UPS opens new US$30 million DC at Calgary airport

UPS has opened its new US$30 million distribution centre at the Calgary airport offering links to the US and overseas markets with a special focus on China, India and Mexico.

"Despite the recent recession, Calgary is a economic growth engine for Canada with many businesses in the area looking to take advantage of emerging markets overseas," said UPS Canada president Mike Tierney.

"The rise of middle classes in China and India offers great potential to businesses in the Calgary area," Mr Tierney said. "And this new facility will provide our customers with access to those markets in a more convenient and reliable fashion than ever before."

The 150,000-square-foot facility that will sort and distribute both air and ground packages has been under construction since June of 2008, and will allow UPS to double its package processing capability. The hub houses 157 trucks for ground transportation to surrounding communities, in addition to serving as a staging point for aircraft, a UPS statement said.

The new hub was constructed to meet growing demand for UPS' services, after shipment volumes from the Calgary area have grown by 60 per cent since 2003.

The UPS facility is part of the YYC Global Logistics Park, a multifunctional international trade and transportation hub that moves high volumes of goods to and from local, regional and international destinations.

"The new UPS facility is a welcome addition to the YYC Global Logistics Park," said Stephan Poirier, vice president and chief commercial officer. "Over the last decade YYC has solidly established itself as a major transportation and logistics hub in North America, making it a strategic location where cargo and passenger airlines can develop a strong link with their customers in western Canada and around the globe."

Air cargo tonnage more than doubled at YYC from 66,000 tonnes in 1999 to 134,000 tonnes in 2007.

Source: www.schednet.com