UPS Canada : The Ultimate Journey

SUPERCHARGING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

At UPS, customers are reaping the benefits through strategic investments that are helping to streamline operations and increase efficiency, resulting in an enhanced experience for anyone using the service.

Technology, in particular, is revolutionizing many industries, and the package delivery services sector is no exception.

In 2022, UPS introduced the International Dispatch Optimization (IDO) technology, a game-changer that serves as the foundation for future enhancements in package delivery.

It has deskilled sorting operations and driver navigation features. IDO offers new features for customers that we are currently testing, such as time of delivery windows and Follow My Delivery – which is near real-time visibility of where their package is on a map, taking their experience to the next level.

“In Canada, we have utilized radio frequency identification (RFID) and smart package labels to provide real-time visibility of packages in our facilities,” she details.

This proactive approach allows the operation teams to quickly identify and resolve any issues, improving accuracy and efficiency in their operations.

“Our next-generation brokerage services are another innovative solution that simplifies the brokerage and export process. By applying machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), we save time, reduce errors, and improve the overall customer experience.”

UPS’s advanced brokerage services, including UPS Paperless Invoice, enable customers to electronically submit trade and customs documents, making life easier for customers exporting goods.

This paperless approach reduces the need for manual processing and minimizes customs holds. Additionally, it eliminates millions of paper documents from the shipping process, delivering a positive impact on the environment.

Constantly innovating and leading the way with digital customs solutions, such as UPS Paperless Invoice, the organization is simplifying the clearance process in a labor-saving manner.

MOVING TOWARDS A CARBON-NEUTRAL WORLD

Fleets, whether operating by land, air, or sea, are essential to the supply chain and logistics industry. With a global footprint in over 200 countries and territories, UPS has seen how climate change, air quality, and other socioeconomic challenges intersect.

The organization is committed to lowering its carbon footprint financially and socially responsibly. Indeed, it has committed to achieving 100 percent carbon neutrality by 2050, with clear goals and plans to reduce emissions across its operations. 

Overall, UPS strives to reduce its CO₂ per package delivered by 50 percent by 2035 (2020 base year).

To date, UPS has driven more than three billion miles using alternative fuel worldwide and aims to achieve 40 percent alternative fuel in its global ground operations by 2025. Meeting this goal includes a mix of EVs on the road and electric shifters to move trailers within their yards.

Other targets include achieving 30 percent sustainable aviation fuel in its air network by 2035, reaching 25 percent renewable electricity in facilities by 2025, and 100 percent by 2035.

“We have a strong focus on renewable and biofuel solutions as we see these low-carbon fuels as a bridging solution that will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as we transition our fleet to zero-emission vehicles. 

“Our company has been investing in alternative fuels for over 20 years, and currently, approximately 24 percent of our Canadian ground fleet runs on alternative fuels, including 133 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, with 76 more arriving this year,” Dexter confirms.

UPS Canada understands the importance of reducing its carbon footprint and has prioritized incorporating alternative fuel and EVs into company operations, continuously expanding its fleets yearly.

“We constantly explore innovative solutions and collaborate with stakeholders in pursuit of our global goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We are excited to welcome 20 new EVs to our hubs in Ontario and BC this year.

“By prioritizing alternative fuels and investing in advanced technology, we can significantly impact environmental sustainability in the transportation industry,” says Dexter optimistically.

PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE LEADERS

As a traditionally male-dominated industry, logistics and delivery companies are recruiting more women to occupy executive positions and operational roles.

Women have made significant strides in UPS’s 117-year history. Although the organization was founded by two men, it is now under the leadership of its first female CEO, Carol Tomé.

During World War II, women were actively recruited to fill vacant jobs in the company’s operations, from sorting parcels to loading and cleaning vehicles. Indeed, in 1943, Mazie Lanham became UPS’s first female delivery van driver. 

