UPS

The story of UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, began over a century ago with a modest $100 loan and the entrepreneurial spirit of two teenagers. In 1907, James E. Casey and Claude Ryan founded the American Messenger Company in a Seattle, Washington basement. Initially, their operations were humble, with messengers running errands and making deliveries on foot or by bicycle. Their focus was on serving local retail stores, ensuring customers' purchases reached their homes reliably. The company's reputation for dependable service quickly spread, fueling demand and paving the way for expansion. A pivotal moment arrived in 1913 when the company merged with a competitor, Evert McCabe, and acquired its first delivery vehicle, a Ford Model T. This marked a significant shift towards specializing in package delivery for retail merchants, prompting a name change to Merchants Parcel Delivery. Three years later, in 1916, Charles Soderstrom joined the team and introduced the iconic dark brown color for the company's vehicles, a practical choice that effectively masked dirt and has since become a hallmark of the brand.

The company's ambitions soon outgrew its Seattle origins. In 1919, the business expanded to Oakland, California, and officially adopted the name United Parcel Service (UPS). This period also saw the introduction of innovative practices for the time, such as the use of conveyor belt systems for package handling. By the 1920s, UPS had established a strong presence along the West Coast. A major move to New York City in 1930 marked the beginning of its expansion to the East Coast and the Midwest. The company's growth trajectory continued, and in 1975, UPS achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first package delivery company to serve every address in the contiguous United States, an accomplishment internally dubbed the 'Golden Link.' The same year, UPS ventured into the international market, starting with services in Toronto, Canada. The launch of UPS Airlines in 1988 solidified its position as a global logistics powerhouse. The journey from a small messenger service to a global leader in logistics, with operations in over 220 countries and territories, is a testament to its enduring commitment to innovation, customer service, and a forward-thinking strategy.