United Parcel Service - History

History

On August 28, 1907, James Casey founded the American Messenger Company in Seattle, Washington, capitalized with $100 in debt. In 1913, the first delivery car appears, a Model T Ford. Casey and Ryan merge with a competitor, Evert McCabe, and form Merchants Parcel Delivery. Consolidated delivery is also introduced, combining packages addressed to a certain neighborhood onto one delivery vehicle. In 1918, Charles W. Soderstrom, is recruited and helps manage the company's ever-growing fleet of delivery vehicles. In 1919, Service begins in Oakland, California. The name United Parcel Service is adopted. The first official logo is released.

In 1930, A consolidated service begins in New York City, and began operations soon after in other major cities in the East and the Midwest. First mechanical system for package sorting. Accountant George D. Smith joins the company. The name United Parcel Service is adopted all over the country. All UPS vehicles are then painted the familiar Pullman brown, chosen because it was considered neat, dignified, and professional. Headquarters move to New York City. In 1937, The UPS logo is revised for the first time; it now includes the tagline "The Delivery System for Stores of Quality". In 1940–1959, Services are expanded by acquiring "common carrier" rights to deliver packages between all addresses, any customer, private and commercial. In 1952, Blue Label Air established.

In 1961, Renowned graphic designer Paul Rand creates the iconic third logo for UPS. The shield represents stability and integrity, and the bow on the box represents the package service. In 1975, UPS moves its headquarters to Greenwich, Connecticut. UPS begins servicing all of the 48 contiguous states of the USA. UPS also establishes Canadian operations in 1975. On Feb. 28, UPS Ltd. (later changed to UPS Canada Ltd.) begins operations in Toronto, Ontario with a single delivery vehicle. UPS Canada's head office is located in Burlington, Ontario. In 1976, UPS establishes itself in Europe with a domestic operation in West Germany. Blue Label Air. In 1982, UPS Next-Day Air Service is offered in the US and Blue Label Air becomes UPS 2nd Day Air Service.

In 1988, UPS Airlines is launched. In 1991, UPS moves its headquarters again – to suburban Atlanta, Georgia. In 1992, UPS acquires both Haulfast and Carryfast and rebrands to UPS Supply Chain Solutions. Haulfast provides the pallet haulage and trunking network for the CarryFast group of companies. In 1995, UPS acquires SonicAir to offer service parts logistics and compete with Choice Logistics. In 1997, Teamsters strike shuts down UPS. In 1998, UPS Capital is established. In 1999, UPS acquires Challenge Air.

On November 10, 1999, UPS becomes a public company. In 2001, UPS acquires Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.. In 2003, the two companies introduce The UPS Store brand, and approximately 3,000 Mail Boxes Etc. locations re-brand. On March 2003, UPS unveils a new logo, replacing the iconic package and shield originally designed in 1961 by Paul Rand. In 2004, UPS enters the heavy freight business with the December 20 announcement of the purchase of Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, a former subsidiary of Menlo Worldwide. UPS rebrands it as 'UPS Supply Chain Solutions'. The purchase price is US$150 million and the assumption of US$110 million in long-term debt. On August 5, 2005, UPS announces that it has completed its acquisition of less-than-truckload (LTL) trucking company Overnite Transportation for US$1.25 billion. This was approved by the FTC and Overnite shareholders on August 4, 2005. On April 28, 2006, Overnite officially becomes UPS Freight. On October 3, 2005, UPS completes the purchase of LYNX Express Ltd, one of the largest independent parcel carriers in the United Kingdom, for £55.5 million (US$97.1 million) after receiving approval for the transaction from the European Commission. The first joint package car center operation, in Dartford, Kent, is opened in 2006.

On August 28, 2007, United Parcel Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. In June 2009, United Parcel Service lobbies to have language added to the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. FedEx runs a negative ad campaign called Brown Bailout. On March 19, 2012, UPS announces that it intends to acquire TNT Express for $6.8billion, in a move to help expand its presence in European and Asian markets.