UPS says it's ready for the holidays, expects new shipping records this year

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United Parcel Service Inc. says it's ready to handle this year's anticipated volume of more than 585 million packages in December.

David A. Mann

Reporter- Louisville Business First

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Atlanta-based United Parcel Service Inc. says it's ready to handle this year's anticipated volume of more than 585 million packages in December.

That would be an 11 percent increase from 2013, when customers saw shipping delays because of higher-than-anticipated volume, inclement weather and other factors.

In a news release, the company said it expects its peak delivery day to be Monday, Dec. 22, when it plans to deliver more than 34 million packages worldwide. This season, six days are likely to surpass last year's single-day delivery record of 31 million packages.

The company delivers about 17 million packages on an average day.

With last year's troubles still top of mind, UPS said it has been preparing all year for this season. It has done so by outfitting 47 new and expanded facilities and installing flexible capacity across its network, the release said.

About 15 locations will have modular units, with loading doors and connected conveyors configured as stand-alone "mobile delivery villages" to expand capacity. Each village can dispatch 60 to 90 additional vehicles.

The company also added new information technology systems and processes to improve volume forecasting, capacity visibility, package-status tracking and customer communications, the release said.

"Major retailers have chosen UPS to deliver strong e-commerce growth during 2014, as consumer acceptance for online purchases continues to grow steadily," Alan Gershenhorn, UPS executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in the release. "The holiday season is a major retail sales opportunity for our customers, and we have worked closely with many of our shippers to plan delivery volumes. Our objective is to ensure that all of our year-round business and retail shippers can take maximum advantage of expanded UPS capacity during this important period."

David A. Mann covers these beats: Health care, health insurance, distribution/logistics (UPS), manufacturing (GE, Ford), environment, travel, minority/women’s affairs and Southern Indiana.