Saudi Arabia’s national postal service, Saudi Post, is set to unveil the region’s largest super sorting center early next year. This initiative is a key part of its transformation strategy, aiming to enhance its supply chain capabilities and support Saudi Arabia’s role as a global logistics hub.
Anef Abanomai, president of Saudi Post, discussed the upcoming facility at the Global Logistics Forum in Riyadh. He emphasized that the center will improve productivity, reduce delivery times, and lower costs. The transition from manual to automated, robotics-based sorting systems is a significant part of Saudi Post’s digital transformation plan.
Historically, sorting was manual, making it labor-intensive and prone to errors. Abanomai highlighted that automation and robotics have already been successfully integrated, enhancing operational efficiency and service resilience.
Saudi Post is evolving from a traditional postal operator to a comprehensive logistics provider, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This strategic shift leverages the Kingdom’s geographical position to enhance trade across continents and sectors.
Abanomai noted the importance of investing in logistics infrastructure, including seaports, airports, and land ports, to improve the movement of goods and people. This development is expected to positively impact various industries, from trade to manufacturing.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Saudi Post’s transformation, prompting the creation of healthcare logistics solutions to deliver medications directly to patients’ homes. Beyond healthcare, the organization has expanded into diverse logistics operations, including transporting horses for the Saudi Cup.
Saudi Post is also focusing on e-commerce logistics, improving last-mile delivery solutions to better serve merchants and customers. A significant challenge remains in meeting evolving customer expectations for faster, more customizable, and cost-effective services.
Abanomai highlighted the tension between the need for large-scale, standardized processes and the demand for tailored services. The key challenge for Saudi Post and other logistics providers is adapting swiftly to these expectations while maintaining efficiency.
