United States Postmaster General and CEO Louis DeJoy addressed over 4,000 attendees at the 2024 National Postal Forum, presenting the significant elements of the Delivering for America (DFA) plan.
He outlined the necessity of organizational transformation and detailed the extensive modernization efforts now positioning the USPS, its employees, and its customers for a successful future.
Key achievements and progress areas of the DFA plan include:
- Modernizing the postal delivery and processing network: An investment of nearly $15.3 billion from the plan’s $40 billion self-funded budget is driving the creation of a modernized postal network.
- Upgrading the postal delivery fleet: The fleet is being enhanced with 106,000 new, more reliable vehicles, including 66,000 zero-emission electric vehicles.
- Boosting overall shipping volume: The successful implementation of USPS Ground Advantage and USPS Connect has led to significant increases in shipping volumes.
- Delivering significant savings: The DFA plan has dramatically reduced projected ten-year losses from $160 billion to $65 billion.
“When I arrived, the trajectory was in plain sight. We were 15 years into a 25-year plan to lose close to 300 billion dollars. Today, we are working very hard to change that trajectory,” said DeJoy. “We have a plan, it’s called the Delivering for America plan, and we are making great progress on the strategies it identifies.”
DeJoy addressed the historical difficulties faced by USPS, attributing many to legislative and regulatory decisions made before his tenure. He criticized the 2006 legislation for imposing requirements that clashed with the Postal Service’s original operating model, causing significant damage over the years.
“In 2006, Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission legislated a business model that was dead on arrival. This was immediately proven detrimental,” DeJoy stated. “The subsequent 15 years of actions and inactions by Congress and our regulator substantially destroyed the Postal Service. As we proceed with our transformation, we must overcome the damage inflicted and correct the bad practices developed under duress and without a plan.”
DeJoy emphasized the comprehensive strategy being implemented under the DFA initiative: “We are designing and implementing a new integrated mail and package network that is logical, fully utilized, cost-effective, and reliable. Our products and revenue streams will support and be supported by this integrated network and the efficient operating practices we deploy. We will dramatically improve productivity and significantly reduce transportation costs while maintaining reliable service.”
He also stressed the importance of empowering USPS employees by providing them with the necessary tools, equipment, and support to deliver quality work at a respectable cost. “The Delivering for America plan is about inspiring a change in the culture of the Postal Service team. Through our collective efforts, this transformation is happening. The men and women of the United States Postal Service are engaged in transforming the organization into a vibrant one, necessary for the long-term service the nation requires.”
The National Postal Forum, held from June 2-6, 2024, in Indianapolis, is a premier four-day conference bringing together thousands of professionals from the mailing and shipping industry. The forum offers attendees opportunities to hear from postal executives, attend educational sessions, and network to advance their businesses.