UPS brings on new express options

After positive results in 2010 and a strong first quarter 2011 in all business sectors, UPS is upbeat about the year ahead. “As global trade recovers, we feel we are in an excellent industry space with great growth potential,” says UPS country sales manager Jasen Smallbone. “With GDPs and industrial production on the rise in many economies around the world, international trade should be one of the catalysts that drives growth, and the express cargo/courier segment will help to facilitate that growth,” he told FTW. In South Africa, UPS offers several express options – Worldwide Express and Worldwide Express Saver for packages up to 70 kg. “These services offer day- and time-definite delivery to destinations around the world,” he said. “From July 12 onwards, UPS Worldwide Express Plus will also be available to customers in South Africa. With this premium service, for example, you can ship from Johannesburg to New York City with delivery before 8am the second business day after collection.” For heavier cargo, three service levels of express freight are offered, with typical time in transit to destinations around the world of one to three days. From a global perspective UPS expanded its UPS Express Freight to Israel and Slovakia in February. “These two emerging markets are quickly becoming key hubs for the high-tech, automotive and other manufacturing industries,” said Smallbone. The company has also expanded its Preferred LCL Ocean Freight service to include 10 additional ports in Asia. As a predominantly businessto- business service provider in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region, UPS has seen similar business trends in South Africa as in Europe and the rest of the world, says Smallbone. “We see the resumption of global trade as countries recover around the world from the recession. Additionally, just-in-time inventory management, increased use of the Internet for ordering goods, and direct-to-consumer and made-to-order business models are becoming more prominent, requiring accurate and reliable transportation services in order to be effective. “As customers increasingly view effective management of their supply chains as a strategic advantage rather than a cost centre, we’re seeing a trend toward outsourcing of supply chain management,” he added.