UPS 2014 Annual Report Download - page 13

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PART I
Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements
This report includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Statements in the future tense, and all statements accompanied by terms such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,”
“estimate,” “assume,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “plan,” and variations thereof and similar terms are intended to be
forward-looking statements. We intend that all forward-looking statements we make will be subject to safe harbor protection of
the federal securities laws pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Our disclosure and analysis in this report, in our Annual Report to Shareholders and in our other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) contain forward-looking statements regarding our intent, belief and current
expectations about our strategic direction, prospects and future results. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking
statements in other materials we release as well as oral forward-looking statements. Such statements give our current
expectations or forecasts of future events; they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Management believes that
these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue
reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made.
Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or anticipated results. These risks and uncertainties are
described in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and may also be described from time to time in our future reports filed with the
SEC. You should consider the limitations on, and risks associated with, forward-looking statements and not unduly rely on the
accuracy of predictions contained in such forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-
looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, changes in expectations, or the occurrence of unanticipated events after the
date of those statements.
Item 1. Business
Overview
United Parcel Service, Inc. (“UPS”) was founded in 1907 as a private messenger and delivery service in Seattle,
Washington. Today, UPS is the world’s largest package delivery company, a leader in the U.S. less-than-truckload industry and
the premier provider of global supply chain management solutions. We deliver packages each business day for 1.6 million
shipping customers to 8.2 million receivers ("consignees") in over 220 countries and territories. In 2014, we delivered an
average of 18.0 million pieces per day worldwide, or a total of 4.6 billion packages. Total revenue in 2014 was $58.2 billion.
We are a global leader in logistics, and we create value for our customers through solutions that lower costs, improve
service and provide highly customizable supply chain control and visibility. Customers are attracted to our broad set of services
that are delivered as promised through our integrated ground, air and ocean global network.
Our services and integrated network allow shippers to simplify their supply chains by using fewer carriers, and to adapt
their transportation requirements and expenditures as their businesses evolve. Across our service portfolio, we also provide
control and visibility of customers’ inventories and supply chains via our UPS technology platform. The information flow from
UPS technology drives improvements for our customers, as well as for UPS, in reliability, flexibility, productivity and
efficiency.
Particularly over the last decade, UPS has significantly expanded the scope of our capabilities to include more than
package delivery. Our logistics and distribution capabilities give companies the power to easily expand their businesses to new
markets around the world. By leveraging our international infrastructure, UPS enables our customers to bridge time zones,
cultures, distances and languages to keep the entire supply chain moving smoothly.
We serve the global market for logistics services, which include transportation, distribution, forwarding, ground freight,
ocean freight, air freight, brokerage and financing. We have three reportable segments: U.S. Domestic Package, International
Package and Supply Chain & Freight, all of which are described below. For financial information concerning our reportable
segments and geographic regions, refer to note 11 of our consolidated financial statements.