Swiss Post has been sorting parcels in Pratteln (BL) since 24 February 2023. Operations at the new regional parcel center have been ramped up in recent weeks. Swiss Post officially opened its center on Güterstrasse today. The machines are already running smoothly and can sort up to 10,000 parcels an hour and up to 160,000 parcels a day. Swiss Post has invested around 75 million francs in converting the former tyre factory, and has tailored the building to its own purposes and equipped it with state-of-the-art technology. By doing so, Swiss Post is securing existing jobs and creating around 50 new jobs in the municipality. “The new parcel center is good news for Pratteln and the entire Canton of Basel-Landschaft,” says a delighted Cantonal Councillor Thomas Weber. ”It underlines Swiss Post’s commitment to the region and creates value beyond it,” said the Head of the Department of Economic Affairs and Health at the opening ceremony. “Thanks to the new location, we can process parcels from the Basel area more regionally and sustainably for the benefit of our customers,” explains Swiss Post’s Head of Logistics Services, Johannes Cramer. The location of the premises in the industrial district is also ideal because of its proximity to the motorway. The residents of Pratteln are not affected in any way by the access roads.

Considerable expertise pooled under one roof

Pratteln is an ideal location for Swiss Post because of its proximity to the border – especially for imported consignments from Germany and France. Cross-border goods traffic has been increasing for years, as has the need for national and international logistics services for companies. For this reason, customs clearance is situated on the 30,000 square metre premises, in addition to the sorting system, delivery and transport units. The returns processing unit is also expected to move to Pratteln in June 2023, where around 350 Swiss Post staff will work under one roof in future. “Our business customers expect comprehensive one-stop logistics solutions from Swiss Post – from acceptance to transport, and sorting and customs clearance to delivery. In Pratteln, we’re pooling considerable expertise in one place and strengthening our position as a reliable, leading logistics partner in the Northwestern Switzerland economic region,” underlines Johannes Cramer.

Parcel volumes expected to rise over the long term – Swiss Post continues to expand infrastructure

The Pratteln regional parcel center is the first of a total of three sorting centers that Swiss Post will put into operation in 2023. In June, the Wallisellen (ZH) regional parcel center will be added to Swiss Post’s logistics network. In September, this will be followed by the opening of another regional parcel center in Härkingen (SO), where Swiss Post will integrate parcel processing into an existing letter center for the first time. Although Swiss Post processed fewer parcels in 2022 than in the previous year due to delivery bottlenecks, low consumer confidence and the lifting of coronavirus measures, it expects parcel volumes to increase in the long term. Current volumes, for example, are significantly higher than they were in 2019 prior to the pandemic.

By 2030, Swiss Post plans to operate a maximum of 15 parcel sorting centers. Outlining Swiss Post’s ambition, Johannes Cramer, Head of Logistics Services, says: “Even if we see a decline in parcel volumes in the short term, we want to continue to reliably meet the needs of people and businesses in Switzerland. That’s why we’re investing in our infrastructure, belt conveyors and state-of-the-art technology as well as in our staff and modern workplaces such as here in Pratteln.”

Information

Erich Goetschi, Swiss Post Media Unit, 058 341 00 00, presse@swisspost.ch