25 years for UPS Germany
United Parcel Service could already look back on 70 years of company history when it first started offering its services outside the US in 1975.The first step beyond the borders of the United States took UPS to the north into neighbouring Canada. where it set up an independent operation in 1975.
Compared to this the second move in 1976 across the Atlantic to Germany was an enornious leap. The parent company and the new subsidiary were not only separated by a physical ocean, but the cultural milieus, which differed widely.
Germany in those days was familiar with and assimilated many aspects of US cult ure; but little was known or understood of American business philosophy and expectations of service. Germany’s economy was the envv of the world hut the reputation of its service sector was indifferent.
This was especially the case in the parcel distribution industry. Private parcel services were virtually unknown in Germany in the mid-70s.
UPS becomes a household name
More than two and a half decades have gone by now, and what was something of a leap into the dark at the time has proved to be a leap into the future. The Pull-
niann-brown parcel vans have become a permanent feature on the roads of the now reunified Germany.
The number of UPS staff in Germany has grown from an original 211 to approximately 15,000, and the number of regular customers from 62 to over 80,000. Today UPS picks up as many parcels in Germany in one week as it did during its whole first year of operations in Germany. Within the worldwide UPS network, the German organisation is one of the most important.
The extension of UPS activities in Europe began with Germany At the same time the German operation was integrated seamlessly into the international network of services. UPS has also consistently strengthened its logistics activities over the last few years.
The establishment of the UPS Logistic Group in 1995 signalled this change in strategy to its customers. The latest upgrade to its activities in Germany was the acquisition of the Munich-based logistics service provider Uni-Data.
