From delivering our first packages in West Germany in the 1970s, to connecting customers around the world with our fully integrated logistics network in 2026 … we’ve seen it all, and UPS has plenty to celebrate.
🎉 Happy birthday: This year we’re marking 50 years in Europe, including 40 years in Austria, Switzerland and at our Cologne/Bonn Air Hub in Germany. Plus, we’re saying “Feliz Cumpleaños” to 35 years in Mexico.
With these milestones, we continue to combine the expertise of our people with cutting-edge innovation to make supply chains more resilient and global logistics easier for our customers to navigate. And we’re not stopping anytime soon.
50 years in Europe: Where an overseas journey began
In August 1976, we began our expansion to Europe in West Germany. On our first day, 211 employees served 62 customers and delivered 1,150 packages. By the end of our first year, we had delivered more than 3.1 million packages.
Our expansion continued in 1986 with Austria and Switzerland. And today, we operate Europe’s fastest integrated ground network, covering every address on the continent, with Saturday delivery in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Poland.
40 years at Cologne/Bonn: A gateway to the world
Opened in 1986, the Cologne/Bonn Air Hub in Germany is now our largest operation outside the U.S. The hub includes more than 105,000 square meters of operating space – about 15 football pitches – and can sort 190,000 packages per hour.
Today, it remains key to time-critical shipments within Europe and across continents, giving businesses access to markets around the world.
35 years in Mexico: Helping businesses reach the world
Since 1991, our business in Mexico grew from a small package delivery operation to an integrated logistics partner connecting local businesses to global markets.
We’re supporting Mexico’s growing industries with global solutions for healthcare, automotive and manufacturing, e-commerce and small businesses. For example, UPS Trade Direct speeds up distribution across the U.S. and Mexico, reducing time in transit by one to two days while streamlining customs clearance. And we’re continuing to invest in Mexico and strengthen North American supply chains.
“These milestone anniversaries are more than markers of time – they’re a celebration of UPS people everywhere who have built trusted connections for our customers across borders, industries and communities," said EVP and Chief International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions Officer Wilfredo Ramos. "From Europe to Mexico and around the world, our teams show up every day with the expertise, care and commitment customers count on to keep their businesses moving.”
The next chapter: Các chuỗi cung ứng toàn cầu đang ngày càng trở nên phức tạp hơn. Businesses must navigate changing trade routes, evolving regulations and uncertainty, all while customer expectations for speed and reliability continue to rise.
UPS has been in business for more than a century. We know how to turn challenges into opportunities, and we’re better positioned than anyone in our industry to meet our customers’ every need.
That’s exactly why we’re investing more than $2 billion across our International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions businesses through 2028.
Looking to start shipping abroad? We can help you navigate the process with confidence. Schedule a free consultation today.