‘Brown Betty’ was the term used for any woman working outside the office during World War II, derived from the nickname ‘Brown Buddies’ given to male UPS drivers and helpers. 

Continuously progressive and ahead of its time, UPS employed Arlene Westermeyer as its first female pilot for its newly founded airline in 1988.

Today, three members of UPS’s C-suite are women; furthermore, the UPS Board of Directors is currently comprised of 42 percent women. This ratio is far above that of any other Fortune 50 company.

Among UPS’s many prestigious awards and recognitions, Financial Times added Tomé to its annual Woman of the Year list, recognizing the world’s most influential women.

Delving deeper into how UPS supports women, in 2022, it launched its Proudly Unstoppable initiative, which was designed to empower female-owned small businesses worldwide.

Financial exclusion can be challenging for women entrepreneurs who are trying to access capital to start, operate, or expand their businesses. The Proudly Unstoppable campaign strived to negate the obstacles posed to women by partnering with WeConnect International, an organization that provides financial assistance to female-owned small businesses.

Through the partnership, UPS ended up awarding 10 grants in each country to women-owned small businesses. Support was also square-shaped, in the form of specially designed, limited edition UPS Express Boxes featuring the work of three female artists from Canada, China, and Germany.

Additionally, since 2018, UPS has supported over 17,000 female small business owners around the world to scale globally through the Women Exporters Program. At the same time, the UPS Ignite Program gave out $100,000 in grants in 2022.

Unquestionably, the organization is doing its utmost to ensure that gender disparity is addressed and rectified in the logistics industry and business community.

Another notable achievement within the organization was the announcement that appointed Kate Gutmann to a newly created role as Executive Vice President and President of International, Healthcare, and Supply Chain Solutions in 2022.

AN EMPOWERING APPROACH

Before Dexter became the first female President of UPS Canada, her journey with UPS began in 1989 when she started as a package handler in Southeast California. Through hard work and determination, she took on various roles in industrial engineering, human resources, and operations, eventually earning the title of Laguna Package Division Manager in 2007.

Dexter continued to grow within the company, taking on different assignments in hub, air, and package operations in South and Central California. In 2015, she was promoted to package operations manager for the South California District, but her ambition didn’t stop there.

In 2016, she took on a new challenge as the UK, Ireland, and Nordics District Package Operations Manager. After gaining valuable international experience, she returned to the US in 2018 and became the president of the Northern Plains District. 

Dexter’s impressive resume includes a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics from San Diego State University and an MBA with a concentration in finance from Louisiana State University, Shreveport. She has also completed the Executive Development program at Emory University and the International Executive Development program at INSEAD in France. 

Dexter’s journey with UPS is an inspiration to all, especially to young women looking to break barriers and achieve their professional goals.

It was an honor for UPS to be recognized as the top transportation company for women by the Women in Trucking Association (WIT).

The non-profit organization (NPO) aims to encourage female employment in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments, and minimize obstacles. 

Furthermore, WIT welcomed UPS as its newest Gold Level Partner last year, aiding its mission to empower more women to pursue careers in transportation.

UPS Canada is also providing opportunities, facilitating career advancement, and promoting gender diversity.

Our Women’s Leadership Development (WLD) group is just one of the many ways we are working towards this goal,” Dexter prides.

The WLD program at UPS is dedicated to empowering women and promoting their advancement within the company. With a presence in over 30 countries, WLD serves as a platform for women to voice their ideas and contribute to business innovation and growth. Through various initiatives such as workshops, mentoring, and networking, the program equips women with the necessary skills and support to excel in their careers.

This emphasis on female leadership is crucial, as it allows women starting their careers at UPS to envision themselves in traditionally male-dominated roles and realize their potential for growth within the organization.

“We have a strong commitment to our people-led initiatives, which is one of our core values. This means that all management at UPS Canada has a role in identifying potential leaders and building talent within the organization.

“Our leadership model is built on these principles, and we practice them daily to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for career advancement,” Dexter asserts.