INDEPENDENCE, KS – As a result of a study begun March 18, the Postal Service has made the decision to move mail processing operations from the Independence, KS, Customer Service Mail Processing Center to the Wichita, KS, Processing and Distribution Center.

Central Plains District Manager Rick Pivovar said, “Given the drastic 20 percent decline in mail volume the Postal Service has experienced since 2007, we must take action to reduce the size of our mail processing network. Consolidating operations and placing our people where we need them is necessary if the Postal Service is to remain viable to provide mail service to the nation.”

“I understand our employees’ concern over this move,” Pivovar added, “but the consolidation makes sense given the fiscal realities. The Wichita Processing and Distribution Center has the capacity to handle the additional workload and we can realize significant savings by shifting operations there.”

The transition is expected to be completed by October, 2011. Some employees may be reassigned to other vacant positions as a result of the move.

“This move will not cause any changes in local mail delivery,” said Pivovar. “Letters mailed to local addresses will be delivered the next day, the same as before. I am confident the transition will be smooth and transparent to our customers and they will continue to receive the same excellent service they always have.”

There will be no change in service standards for 99 percent of mail. However, as a result of the consolidation, service to ZIP Code area 667 will change from overnight to 2-day, and service to ZIP Code areas 664-666, 668-669, 674-675, and 678 will improve from 2-day to overnight.

“The significant cost savings and productivity gains expected from this consolidation were deciding factors in making this very difficult decision,” said Pivovar.

Full retail services will still be available at the Independence Post Office.

The Independence Business Mail Entry Unit will remain open for deposit of discounted or permit imprint mail. Business mailers will not be required to move or open up new permits at the Wichita Business Mail Entry Unit. There will be no change in the “Sectional Center Facility (SCF) entry rate” for discounted mail (e.g. Standard Mail or Periodicals).  However, mailers electing the destination SCF entry rates for ZIP Code area 673 will deposit their drop shipment mailings at the Wichita Processing and Distribution Center, 7117 W Harry St, Wichita KS 67276-9997.

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