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A look at how USPS handles the surge in packages for the holiday rush

The Scranton Distribution Center moves more than 60,000 packages a day to keep the holiday spirit moving.

SCRANTON, Pa. — One package after another is scanned, sorted, and ready to be shipped from the United States Postal Service's distribution center in Scranton.

"By tonight, we're expecting about 64-66,000," said USPS Plant Manager Gary Kausmeyer. "Obviously, everything has to be ramped up. Our staffing, Bob, will talk about transportation."

Kausmeyer says the holiday rush has forced USPS to change things inside the building to keep up with the changes outside.

"This machine is called an automated delivery unit. It has 192 separations. So that takes care of all the offices that we serve," said Kausmeyer. "With people ordering online, that increased the package business."

Every year, Kausmeyer says, the package business gets busier and busier.

"Compared to ourselves, we are up from last year," said Kausmeyer.

More than 60,000 packages and 1.2 million pieces of mail come through the plant daily. But before Santa can get his hands on it, each parcel goes through logistics manager Robert Grasso.

"Transportation that actually leaves here, about 230 trucks a day," said Grasso.

Handling the 24/7 shipping side of the operation, Grasso says 95% of their business is on the ground.

"He's gonna fill this truck up," said Grasso. "Mainly double-stacked all the way to the back."

Working hard with his staff to make sure everything gets where it needs to go ahead of the holiday.

"Knowing what we're processing here," said Grasso. "We make sure we are successful here, and we want everyone to be."

And every other day of the year.

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