ComReg Monitor Shows Postal Quality Improvement

4 September 2008

“Customers are now seeing the benefits of our national quality improvement programmes,” explained Donal Connell, An Post Chief Executive.  

“Under this ongoing programme we’re improving the quality and reliability of mail collection and delivery services.   With the cooperation of our staff and their union, the CWU, we’re implementing a major national Change programme redesigning how mail is collected and organised for local delivery across the country.  We’re also using the latest technology to verify all mail collection times. This enables better planning and capacity optimisation in our four processing plants, which in turn helps to get that mail through the system and back on the road for next-day delivery,” he said.

“ComReg’s confirmation of quality improvement is most welcome, particularly for the staff working directly in mails services, and An Post is determined to drive continued quality improvement for all types of mail,” Mr Connell added.

The particular type of mail checked by ComReg’s monitor accounts for 33 per cent of all mail handled, but doesn’t include large mailings posted by business customers, a  segment which accounts for almost 45 per cent of An Post’s daily volumes.  Registered and international mail makes up the balance.  Ongoing quality monitoring by the International Postal Corporation (IPC) continues to show An Post reaching or exceeding the targets laid down for handling incoming and outgoing international mail.

An Post recently upgraded and refurbished the information panels on almost 5,000  postboxes nationwide, making the latest time of posting – to achieve next-day delivery - more clearly visible.  The company is also working directly with business customers to help them get the most from their mail service by improving the quality of addressing and general mail presentation. Addresses should be clearly printed and positioned in the centre of the envelope, without punctuation.