Christmas period, Swiss Post’s mail carriers delivered up to 20 million consignments (letters, promotional mailings and newspapers) on peak days. Despite declining volumes, Swiss Post processed a total of around two billion addressed letters in 2016.

Swiss Post staff show great commitment before and after Christmas

To keep things running smoothly during the Christmas rush, Swiss Post employees undertook additional assignments on several occasions, with all available staff reporting for work and the machines in the letter centers running almost round the clock, including weekends. The mail carriers also delivered parcels on Saturday 24 December 2016, and staff at the three parcel centers reported for work on two Saturdays before Christmas to sort the enormous volume of parcels. Because many customers shop online and return goods to retailers over the festive season, the rush at the parcel centers will also continue beyond Christmas.

20 years of “2 x Christmas”

Swiss Post has been committed to the “2 x Christmas” solidarity campaign for 20 years now, working together with the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) and the broadcaster SRG SSR. Donated goods parcels containing non-perishable food (e.g. pasta, oil or tinned goods), hygiene products and toiletries (e.g. soap or toothpaste), school materials or new shoes for children can still be handed in free of charge at all post offices or agencies until 7 January 2017. With pick@home, the parcel carrier can also collect donated goods parcels from your home or another address. The Swiss Red Cross distributes the goods, with half remaining in Switzerland and half going abroad. This year’s donations will be going particularly to those in need in Belarus, Moldova, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia.

Source: Swiss Post