The number of packages processed by the Swiss PostExternal link office’s three parcel centres has been rising steadily since they opened 20 years ago. During that time, the centres in Härkingen, Daillens and Frauenfeld have handled more than 3.1 billion packages.
On average, 800,000 parcels roll along their conveyor belts per day, Swiss Post announced on MondayExternal link. On peak days during the Christmas season, the figure goes up to 1.4 million. Each year, the numbers rise even higher, which Swiss Post attributes to internet trade.
When the three centres opened on May 31, 1999, Swiss Post invested CHF450 million ($451 million) in new technology and infrastructure to increase automation. Between 2014 and 2016, Swiss Post invested a further CHF60 million in the centres, which increased capacity by 25%.
Three additional centres are now being built in Vétroz, Cadenazzo and Untervaz. These will improve service to French-, Italian- and Romansh-speaking areas by reducing transport times.
According to Swiss Post, the new centres are a response to the parcel boom through globalization and online trade, as well as to the increasing demand for priority parcels. This will cost Swiss Post around CHF190 million by 2020. Additional centres in other regions are also planned.
More
More
Swiss Post handles record volume of Christmas parcels
This content was published on
Swiss Post handled a record 1.4 million parcels a day in the week before Christmas. This can be attributed to the continued growth of online shopping.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
This content was published on
The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
This content was published on
The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
This content was published on
Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
This content was published on
Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
This content was published on
Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Numbers of Swiss online shoppers continue to rise
This content was published on
The level of Swiss consumers shopping online has increased over the past year to almost one in two, a new survey has found.
This content was published on
It's been a tough time for Basel shopkeepers, with many consumers skipping over the border for cheaper products in Germany, and added competition form online suppliers. But retailers are starting to turn things around, with a bit of imagination and diversification. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.