In 1988, the Swedish Post decided to implement radical changes in the transport and distribution of postal shipments within its country. It was decided to implement a completely new system, characterized by modern solutions and the possibility of future expansion.
In the new distribution system, the main focus was placed on ensuring precise control of transported parcels and, to a lesser extent, documents. The business of the Swedish Post involves delivering shipments, which have been divided into three groups: shipments sent by private individuals, businesses, and correspondence sent by companies in the form of advertising leaflets. The scope of the new system’s functions includes a wide range of services, ensuring the distribution of parcels throughout Sweden. The cost of transporting shipments depends on the distance to the destination, weight, and the time in which they are to be delivered. Also, the time taken for individual stages of distribution affects the final cost of the order.
Therefore, the new system offers three types of services:
■ “business” type – with guaranteed “door-to-door” delivery in less than 24 hours,
■ “economy” type – shipments are delivered within 3 consecutive days,
■ “express” type – when the recipient receives the parcel on the same day it was sent.
The distribution system is based on a national network of connections. It consists of two Main Distribution Centers located in Stockholm and Jönköping and 29 local terminals scattered throughout Sweden. Each of these terminals fulfills two roles:
■ in the evening, it acts as a place where shipments from regions are received and prepared for further dispatch. At this stage, it is determined to which of the two Main Distribution Centers they will be directed,
■ in the morning, each terminal acts as a destination station, as a local terminal receiving parcels from both Main Distribution Centers. Local terminals are responsible for completing the delivery to the correct address within their area of operation.