History of UPS
UPS is the world 's largest package delivery company and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company was started in 1907 by James (Jim) Casey at the age of nineteen. Jim Casey borrowed $100 from a friend and started the American Messenger Company in Seattle, Washington. Despite stiff competition, the company did well because of Jim 's strict policies: customer courtesy, reliability, round-the-clock service, and low rates. He used the slogan: "Best Service and Lowest Rates." (www.ups.com).
In 1913, the company began to focus on package delivery for retail stores. The company merged with a competitor to form Merchants Parcel Delivery. The 1920s and 1930s saw growth, creativity and change. The company expanded to California and by 1930, service was provided to all major West Coast cities. In addition, a consolidated delivery service was established in New York city. Many innovations were adopted, including the first mechanical system for sorting packages and a 180 foot conveyor belt was installed in Los Angeles. The company changed its name to United Parcel Service and all the UPS vehicles were now painted the familiar Pullman brown color, chosen for its dignified, professional look and its ability to keep clean.
World War II forced UPS to redefine itself. Retail stores encouraged customers to carry their packages home rather than have them delivered. The trend continued with the creation of suburban shopping centers or malls. UPS began looking for new "common carrier" rights to deliver packages between all addresses, including private or commercial. This put it into direct competition with the U.S. Postal Service. UPS was restricted from operating in many parts of the country. Federal authority was required for each state border crossed and each state had to grant permission for the movement of packages within its borders. It took UPS almost twenty-five years, until 1975, to obtain authority to