3.11.2008 - 10:00am ET

(CSRwire) ATLANTA - March 11, 2008 – UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced the expansion of its award-winning supplier diversity process to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)-owned businesses through a partnership with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

"Partnering with the NGLCC not only helps LGBT businesses grow by conducting business with UPS, but we also gain access to excellent suppliers," said Lisa Johnson, UPS's procurement and supplier diversity manager. "Expanding our process to include LGBT-owned businesses reinforces our commitment to supplier diversity."

NGLCC-certified businesses now can register to participate in UPS's supplier diversity process. Launched in 1992, the supplier diversity process provides UPS business opportunities for small businesses and those owned by minorities, women, veterans and now lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The NGLCC represents the interests of an estimated 1.4 million LGBT-owned businesses. Through its affiliated network of 45 state and local chambers and business organizations, the NGLCC is the largest LGBT business development and economic advocacy organization in the country.

"We are incredibly proud to be working with UPS, one of the world's most recognized brands, to help our members grow their businesses," said Aditi Dussault, manager of the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Initiative. "UPS is a strong advocate for the LGBT community and recognizes the incredible business opportunities LGBT companies have to offer."

Additionally, as part of its partnership with the NGLCC, UPS is offering members of the organization a discount on UPS shipping services.

LGBT-owned companies interested in obtaining NGLCC certification can begin the process at www.nglcc.org. To learn more about UPS's supplier diversity process, visit http://www.community.ups.com/diversity/supplier/main.html.

UPS has been recognized for the success of its supplier diversity efforts by organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women Impacting Public Policy. Last year, UPS won NMSDC's top corporate award and was listed as one of the top corporations for Women Business Enterprises by WBENC.

In addition to leading its industry in expanding its supplier diversity process to include LGBT-owned businesses, UPS also is a leader in its commitment to LGBT employees. The company recently received a top rating of 100 percent, the highest in its industry, from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, which measures how employers treat LGBT employees based on factors such as non-discrimination policies, diversity training and benefits for domestic partners and transgender employees.

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services. With more than a century of experience in transportation and logistics, UPS is a leading global trade expert equipped with a broad portfolio of solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the Web at UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit http://pressroom.ups.com/RSS.

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