Ups History

The United Parcel Service, or UPS as it is commonly known, is the world’s largest package delivery service. James “Jim” Casey created UPS in 1907 with $100 as the American Messenger Company in Seattle, Washington. Jim Casey had previously worked for other messenger companies and his company had services covering “messenger ran errands, delivered packages, and carried notes, baggage, and trays of food from restaurants” (UPS “Company History”). It was not until 1913 that the company purchased several Model T Fords and changed their name to Merchants Parcel Delivery after merging with a competitor, that business began to expand quickly. In 1916 Charlie Soderstrom, whom also brought more automobiles and expertise with him, brought the color brown

UPS soon started flying some packages in 1929 for a short time, but due to the Great Depression, this did not last long. Flying services resumed in 1953 to major cities on the east and west coasts. Unfortunately, the ground service could not expand very quickly due to federal and state regulations not allowing free movement in the 48 contiguous states. During the 1950s-1970s UPS fought to change this and finally in 1975 the Interstate Commerce Commission started to allow UPS the authority to begin interstate service (UPS “Company History”). This allowed UPS to be the “first package delivery company to serve every address in the 48 contiguous United States” (UPS “Company

Mr. Abney began his career with UPS in 1974 as a part-time package loader while he was in college. He became President of Sonic Air, an air-delivery service that UPS acquired in 1995 and allowed UPS to offer same-day delivery. He moved on to become the President of UPS International and help UPS acquire several companies. In 2007 he became the Chief Operating Officer, “overseeing logistics, sustainability, engineering, and all facets of the UPS transportation network” (UPS “Management Committee). Alan Gershenhorn serves as the UPS Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Gershenhorn began his career in 1979 as a part-time package handler and has held several “U.S. and international positions in operations, engineering, freight forwarding, logistics, customs brokerage, marketing, strategy, and retail services” (UPS “Management Committee). He has helped UPS transform its ever-changing image since he started working with the company. Prior to his current position, he has served as Chief Sales, Marketing, and Strategy Officer “where he directed global sales, customer relationship management, segment marketing, product development, electronic commerce, revenue management, marketing research, and corporate strategy” (UPS “Management