The Perfect Bundle Improving Bundle Preparation “A secure bundle with a fully visible address is a thing of beauty.” Presented by: (insert name here)

2 Agenda What is a bundle? Why “The Perfect Bundle”? What should you know about “The Perfect Bundle”? How can you ensure bundles are prepared securely? Feedback and resolution Postal activities

3 What Is A Bundle? Bundle – Group of presorted pieces Processing bundles Multi-step process Bundle breakage may occur during Transit Container processing Unloading sacks or pallets Non-readable address Manual processing

4 Why “The Perfect Bundle”? Get mail to delivery point in good condition Control costs Prevent loss of presort discounts Prevent damage to mail Pieces Loose in Processing

5 What Is APPS? Automated Package Processing System (APPS) Automated equipment for sorting parcels and bundles Organizes bundles into single file Requires visible/readable address on top piece Reads address or barcode and optional endorsement line or bundle presort label on top piece of bundle

6 What Should I Know About The Perfect Bundle? Bundle Preparation Standards* Must be able to withstand transit and handling Use banding, shrinkwrap or both Banding – plastic, string/twine, rubber bands Double banding around girth and length Sufficient tension on banding to depress edges Loose banding not allowed String/twine must have secure knots NO wire/metal banding Strap Too Loose *DMM 345, 365, 375, 385, 705, 707

7 Bundle Preparation Standards* Maximum bundle weight 20 pounds Counter-stack pieces of irregular thickness All bundles – Minimum of 2 bands, shrinkwrap, OR shrinkwrap & one or two bands Address visible on top piece of bundle Shrink-Wrap Wrinkles Obscures Address What Should I Know About The Perfect Bundle? *DMM 345, 365, 375, 385, 705, 707

8 Address Visibility Prepare “Perfect” bundles with fully visible address on top piece No banding or other interference over address on top piece No facing slip over address No seams, bunching, blistering, wrinkles in shrinkwrap over address Proper use of OEL or bundle presort labels Strapping Interferes with Address Visibility What Should I Know About The Perfect Bundle?

9 SACKS Standards - Specific Mail Types* Pieces with Coated Paper Cover Maximum 3” height if using rubber bands, OR shrinkwrap, OR string Maximum 6” height, if using 2 plastic straps, OR shrinkwrap, plus 1 or 2 straps Uncoated Paper Maximum height – 8” Recommend 6” maximum 2 bands, OR shrinkwrap, OR shrinkwrap and one or two bands *DMM-345, 365, 375, 385, 705, 707 Poor Use of Rubber Bands What Should I Know About The Perfect Bundle?

10 How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely? Ensure bundles do not exceed height & weight standards Select bundling material appropriate for the type of mail you process Bundle may compress further after being secured, causing bundling material to become loose Use clear smooth strapping

11 Pay close attention to bundles that are placed in sacks, particularly if the majority of mail will destinate outside your local post office service area BUT, also pay attention to bundles on pallets How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely?

12 Once appropriate bundling material/method is selected, make sure it’s applied properly Banding must be tight enough to retain tension & centered to reduce slippage String must be tied securely so knots will not come loose Use 10-ply twine with a 65% polyester/ 35% cotton blend to ensure adequate tensile strength ( lbs.) How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely?

13 Once appropriate bundling material and bundling method is selected, make sure it is applied properly Rubber bands must be new and strong enough not to break or come loose Shrinkwrap must be of sufficient mil (thickness), strong enough for bundle size & weight Shrinkwrap must be sealed securely without openings that can catch and tear How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely?

14 Visit your local postal processing plant and observe the condition of your mail after an initial sort (e.g., APPS, SPBS, or sack sorter) Test bundling methods in your plant Give special attention to bundling of odd-shaped pieces and pieces with covers of coated stock How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely?

15 Quality Test for Bundles Drop from 4 feet height Drop on edge Pick up by strap or wrap No pieces should escape or become loose from the bundle If bundle becomes loose or pieces fall out, make adjustments to bundle preparation process How Can You Ensure Bundles Are Prepared Securely?

16 Mail owners/Mail preparers “We never heard of any problems with our mail!” Feedback and Resolution

17 Electronic Mail Improvement Report (eMIR) Postal reporting system for problems found after mail is accepted All types of mail preparation problems may be reported Mail preparation problems found in postal processing operations reported back to origin/acceptance site BME or Business Service Network (BSN) contacts mailer to resolve BME or BSN close report Resolution information available to all parties Feedback and Resolution

18 eMIR reports Part of PostalOne! customer report package Customer access to PostalOne! Customer Care Center Look Under “National & Premier Accounts” Menu for PostalOne! System Info Feedback and Resolution

19 Feedback and Resolution Customer Access to eMIR Provides visibility to mail owners/preparers with reported problems

20 Feedback and Resolution

21 Postal Activities Acceptance clerk review of bundle preparation – bundle integrity and visibility of address Rework mailing Pay additional postage Adapting standards to help move mail from sacks to pallets Resources Business Mail Entry Business Service Network

22 Conclusion Bundle breakage is a severe problem Affects postal processing, mail owners, mail preparers and the customer (addressee) Bundle breakage adds additional processing costs which can increase postage rates Coated paper stock pieces and pieces in sacks are more likely to become loose Comply with standards for “The Perfect Bundle” Perform quality checks of material, machines, and bundles Work with local postal officials to improve bundling processes

23 Questions? The Perfect Bundle Thank You “A secure bundle with a fully visible address is a thing of beauty”