The Duravant family of operating companies serve the food processing, packaging and material handling segments.
Parcel & Post Industry
Why Operational Throughput, Accuracy, and Adaptability Are No Longer Optional
In today’s Parcel & Post environment, throughput is no longer just a metric — it’s a differentiator. As global e-commerce volume continues its double-digit annual growth, parcel hubs and postal facilities are under intense pressure to increase capacity, reduce manual labor dependency, and maintain high accuracy across a variety of packaging formats — all while working within space and budget constraints.
Over 159 billion parcels were shipped globally in 2023 — a figure projected to hit 256 billion by 2027. With these volumes rising, sortation systems must evolve beyond traditional conveyor logic and single-function systems.
That’s where the Xstream Parcel Sortation System from NPI comes in — engineered not only for speed but for resilience, flexibility, and long-term ROI.
Tackling the Core Challenges in Parcel & Post Operations
Challenge 1: Throughput Bottlenecks from Parcel Diversity
Many legacy systems struggle with parcel variability. The average parcel mix in modern sort centers includes everything from flats and rigid boxes to polybags, jiffy packs, and oddly shaped or lightweight items. This inconsistency leads to mechanical jams, increased error rates, and throughput slowdowns.
Xstream Solution: NPI’s Xstream Sliding Shoe Sorter processes up to 24,000 parcels per hour, depending on system configuration and parcel type. The system is designed with advanced singulation and gapping logic that handles irregular shapes and soft goods with the same precision as standard boxes.
Challenge 2: Space Constraints in Urban or Retro-Fitted Facilities
Many postal centers operate in legacy footprints, where floor space is at a premium and expansion is cost-prohibitive.
Xstream Solution: The modular design of the Xstream allows for compact, dual-sided sortation. This configuration optimizes footprint usage by reducing linear sorter length and enabling multi-level layouts. The system can be deployed in both greenfield builds and retrofits with minimal disruption.
Challenge 3: Labor Efficiency and System Scalability
Labor shortages in logistics continue to impact staffing levels, especially for high-throughput operations. At the same time, growing facilities require systems that scale with minimal reinvestment.
Xstream Solution:
- Reduced labor dependency through semi-automated singulation and automated sortation
- Low operator count for sustained operations — freeing up personnel for value-added tasks
- Scalable architecture for future growth in destination points, sort rates, and system integration
- Designed for rapid bolt-on expansion and third-party conveyor integration
Engineered for Performance. Built for Precision.
Key Features of the Xstream Platform for Parcel & Post:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Handles all parcel types: boxes, polybags, flats, jiffy packs, irregulars | Increases system versatility without the need for manual pre-sorting |
| Omni-directional barcode scanning | Improves first-pass read rates for 1D, 2D, and postal codes |
| Legal-for-Trade DWS system with up to 6-sided scanning | Certified accuracy for postal and carrier compliance |
| Intelligent gapping conveyor system | Ensures optimal spacing for scanning, sorting, and tracking |
| Conveyor speeds up to 600 FPM | Enables continuous high-speed parcel movement with minimal queuing |
| Web-based control software with secure API | Provides intuitive system control and seamless WCS/WMS integration |
| Third-party integration ready | Supports phased upgrades and existing conveyor compatibility |
| Low-maintenance design with fewer moving parts | Minimizes downtime and lowers total cost of ownership |
Designed for Today. Scalable for Tomorrow.
Every Xstream system is configured based on the operational realities of the customer. Whether you’re operating a national sortation hub or a regional delivery facility, our engineering team collaborates directly with yours to develop a layout that meets throughput needs with facility constraints and labor resources.
Custom engineering options include:
- Multi-output configurations to support diverse distribution zones
- Chute layouts designed for ergonomic manual handling or automated offloading
- Multi-tier systems for footprint-optimized vertical sortation
- Futureproof modules for phased growth or system reconfiguration
Proven ROI for Parcel & Post Operators
Up to 30% increase in throughput compared to legacy single-sided sorters- Reduction in manual labor by 40–60%, depending on facility configuration
- First-pass read rates exceeding 98% with high-density barcode scanning
- Industry-leading uptime due to low-maintenance components and nation-wide support from our Lifecycle Services team
Up to 30% increase in throughput compared to legacy single-sided sortersReady for the Future of Parcel Logistics?
The Xstream from NPI is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a platform built to evolve with the complexity of parcel logistics — whether you’re handling millions of pieces a day or scaling regional service capabilities.
Let us show you how smarter sortation can drive accuracy, reduce costs, and improve your delivery promise.
Do you need an automated sortation system for your operation? Contact Us.
Related Solutions
Xstream High Throughput Dual Lane Sliding Shoe Sorter
The NPI Xstream Dual Lane Sliding Shoe Sorter is a reliable, efficient, and scalable solution for parcel or package sorting with minimal maintenance requirements.
Xstream Compact High Density Sliding Shoe Sorter
The Xstream is a high speed and accurate automated sortation system capable of sorting boxes, poly bags, flats and irregular parcels.
Semi-Automated Bulk Singulator
NPI’s Semi-Automated Bulk Singulator solves the challenge of converting bulk into singulated flow in a small footprint. Capable of production flows of up to 10,000 PPH