Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Big Business

The Postal Service is the core of the trillion dollar mailing industry that employs more than 8 million people.*

In 2008, these classes of mail brought in most of the $75 billion in revenue:

  • First-Class Mail -- $38.2 billion
  • Advertising Mail -- $20.6 billion
  • Shipping Services -- $8.4 billion
  • International Mail -- $2.4 billion
  • Periodicals -- $2.3 billion
  • Package Services -- $1.8 billion

If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 26th in the 2008 Fortune 500. First-Class Mail, Advertising Mail and Shipping Services would each make the list as individual businesses — ranking 61st, 119th, and 310th respectively.

What do you think about the Postal Service's impact on business, commerce and culture? Leave a comment here.

*The Envelope Manufacturers Association reported in the "2008 Economic Jobs Study for the Mailing Industry" that there are 8.4 million jobs and over $1 trillion in revenue attributed to the mailing industry.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

So when do we privatize?

Anonymous said...

If it would be private, 7 billion would be profit out of 75 billion revenu in 2008.

Anonymous said...

The USPS has the best infrastructure to monopolize the mailing industry without government regulation. The products and services offered are second to none. The biggest problem we face is poor management on many levels. It if were not for the dedicated employees of the USPS, this business would be in worst shape than its in. Management needs to look within for qualified individuals for leadership positions, and not just promote their buddies, and protect them unconditionally.