UPS has unveiled a major expansion of its international deferred delivery service UPS WorldwideExpedited to target new markets and to offer more choice to price-conscious express customers
seeking to reduce logistics costs.The parcels and logistics company has tripled the coverage area of the service, which offersinternational air delivery in 2-5 business days, to more than 220 countries and territories. Beforethis year, the service was available to 76 markets in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the MiddleEast.
In terms of outbound markets, Worldwide Expedited is now offered in 60 origin countries in theAmericas, Europe and the Middle East to the 220 destinations worldwide. Transit times vary fromregion to region.
Asked about the price difference between express and expedited deliveries, a UPS spokeswomantold CEP-Research: “While savings may vary based on specific shipment characteristics anddestination countries, customers could save approximately 40% compared to Express for heaviershipments.”
She confirmed that the trend to down-trading by customers in the tougher economic climate was “part of the rationale for the expansion” but also stressed: “UPS is looking to support the growingimportance of global e-commerce and the opening of new markets”.
John Sutthoff, UPS vice president of international marketing, stated: “UPS Worldwide Expeditedoffers our customers a more economical, less time-sensitive service that has many of the samebenefits they get from our Worldwide Express service, including fast and efficient door-to-doordelivery, tracking visibility and quick customs clearance provided by UPS’s customs brokerage.Retail and consumer goods, industrial manufacturing and high-tech industry customers are findingthe service especially attractive for the reliability and visibility supported by UPS’s best inclass IT and operating infrastructure.”
UPS said the service expansion would help customers magnify their global reach and balancedelivery speed with cost, no matter where they ship. According to the company, the volatileeconomic conditions of the last few years underscore the reason why companies should look to theglobal marketplace for stability and growth opportunities.
“Companies that expand beyond their domestic borders are better insulated from economicdownturns at home,” said Sutthoff. “As global trade and e-commerce continue to expand, ourcustomers will need access to new markets combined with the flexibility to ship their products inan economical manner. UPS’s Worldwide Expedited expansion enables this access and will helpcompanies of any size – importers and exporters alike – participate in this dynamic growth.”
UPS has recently introduced other major international products and service enhancementsincluding January’s launch of Worldwide Express Freight, targeting urgent, time-sensitive andhigh-value international heavyweight shipments, guaranteed, day-definite, door-to-door deliveryfrom 37 origins to 41 destination countries and territories.
The company also significantly expanded its Ocean Freight Services last year by increasing itsdirect less-than-container load (LCL) offering to more than 300 additional lanes in Asia, Europe,the Middle East, Africa, and South America. UPS now offers more than 1,700 direct LCL lanesservicing 116 countries.
