As one of the largest parcel delivery companies in the world, UPS supports state funding initiatives to repair and expand infrastructure, the development of sustainable and alternative fuel vehicles, and simplifying the supply chain process to integrate more technology into day-to-day operations. Investing in infrastructure is essential to make all parts of the supply chain such as air, rail, ports and roads efficient and easy to navigate. Recent challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us many lessons, such as the need to treat cargo as a priority to tackle supply chain pressures. Maintaining cargo capacity and organizing efficient trucking schedules ensures that the network retains its capacity and that supply chains continue to move seamlessly. Recently, UPS worked with the Georgia Department of Transportation and members of the legislature to provide feedback for the State Freight and Logistics funding plan. This collaborative study will improve the capacity, connectivity and capabilities of Georgia’s transportation infrastructure. Additionally, UPS supports new technology that will improve our operations. HB 1009 authorized personal delivery devices to operate on sidewalks, crosswalks and public highways. This is favorable for UPS’s last mile robot program, and these devices will help businesses cut costs, reduce congestion and advance sustainability initiatives. Alleviating congestion issues and increasing the fluidity of our infrastructure systems is crucial in creating a more efficient, greener and safer supply chain.
As UPS continues to bring attention to transportation pinch points across the U.S., our sustainability goals continue to be a significant focus. We have set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, and renewable natural gas (RNG) is one of the strategies being used to get there. RNG is produced from methane emitted through the decomposition of animal waste, food waste, wastewater sludge and garbage. RNG has been certified as a carbon negative vehicle fuel, achieving emissions reductions of up to 500% compared to traditional fuels. Sourcing fuel from landfills and dairy farms not only reduces environmental impact, but also displaces traditional fossil fuel sources – empowering America’s local economies with new revenue streams for family farms and a new RNG production workforce. This fuel source is commercially available at scale, and North America can increase its natural source conversion to RNG production by about 70 times. Since 2014, UPS has used 155 million gallons of RNG and in February of 2020, UPS agreed to purchase an additional 250 million gallons for the coming years. Past RNG use by UPS vehicles have realized CO2 reductions of almost 1.4 million metric tons. Renewable natural gas is instrumental in de-carbonizing medium and large-sized trucks, as well as reducing methane emissions.
Navigating supply chains can quickly become complicated. UPS understands that from truck drivers to small-business owners, the last thing anyone needs to deal with are avoidable supply chain issues. Integrating technology to simplify the supply chain process and help businesses remain ahead of changing dynamics in the marketplace are crucial to remaining competitive. UPS helps implement solutions personalized to the unique challenges of every business. Software such as Ware2Go and Supply Chain Symphony enables businesses of any size to optimize and control their supply chains, ensuring optimal warehouse storage, efficient delivery in two days or less, the ability to track and trace individual packages and streamlined travel routes for truck drivers. Particularly for small and medium sized businesses, the world of modern supply chains can seem like a maze, but UPS remains committed to helping our partners become more efficient and more resilient.
