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State-of-the-art technology and extensive logistics know-how under one roof: With the new regional parcel center in Pratteln (BL), the Post is getting closer to households and businesses in the greater Basel area. It sorts up to 10,000 parcels per hour at the new center, allowing for more regional processing and environmentally friendly delivery. With the opening of this location today, the Post is creating around 50 additional jobs in the community and is clearly committed to the economic location of Northwestern Switzerland.
(Bern/Pratteln) At the Swiss Post in Pratteln, up to 350 employees will soon bundle a lot of logistics expertise under one roof. Since February 24, 2023, the Post has been sorting parcels in Pratteln (BL). The operation of the new regional parcel center has been ramped up in recent weeks. Today, the Post officially put the center on Güterstrasse into operation. The machines are already running around the clock and can sort up to 10,000 parcels per hour and up to 160,000 parcels per day. The Post has invested around 75 million Swiss francs in the renovation of the former tire factory, customizing the building for its purposes and equipping it with state-of-the-art technology. This secures existing jobs and creates around 50 new positions in the community. “For Pratteln and the entire canton of Basel-Landschaft, the new parcel center is good news,” says government councilor Thomas Weber. “It underscores the Post’s commitment to the region and creates added value beyond that,” says the head of the Department of Economic Affairs and Health at the opening. Johannes Cramer, head of logistics services at the Post, emphasizes: “Thanks to the new location, we can process parcels from the Basel area more regionally and sustainably – our customers benefit from this.” Additionally, the location in the industrial district is ideally situated due to its proximity to the highway. The residents of Pratteln are not affected by the access and exit routes.
Logistics Solutions Under One Roof
The Pratteln location is also ideal for the Post due to its proximity to the border – particularly for import shipments from Germany and France. Cross-border goods traffic has been increasing for years, along with the demand from companies for international and national logistics services. Therefore, in addition to the sorting facility, delivery, and transport planning, customs clearance will also be accommodated on the approximately 30,000 square meters. The returns processing is expected to move to Pratteln in June 2023, where around 350 Post employees will work under one roof in the future. Johannes Cramer is convinced: “Our business customers expect comprehensive logistics solutions from the Post – from acceptance to transport, sorting, and customs clearance to delivery. In Pratteln, we are bundling a lot of know-how in one place and strengthening our position as a reliable and leading logistics partner in the Northwestern Switzerland economic area.”
Parcel Volumes Continue to Rise Long-term
The regional parcel center in Pratteln is the first of a total of three parcel sorting centers that the Post will put into operation in 2023. In June, the regional parcel center in Wallisellen (ZH) will connect to the Post’s logistics network. In September, another regional parcel center will open in Härkingen (SO), where the Post will integrate parcel processing into an existing mail center for the first time. Although the Post processed fewer parcels in 2022 due to supply bottlenecks, a depressed consumer mood, and the lifting of COVID-19 measures compared to the previous year, it expects a long-term increase in parcel volumes. For instance, the current volume is significantly higher than in the pre-COVID year 2019.
15 Locations for Parcel Sorting
By 2030, the Post plans to operate a maximum of 15 locations for parcel sorting. Johannes Cramer, head of logistics services, emphasizes the Post’s ambition: “Even if we see a short-term decline in parcel volumes: We want to reliably meet the needs of people and businesses in Switzerland in the future. That’s why we are investing in our infrastructure, in conveyor belts, in state-of-the-art technology, as well as in our employees and modern workplaces – just like here in Pratteln.”
Photos: © Swiss Post
