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Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

A forum for our Mail Centre, Processing and Distribution colleagues.
Lockardian
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Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by Lockardian »

Our Mail Centre has had two IMPs for as long as I can remember, but the only time the second IMP was used was at Christmas. Normally everything was run on IMP1 - first class on back shift, locals overnight, and second class the following day shift.

Anyway the second IMP has now been removed.

I’ve seen larger mail centres with as many as 6 IMPs which surely aren’t all used together. I wonder if the plan is to decommission or remove IMPs across the country?
N|M
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by N|M »

So happens our mail center had its 2nd imp removed which like yourself was really only used during xmas or when imp1 broke down ... now they dont / wont have that option.

From what i heard the imp was just scraped / recycled - guess with letter volume down it makes sense to start getting rid of some of them.
SpacePhoenix
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by SpacePhoenix »

We've had an iLSM removed, so if our remaining one breaks down, there's no plan B. It also removes an option if the CSSs get hit with bulk postings
2chorizon
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by 2chorizon »

Got 2 IMP’s left from 5

Got one ILSM

The plan is to remove one more IMP and install a second ILSM

Second PSM install has been scrapped, i heard they are trying to get out of their contract with Solystic on purchasing the remaining PSM’s on order as they think they are having too many breakdowns.
SpacePhoenix
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by SpacePhoenix »

2chorizon wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 18:56
Second PSM install has been scrapped, i heard they are trying to get out of their contract with Solystic on purchasing the remaining PSM’s on order as they think they are having too many breakdowns.
Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
aiden01
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by aiden01 »

SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21
2chorizon wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 18:56
Second PSM install has been scrapped, i heard they are trying to get out of their contract with Solystic on purchasing the remaining PSM’s on order as they think they are having too many breakdowns.
Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
Who cares really.. if they fail they fail.
Lockardian
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by Lockardian »

SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21
2chorizon wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 18:56
Second PSM install has been scrapped, i heard they are trying to get out of their contract with Solystic on purchasing the remaining PSM’s on order as they think they are having too many breakdowns.
Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
Unless the plan going forward is for the NWH and other parcel hubs to sort more items to DO level.
seesred
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by seesred »

We were reduced from 6 IMPs to 4, and then 2 PSMs installed. Letter volumes may be declining, but the number of parcels being sorted has not increased. Large, and continuing staff cuts though. Hard to say what the overall strategy will be. Possibly to operate as a combined MC/DO for work coming in from the superhubs.
SpacePhoenix
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by SpacePhoenix »

Lockardian wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 23:34
SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21
2chorizon wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 18:56
Second PSM install has been scrapped, i heard they are trying to get out of their contract with Solystic on purchasing the remaining PSM’s on order as they think they are having too many breakdowns.
Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
Unless the plan going forward is for the NWH and other parcel hubs to sort more items to DO level.
Physically impossible for the superhubs to sort to DO level without some DOs getting their work MUCH LATER. The machines don't have enough selections available. If they were to carry on with their parcel strategy I'd expect then to ramp up the installation of PSMs in MCs and look at getting packets walk sorted to reduce the indoor time in DOs
clashcityrocker
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by clashcityrocker »

SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21


Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
The parcel strategy involves approx 340 parcel hubs.
There doesn't need to be a final breakdown to DO level.
The societies of consumption and squandering of material resources are incompatible with the idea of economic growth and a clean planet.
SpacePhoenix
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by SpacePhoenix »

clashcityrocker wrote:
16 Apr 2023, 07:50
SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21


Wonder if RM are about to throw out their parcel strategy, the superhubs aren't much good without PSMs in MCs to do the final breakdown to DO level
The parcel strategy involves approx 340 parcel hubs.
There doesn't need to be a final breakdown to DO level.
Can't see it working in any of the 340 parcel hubs as most if not all of them will already be f****d for staffing and will likely have the staff who should be doing the work of the parcel hubs on normal walks
clashcityrocker
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by clashcityrocker »

SpacePhoenix wrote:
16 Apr 2023, 10:14

Can't see it working in any of the 340 parcel hubs as most if not all of them will already be f****d for staffing and will likely have the staff who should be doing the work of the parcel hubs on normal walks
But then you don't work in any of the 340 parcel hubs do you.
None of our parcel drivers is ever put on "normal walks".
The societies of consumption and squandering of material resources are incompatible with the idea of economic growth and a clean planet.
ted_e_bear
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by ted_e_bear »

SpacePhoenix wrote:
15 Apr 2023, 21:21
Can't see it working in any of the 340 parcel hubs as most if not all of them will already be f****d for staffing and will likely have the staff who should be doing the work of the parcel hubs on normal walks
[/quote]

It's rather unlikely that RM would divert staff from delivering parcels and send them off delivering mail instead.
Lockardian
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by Lockardian »

I assume these parcel hubs are mainly larger DOs and/or LAT offices so they also deliver letters from there?

As well as a few direct sleeves, we get parcels from the NWH sorted to “hub” level, which then have to be sorted/segged because our “hubs” aren’t currently operating as hubs (except on Sundays).
SpacePhoenix
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Re: Machines being decommissioned/removed from Mail Centres

Post by SpacePhoenix »

Lockardian wrote:
17 Apr 2023, 08:09
As well as a few direct sleeves, we get parcels from the NWH sorted to “hub” level, which then have to be sorted/segged because our “hubs” aren’t currently operating as hubs (except on Sundays).
Locally the direct sleeves have just about fizzled out and our "hubs" stopped operating as hubs ages ago. We have to scan every Tracked item that arrives from the NWH.

I wonder what the plan is if a SD makes it into a sleeve or onto a york for a hub and it's proper to another office. At one time getting SDs mixed in with Tracked/normal was very rare, now it happens more and more. we even now get Tracked in our mech work