USPS recently recognized two districts that made major improvements in package processing and passport revenue.
Greater Michigan District increased productivity in a manual Priority Mail operation by 25 percent, while Central Plains District grew passport revenue by 75 percent.
Both achievements were honored through the Lean Innovation Challenge, a twice-yearly competition that is part of the Postal Service’s efforts to improve efficiency.
Greater Michigan received the award for most improved project after the project team made changes at the Grand Rapids, MI, Processing and Distribution Center, including adding signage so mail handlers know where to place packages.
“Since the area is organized, we work more efficiently,” said Sr. Clerk Irene Erickson.
Central Plains received the award for best new project, which involved consolidating five passport processing sites into a single location and providing customers with clearer communications about application requirements.
“Customers are more prepared when they come in, making the process go more smoothly,” said Passport Center Supervisor Edie Freeman.
The awards, which also included recognition for Eastern Area, Western Area and Detroit District for submitting the most entries, were announced at the recent National Postal Forum. Winners were chosen from more than 200 submissions.
USPS leaders present the award for most improved project to Greater Michigan District. From left, Chief Operating Officer David Williams, Continuous Improvement Acting Manager Jewelyn Harrington, Retail and Customer Service Operations VP Kelly Sigmon, District Manager Chuck Howe, Grand Rapids, MI, Sr. Plant Manager Julia Sigg, Great Lakes Area VP Jacqueline Krage Strako, Network Operations VP Linda Malone and Delivery Operations VP Edward Phelan Jr.USPS leaders present the award for most improved project to Greater Michigan District. From left, Chief Operating Officer David Williams, Continuous Improvement Acting Manager Jewelyn Harrington, Retail and Customer Service Operations VP Kelly Sigmon, District Manager Chuck Howe, Grand Rapids, MI, Sr. Plant Manager Julia Sigg, Great Lakes Area VP Jacqueline Krage Strako, Network Operations VP Linda Malone and Delivery Operations VP Edward Phelan Jr.
The presentation of the best new project award to Central Plains District included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, District Manager Rick Pivovar, Western Area Operations Support Manager Erica Brix, Western Area Acting VP Greg Graves, Malone and Phelan.The presentation of the best new project award to Central Plains District included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, District Manager Rick Pivovar, Western Area Operations Support Manager Erica Brix, Western Area Acting VP Greg Graves, Malone and Phelan.
The presentation honoring Eastern Area for most new project entries included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, Area VP Joshua Colin, Area Operations Support Manager Todd Hawkins, Malone and Phelan.The presentation honoring Eastern Area for most new project entries included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, Area VP Joshua Colin, Area Operations Support Manager Todd Hawkins, Malone and Phelan.
The presentation honoring Western Area for most improved project entries featured, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, Brix, Graves, Malone and Phelan.The presentation honoring Western Area for most improved project entries featured, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, Brix, Graves, Malone and Phelan.
The presentation honoring Detroit District for most entries submitted included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, District Manager Lee Thompson, Strako, Malone and Phelan.The presentation honoring Detroit District for most entries submitted included, from left, Williams, Harrington, Sigmon, District Manager Lee Thompson, Strako, Malone and Phelan.
