This regional parcel center enables Swiss Post to invest in the Canton of Valais and demonstrates its commitment to the country’s peripheral regions. Two further parcel centers are planned for Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden), which will allow parcels to be processed directly within the region. This will shorten transport times and ensure that parcels from other centers are processed more quickly.

In May 2020, Swiss Post will start operations at the second of the three new regional parcel centers: the Botza site in Vétroz, covering 25,000 m2. The general contractor is Roux Courtage Immobilier Sàrl. Vétroz was chosen as the location due to its central position in the Canton of Valais and good motorway access. An additional advantage of this site is that it is located on an industrial estate without any residential zones nearby. The facility will have a sorting capacity of 8,000 parcels per hour. The logistics centers in Bex, Brig, Siders and Sion will be merged into this single center, with staff from these facilities transferring to the new site.

Shorter distances – faster consignment processing

Vétroz is one of three decentralized locations envisaged for completion by 2020. The new regional parcel centers will be linked by a direct transport network. This means that parcels sorted and delivered in Valais will no longer need to take a detour via Daillens (Vaud). “This investment of over CHF 50 million is highly significant,” says Ulrich Hurni, CEO of Swiss Post. “The direct transport network will relieve strain not only on existing parcel centers, but also on the transport infrastructure throughout Switzerland. Vétroz will be linked to existing infrastructure via direct connections. This will enhance the quality of service experienced by our business customers by allowing longer posting times.” For Valais Cantonal Councillor Christophe Darbellay, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs and Education, the merger of logistics locations in Vétroz satisfies the growing demands on efficiency due to the rapid increase in parcel volumes: “This investment in a new sorting center will enhance the quality
f public services in our canton.”

Swiss Post as the driving power behind innovation in the Swiss parcels market

Swiss Post recognized the potential of online retail many years ago and adapted its logistics business with this in mind. It has continually expanded its range of parcel services over the past few years by advancing innovations in the Swiss parcels market. Last year, Swiss Post processed almost 130 million parcels, which represents growth of 6.2% year-on-year. The construction of new regional parcel centers in Vétroz, Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden) by 2020 is an important step in meeting growing parcel volumes and customer requirements, now and in the years to come. Swiss Post also plans to open further parcel centers in other regions, but the number and location of the new centers have not yet been finalized.

Source: Swiss Post