UPS

UPS this week has rolled out what it calls a “wearable” scanning system that augments and speeds up how packages are loaded onto vehicles by its employees as well as the delivery of visibility information to customers.

A recent Bloomberg report stated that European Union (EU) regulators have extended their review of UPS’s bid to acquire Netherlands-based TNT NV, a provider of mail and courier services and the fourth largest global parcel operator for $6.28 billion by ten working days until December 12.

Company points to U.S. Domestic and Supply Chain & Freight segments as drivers for quarterly growth.

A report by the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), entitled “Strategic Advantages of Moving Mail by Rail,” highlights the fact that moving USPS services and products on rail could be highly advantageous and beneficial for the USPS, with multiple benefits.

In a 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, FedEx said this week that it has learned that the United States Postal Service plans to solicit proposals for domestic air services that are currently provided by FedEx.

Late last week UPS said that the European Commission’s review of the proposed acquisition is now expected to move to a “Phase II review,” because there are facets of the deal that require more time to analyze.

While transportation and logistics bellwethers UPS and FedEx are well-established in all corners of the world, one area where their presences could be even greater felt is China.

Last week, LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman conducted an on-stage interview with Jack Holmes, president of UPS Freight, the less-than-truckload (LTL) subsidiary of UPS at the 10th annual eyefortransport 3PL Summit, which was held in Chicago. Holmes provided an in-depth look at the LTL sector and how LTL’s and shippers should—and could—work well together, among other topics.

UPS and Netherlands-based TNT NV, a provider of mail and courier services and the fourth largest global parcel operator, said today that UPS’s $6.5 billion cash offer for TNT, which was announced in March, commences tomorrow and will run through August 31.

As e-commerce continues to become more prevalent and becomes a “go-to” shopping option for consumers, subsequent effects of that figure to impact supply chains in the sense that they might be more consumer-driven in the future. That was one of the main findings of a recent study put out by UPS and comScore.

The Teamsters said these contracts represent roughly 250,000 union members throughout the United States.

Company officials stated that UPS now delivers to more ZIP codes and businesses than any other company. And along with extending its 8 a.m. delivery window UPS is also increasing the amount of ZIP codes it serves by 10:30 a.m. through its regular express service.

Transportation and logistics bellwether UPS announced this week that it has expanded its UPS Express Freight service into Nicaragua and Honduras.

While the freight economy is faring better now than it was during the depths of the recession, there are still many hurdles to cross, especially for the less-than-truckload (LTL) industry.

The company’s U.S. Domestic and Supply Chain and Freight segments paced quarterly growth for the company, with 13 and 19 percent gains in operating profit, respectively.