June 4, 2010
Canada Post Corporation achieved a major milestone today in its multi-year program to modernize the Canadian postal system as it formally opened its new state-of-the-art mail processing plant in Winnipeg. Built at a cost of more than $100 million, the facility is the company’s first new mail processing plant in more than 20 years and is a part of an overall investment of $160 million in the city. The new plant is situated on 27 acres of land near the James Armstrong Richardson Airport, replacing the 52-year-old plant in downtown Winnipeg.
The new facility houses a 250,000 square foot mail sorting plant; features 41 dock loading bays; and has 25,000 square feet of office space. When fully operational, the plant will employ 400 people from the region in well-paying, quality jobs.
In addition to housing state-of-the-art technology, the new processing facility is the company’s first plant to be registered a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building. It has been designed with special considerations for employees’ health and safety.
The new Winnipeg plant was built as part of Canada Post’s “Postal Transformation” initiative, a multi-year plan to invest $2 billion in new infrastructure, equipment and technology to modernize Canada Post’s operations. The plan, once fully implemented in 2017, will result in enhanced service for Canadians, a better, more efficient and productive postal service and substantial annual cost savings of approximately $250 million per year compared to present levels.
“This mail processing plant is a critical first step to building the Modern Post,” says Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport) and minister responsible for Canada Post. “The Government of Canada is extremely proud of Canada Post’s continued efforts to strengthen the postal system for people in every part of this country. This new plant is an example of this foresight and vision.”
“This plant is the cornerstone of Canada Post’s overall plan to strengthen its role as a leading transportation and logistics company in Canada,” says Moya Greene, president and chief executive officer for Canada Post. “The Winnipeg plant is a world-class postal facility that will serve as a model for other parts of the overall operation.”
Following approval by Canada Post’s Board of Directors in October 2007, the “Postal Transformation” program was implemented and Winnipeg was chosen as the first location for a new state-of-the-art mail processing plant. The design and construction of the Winnipeg plant, like other elements of the Postal Transformation program, were influenced by modernization efforts undertaken by other postal services around the world.
Through Postal Transformation, Canada Post is investing in equipment, vehicles, and computer systems in numerous cities across Canada. This investment includes new generation mail-processing equipment and systems, new ergonomic fuel-efficient vehicles for our delivery employees, and newly designed carts and containers for moving the mail safely through facilities.
About Canada Post
With 71,000 employees and more than 6,500 post offices, The Canada Post Group – including affiliates Purolator Courier and SCI Group, as well as Innovapost (a joint venture with CGI), maintains the largest retail and transportation network in the country. Canada Post delivered close to 11 billion pieces in 2009 to 15 million addresses across Canada, posting $7.3 billion in revenue. Canada Post provides innovative physical and electronic delivery solutions, creating value for our customers, employees and Canadians. Canada Post has been chosen as one of Canada’s Top 100 employers by Mediacorp for the past four years and in 2009 was named “Most Iconic Brand in Canada” by Brand Finance Canada. Website: canadapost.ca.
Canada Post Historic Timeline
1851 – The Province of Canada is given responsibility for the post office from the British Post Office.
1859 – Parcel postal service is introduced in Canada.
1885 – The Canadian Pacific Railway is completed. Daily mail car service begins between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – spanning nearly 6,000 kilometres.
1918 – The first official airmail flight in Canada is flown between Toronto and Montreal.
1929 – The world’s most northern airmail service is implemented between Fort McMurray, Alberta and Aklavik, Northwest Territories.
1963 – Equipment that automatically segregates, stacks and cancels mail is installed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The installation is the first of its kind in North America.
1971 - The present postal code system is introduced as a pilot project in Ottawa.
1974 – Implementation of the postal code system is completed nationwide.
1981 – The Government of Canada approves Bill C-42. Canada Post becomes a Crown Corporation.
1985 – To better coordinate and control operations, Canada Post opens the National Control Centre, the most sophisticated mail monitoring system in the world.
1993 - Xpresspost is launched to provide service that’s faster than regular mail and cheaper than courier.
1993 – Canada Post purchases controlling interests in Purolator Courier Ltd, the country’s largest courier company.
1999 – Canada Post creates epost, the world’s first Internet-based secure mailbox, allowing consumers and businesses to send and receive mail, pay bills, and access information online.
2000 – Canada Post’s “Sell Online” feature allows businesses to create their own web site with no experience necessary. The “Go Shopping” site and “Flexible Delivery” options are offered to consumers.
2001 – Canada Post celebrates its 150th anniversary.
2002 – Canada Post acquires a majority interest in Progistix-Solutions in order to better serve customers with logistics and supply chain management issues.
2002 – The Online Business Centre is launched, allowing businesses to conduct some transactions online.
2006 – Canada Post introduces the “permanent stamp.” Identified by the letter “P,” the stamp is always accepted at the current rate of postage – eliminating the need to purchase one cent stamps when postage rates increase.
2007 – The Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health is established to raise awareness of mental illness.
2007 – Canada Post is named one of “Canada’s Top 100 Employers” in an independent study published by Maclean’s magazine – a distinction which it continues to hold.
2009 – Canada Post is named the country’s “Most Iconic Brand” in an independent survey by Brand Finance Canada.
2010 – Canada Post opens a new state-of-the-art mail processing plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba – the first new mail processing plant in Canada in more than 20 years.
Facts and Stats
- The new Winnipeg mail processing plant, built at a cost of more than $100 million, is part of a multi-year plan to invest $2 billion in modernizing Canada’s postal network.
- The modernization plan will result in enhanced service for Canadians, a better, more efficient and productive postal service and generate annual cost savings of approximately $250 million per year compared to present levels
- Situated on 27 acres of land, the 250,000 square foot Winnipeg mail plant features 41 dock loading bays and 25,000 square feet of office space.
- When fully operational, the new Winnipeg plant will employ 400 people from the region in well-paying, quality jobs.
- The plant has been strategically located next to the James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and major truck routes to take advantage of transportation networks.
- The new facility is the first mail processing plant in Canada that is a registered Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building.
- The plant features water-saving plumbing devices and a ventilation system that maximizes the supply of fresh air to occupants.
- Industrial adhesives and paints used in the construction of the new plant meet “Green Seal” standards in terms of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
- Landscaping around the plant consists of plants indigenous to Manitoba – including the preservation of rare Big Bluestem Prairie Tall Grass discovered and salvaged during the facility’s construction.
- The new facility also contains ergonomic equipment that requires less bending and turning on the part of employees – which in turn promotes better health and safety.
- Employees working in the facility will have access to an onsite cafeteria, patio, wellness centre, locker rooms and showers.
- The last mail processing plant in Winnipeg was opened downtown in 1958. At that time, it was considered one of Canada’s most technologically advanced postal operations, with electronic letter sorters.
