UPS Opens Expansion Of Its European Air Hub
Tech-Driven Facility Ensures Reliability and Capacity For Customers Doing Business In, To, and From Europe
COLOGNE/BONN, January 30, 2006 - After two and a half years of construction, UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced the official opening of a more than US$135 million expansion of its European air operation at Cologne/Bonn Airport in Germany. The new facility is the centerpiece of UPS's European express network and a key hub in the company's global air operation, helping facilitate customers' distribution needs worldwide.
The expansion more than doubles the size of the operating area in Cologne/Bonn to 75,500 square meters (813,000 square feet) - the equivalent of more than ten football fields - and automates the express package sorting process with advanced, customized technology. The new building is the largest facility investment outside of the United States in UPS's history and increases the hub's sorting capacity to 110,000 packages per hour - or more than 30 packages every second.
"UPS continues to experience strong growth in Europe and this facility expansion will ensure we continue to meet the demands of customers for reliable and efficient global distribution solutions," said Wolfgang Flick, president, UPS Europe. "The investment is part of a long-term strategy to help customers compete and succeed on the key trading lanes within Europe and linking Europe to North America and Asia. Through the new Cologne facility and our vast, integrated transportation network, UPS can now connect the world to Europe like never before."
UPS has enjoyed great success in Europe, including nine consecutive years of strong export volume growth. In 2005, UPS export volume from Europe grew nearly 15 percent over 2004. This robust growth supports the decision for the Cologne facility investment. The facility, in turn, is a clear symbol of UPS's optimistic outlook for the continent's economic future.
With the expansion in Cologne, UPS has positioned itself for continued growth of its international air express business. Customized technology ensures the hub's efficiency and processing reliability, reducing manual package handling during the sorting period. In addition, the operation is expandable to accommodate up to 165,000 packages per hour in the future.
The growth of the company's European business will create several hundred new jobs at the Cologne hub. UPS today employs 1,800 people in its air operations in Cologne/Bonn, making the company one of the largest employers at the airport.
Founded in 1907, UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the flow of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, USA, UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at www.ups.com.
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Except for historical information contained herein, the statements made in this release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of UPS and its management regarding the company's strategic directions, prospects and future results, involve certain risks and uncertainties. Certain factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including economic and other conditions in the markets in which we operate, governmental regulations, our competitive environment, strikes, work stoppages and slowdowns, increases in aviation and motor fuel prices, cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our operating results, and other risks discussed in the company's Form 10-K and other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.
Contacts:
Carsten Helssen, UPS Europe Public Relations
carsten.helssen@europe.ups.com
+32 2 7769832
Sabine Henssler, Edelman PR
sabine.henssler@edelman.com
+32 2 2276177
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