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UPS has been appointed official logistics and express delivery supporter of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
UPS is the fifth tier two supporter and 22nd domestic commercial sponsor overall. Although no exact figure has been disclosed for the cost of the sponsorship, Paul Deighton, chief executive of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), said the threshold for tier two deals is £20 million.
Deighton said the total sum collected so far for tier two sponsorships is £550 million, and it will be looking to add a further £150m to reach its top target of £700m.
UPS will operate the games logistics and command centre and provide logistics services to venues, warehousing services and a transport network of vans and lorries that links them.
Millions of sporting items and related equipment will need to be stored and processed during the games.
In addition, UPS will also be responsible for courier services and forwarding all items coming through customs and in freight for the 205 teams from around the world competing at the games.
UPS International president Dan Brutto pledged that “it will be the most carbon-free delivery of games ever, in the history of the Olympics.” It will use a dedicated fleet with up to 120 vehicles, including hybrid and electric zero-emission vehicles.
Brutto hinted that the agreement has sparked further opportunities to provide logistics deals with other Olympic suppliers, and that there is also scope to provide logistical support to the countries whose teams will be competing.
“We will use this as an opportunity to showcase our ability to provide complex supply chain solutions to the UK and the rest of Europe”, said Brutto,
“After the Beijing Games, our brand awareness increased by 33 per cent,” he added.
Sebastian Coe, chair of London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “Staging an Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is probably the biggest peacetime logistical undertaking in the world.
“UPS will bring a wealth of expertise to the planning and delivery of a spectacular Games in 2012 – they have a great heritage in supporting the games, global capabilities and we look forward to them being a vital part of the team. Having one single supplier to handle the majority of our complex transport and logistical needs will benefit everyone.”
LOCOG now has six tier one partners – Adidas, BP, British Airways, BT, EDF, and Lloyds TSB. And there are now five tier two supporters – Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte, UPS, and Adecco. And there are 11 domestic tier three suppliers and providers.
