United Parcel Service, today known as “UPS”, is considered the largest package transportation company in the world and is turning 115 years old.
On August 28, 2022, the company marks 115 years of connecting individuals and businesses of all sizes to the world through one package. What many do not know is that UPS is the result of the dream that young James Emmett “Jim” Casey and Claude Ryan had, when in 1907 they borrowed 100 dollars and founded the American Messenger Company, in a four square meter office in the basement from a bar in Seattle.
After more than ten decades of existence, what once started as a startup has managed to become a world leader in the logistics industry, operating approximately 125,000 delivery vehicles including vans, trucks, motorcycles and more. 11,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles worldwide; in addition to being responsible for generating thousands of jobs in more than 220 countries in which it operates.
UPS at 115 Years: Embracing the Past, Present and Future
From its inception, company leaders have known that UPS’s most important asset is its employees, called “UPSers.” And although there are now more than half a million around the world, they operate under a culture considered as one big family. Many of its directors began their careers raffling packages and managed to reach leadership positions given the culture of “promoting from within”, so it is very common to find employees who have been with the company for more than 30 years and who entertain new generations of young UPSers with stories of how they operated when “the technology of today didn’t exist”.
The reality is that one of the reasons UPS has been so successful in surviving challenging historical periods like the Great Depression and World War II has been the resilience of its people and the ability to adapt to technological change. However, its collaborators are proud to continue putting into practice many activities that have been preserved for years, and that are characteristics of an internal culture that many are unaware of, but that makes them unique.
Among these practices is the constant focus on maintaining the safety of key collaborators, such as drivers. That is why every morning, in a conference, talks are held where stretching and warm-up exercises are done, safety tips and advice to avoid accidents are shared before each workday. This demonstrates the genuine interest that the company has in guaranteeing the safety of its workforce.
Another curious practice that has also survived time is to start the meetings with the reading of a company policy, taken from a book given to each employee the first day they join “the family” and where the UPS values, which is chosen by a collaborator, and then discussed among all. At the end of the discussion, the date is entered in the policy book, which accumulates over the years.
The distinctive brown color that characterizes its delivery vehicles, as well as the uniforms of its drivers, was introduced in 1919 and symbolized a sophisticated and conservative color, which also extended to appearance policies for its employees that were preserved throughout the years. On June 1, 2020, Carol B. Tomé began her tenure as the 12th CEO of UPS, becoming the first female CEO in company history. Among the changes that Tomé implemented that same year was to relax her appearance policies and also eliminate gender-specific rules to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment.
This vision of diversity, equity and empowerment has been transferred to Latin America, where 50% of the general management is under the responsibility of women in key countries for the company such as Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica. In Mexico, there have also been important appointments, such as Erika Ceciliano as Director of Operations and Customs, becoming the first woman to lead the area in the country; or the appointment of Rosalva Rivera, who directs the Marketing strategies for UPS Mexico and Latin America.
Looking to the future, UPS has set out its commitment to offset its carbon footprint with several goals: plant 50 million trees by 2030, have 100% renewable electricity in all facilities by 2035, reduce CO2 per package by 50% small by 2035, and continue to invest in research and development efforts to foster green innovations in the transportation and logistics sector, among others. These are all key points to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
UPS seeks to generate a social impact in all areas managed by The UPS Foundation, providing humanitarian aid to the health sector, seeking equity and economic empowerment, and protecting the planet.
Collaborators from around the world actively participate in these tasks and show a genuine interest in giving back to society. Since 2011 they have joined to exceed more than 24 million hours of volunteering, planting more than 22 million trees and with an investment total that exceeds $120 million dollars. And the commitment to continue supporting the communities it serves is for UPS employees to volunteer 30 million hours by 2030.
The company also invests in various organizations that address systemic education, economic barriers, organizations that create opportunities for underserved women, marginalized communities affected by natural disasters, all in the territories in which it operates.
From UPS they assure that they will continue striving to carry out multifunctional initiatives for the benefit of their UPSers, clients, partners and collaborators, which are aligned with the new purpose of the company implemented by Carol B. Tomé:
“We drive the world, delivering what is essential”
“UPS is a company with a proud past and an even brighter future. Our values define us. Our culture distinguishes us. Our strategy drives us. At UPS, the customer comes first, people lead and innovation drives.” Carol B. Tomé, CEO of UPS
For more stories about UPS and its people, visit www.about.ups.com