KUALA LUMPUR: United Parcel Service of America Inc (UPS) has announced a series of network enhancements implemented across Asia, following strong company-wide growth in the first half of 2018.
The news also comes on heels of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent global economic outlook that anticipated Asia to maintain its robust performance with growth at 6.5 percent in 2018 and 2019.
“The global economy is now a much bigger playing field and far less hierarchical than in the past. Shifting geopolitical forces, free trade agreements and a surge in connectivity through new technologies and physical infrastructure have allowed businesses from practically every market, including those in Asia, to take their products and services to customers anywhere in the world,” said UPS Asia Pacific Region president Ross McCullough.
“By making investments in our smart logistics network in Asia, we aim to lay the foundation for more Asian businesses to expand their reach internationally, especially to other markets within our region as increased intra-Asia trade offers a buffer against headwinds from global trade and policy uncertainties,” he said in a statement.
Since the start of 2018, UPS has strengthened connectivity for Asian businesses between more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, expanded the UPS Express portfolio with time-definite delivery service, extended cut-off times for export shipments by up to five hours in four markets, and grown intercontinental air cargo capacity with seven new Boeing 747-8s, among others.
The company also increased retail access points in Malaysia by 70 per cent to almost 180 across 43 towns.
“With comprehensive international shipping services now available in nearly 180 locations across Malaysia following our latest round of service enhancements in emerging areas such as Melaka and Kuantan, Malaysian businesses big and small will enjoy more support as they expand their reach and gain greater access to the global marketplace,” said UPS Malaysia marketing manager Carrie Tan.
In the past 12 months, UPS made a swathe of investments in Asia, including service expansions across thousands of postcodes throughout China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam, in addition to forming a new joint venture with China’s market leading express delivery firm, SF Express, to expand its reach across China.
UPS was established in Asia Pacific 30 years ago, and in this time, the company has grown to service more than 40 countries and territories in the region and employ more than 13,000 staff.
Today, UPS’s Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong hubs handle as many as 36,000 shipments per hour, delivered by 192 dedicated intra-Asia weekly flights that connect manufacturers, buyers and sellers along Asia’s supply chains.