LAFAYETTE, IN — The U.S. Postal Service plans to conduct a study at the Lafayette Processing and Distribution Facility for possible consolidation of some operations into the Indianapolis Processing and Distribution Center. The study, known as an Area Mail Processing (AMP) study, involves a review of the mail processing and transportation operations to determine capacity needs at a facility in order to increase efficiency and improve productivity.

The need for the study comes as the Postal Service faces one of the most difficult challenges in its history. The current economic downturn and continued Internet diversion have led to a drastic decline in mail volume, with the loss of nearly 26 billion pieces in the past year. Mail volume is projected to fall another 11 billion pieces in the coming year. Even when the economy fully recovers, the Postal Service does not expect mail volume to return to previous peak levels, and is projecting annual deficits for the foreseeable future.

“As a result of the volume loss, we have more facilities, equipment and people than we need to process a declining volume of mail,” said Lynn Smith, District Manager for the Greater Indiana District. “We have to reduce the size of our network because we are no longer receiving enough revenue to sustain its cost.”

“One way to do that is to consolidate operations where feasible,” Smith added. “That is why we’re doing this study. Consolidating processing operations and placing our people where we need them makes logical business sense given the economic realities. We’re only doing what any company would do when it’s hit with a 13 percent decline in its business in one year.”

If the feasibility study supports the business case for changing mail processing operations, the Postal Service will hold a public meeting to allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. This input will be considered in the final proposal.

“I want to assure everyone that we will not make any changes to our operations that would cause delays in your mail service,” said Smith.

The Postal Service is soliciting the public’s input as part of the study process. Comments may be submitted to:

Consumer Affairs Manager
3939 Vincennes Road
Indianapolis, IN 46298-9631

source: USPS