UPS to sponsor 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing

To support its rapidly growing presence in China, UPS announced today that it has been selected as the Official Logistics and Express Delivery Sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
The agreement was signed today in Beijing in a ceremony hosted by The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

Under the agreement, UPS will provide logistics consultation and management to BOCOG, and assist BOCOG to develop and execute the logistics operating plan for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. UPS also will provide express delivery services to venues during the Games.

The agreement with BOCOG is effective for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the Chinese Olympic Committee, and the Chinese Olympic teams competing in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

“Our goal is to be the leading global package delivery and logistics company to, from and within China,” said David Abney, president, UPS International. “This sponsorship is another important step in strengthening our brand presence in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.”

“In light of the rapid growth and continuous expansion of the Chinese sports market, we believe the sponsorship from UPS for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will allow for even greater contributions to the Olympic Movement and to China’s sports. The partnership also will create larger room for UPS’s development and additional prospects for the company,” said Wang Wei, BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary General.

“We are looking forward to friendly and reciprocal co-operation with UPS,” Wang added.

UPS was a global sponsor of the Olympic Games from 1995 to 2000. Abney said that sponsorship played a critical role in supporting the company’s rapid expansion around the globe during that period.

UPS was represented at today’s ceremony in Beijing by Ken Torok, president, UPS Asia Pacific. “We have learned first hand the significance of the Olympics and also the complexities,” said Torok. “Our past Olympic Games support gives UPS critical insights into the complex strategic, security and operational challenges faced by a Games Host Committee. UPS believes that it is distinguished by this experience and looks forward to helping BOCOG stage a great Olympic Games.”

UPS began service in China in 1988 and has invested aggressively to grow its business in the country and the region. In 2001, UPS became the first package delivery company to begin direct flights from the U.S. to China and, earlier this year, UPS became the first global delivery company to take direct control of its operations in major metropolitan centers within China. Just this past month, UPS announced plans to begin a domestic air express service within China in 2005 as well as an agreement to build a major air hub in Shanghai by 2007.

In addition, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, the logistics arm of UPS, has opened three new warehouses and freight distribution centers in Shanghai, Suzhou and Futian and is executing plans to open another 20 facilities in major cities over the next two years. UPS Supply Chain Solutions already is operating more than 40 logistics centers in China.

UPS continues to experience strong growth in its China business. For example, in the second fiscal quarter of 2005 ending June 30, UPS’s export volume to and from China doubled.

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 movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., 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 UPS.com.