UPS and the US government’s commerce department, in a potentially lucrative spin-off for theexpress carrier, are linking up to boost exports from small and medium-sized American companies to
78 countries worldwide.The partnership agreement is designed to make exporting simpler for companies by leveraging “an array of both public and private sector resources”, UPS said in a statement announcing theinitiative.
“Exports are on the rise and there has never been a better time to trade,” said IsraelHernandez, assistant secretary for trade promotion and director-general of the US and ForeignCommercial Service.
“More than 70% of the world’s purchasing power is beyond our borders, and this agreement willmake it easier for US businesses to establish and grow their international sales.”
“UPS brings a proven global track record that will enable more US small and medium-sizedbusinesses to access and benefit from our combined export tools and resources,” Hernandez added.
The US Commercial Service’s network extends to 250 branches in 78 countries. It helpscompanies enter international markets with services including market research, trade events andintroduction to qualified buyers and distributors, as well as counselling and advocacy.
Alan Gershenhorn, president of UPS International, commented: “UPS is uniquely positioned tohelp smaller businesses export their goods. Our teaming with the US Commercial Service will givesmall and medium-sized exporters the necessary resources to move goods, information and fundsseamlessly around the world.”
UPS provides a wide range of international time-definite transportation services for USexporters and technology solutions such as UPS TradeAbility, a tool that helps shippers identifycountry tariff codes and calculate duties, and Quantum View Manage, which monitors every packagemoving toward a customer’s location and provides alerts for delays.
Meanwhile, yesterday, UPS chief financial officer Scott Davis reaffirmed – at an investorconference in Cologne, Germany, broadcast on the Internet – that he expected the company to achieveearnings per share growth of 6-10% this year as it looks to expand international operations.
