2010 showing better than expected growth in volume

Last year’s global downturn also saw the courier/express market suffering heavily, according to Jasen Smallbone, national sales manager of UPS. “The financial crisis led to a decline in consumer spending and business trading activity and, consequently, to less shipments being moved than in previous years,” he told FTW. But, despite this difficult environment, records show that UPS responded well, he added, both in SA and globally. “Throughout 2009,” Smallbone said, “UPS maintained its industryleading margins, expanded its market share outside of the US, continued to generate strong cash flow – US$4.1-billion for the full year 2009 – and invested in new capabilities to better serve our customers.” According to its more recent records, the company achieved betterthan- expected growth in volume, revenue and profit in the first quarter of 2010. Its first quarter global earnings increased 37% over the first quarter in 2009, and revenue increased 7% to US$11.7-bn, compared to the first quarter of 2009. Said Smallbone: “This, along with other indicators, leads us to be optimistic about the year ahead. “The recent recession gave us the opportunity to increase efficiencies and operating leverage, and this positions us very well to be at the forefront of the recovery, providing our customers with the high levels of service and value for money they expect.” Smallbone was optimistic about the future, and believed global trends would be a major stimulus that powered economic recovery. Part of his company’s attraction, he reckoned, was that it was the only operation in the transportation industry offering an end-to-end global service portfolio. This is everything from package transportation and supply chain management to freight forwarding, international trade services and brokerage. “Our strong growth over the past decade was no accident,” Smallbone added. “It was due in large measure to the more than 400 000 UPS employees worldwide, including those in South Africa, using their skills, knowledge, and passion to serve our customers – best described as a ‘can do’ spirit.”