[photopress:UPS_China_Express_1.jpg,full,alignright]UPS, which was launched by Jim Casey in Seattle in 1906 as United Parcels Service, started its Asia Pacific operations in 1986, and in 1988 linked up with Sinotrans as a joint venture partner. In 2001 it moved away from Sinotrans and its Chinese operations into a wholly owned business.
UPS is now expanding its number of flights to China, building more infrastructure and creating a stronger brand presence, calling itself a ‘technology company with trucks.’ Part of that China presence is because of the expansion of air services. UPS has, or is adding, new flights connecting Shanghai and the United States and is increasing its weekly flights to 18. It plans to establish an air hub in Shanghai in 2007.
UPS serves the 23 largest Chinese markets, which account for 80 percent of China’s global trade. Richard Loi, the senior vice president of UPS China District, said, ‘If you look at the growth engine in Asia and the growth engine in China, it is known as the world’s factory, and many companies want to be there’
UPS has 33 large, wholly owned branch offices that serve more than 200 cities in China. The offices are staffed by UPS’s own employees, such as service providers and salespeople, and use the company’s own technology. In China, the company has 500 salespeople — whereas in the U.S., it has several thousand. UPS is using its sponsorship of the 2008 Olympic Games in China to extend its branding more aggressively.
Source: Forbes