3.24.2004 ET

(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC – For the fifth consecutive year, UPS (NYSE: UPS) has been named among America’s Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women.

UPS’s inclusion in the WBENC “Elite Eleven” highlights the company’s effort to provide opportunities to women- and minority-owned businesses. Through its supplier diversity program, UPS develops mentoring relationships with smaller companies and works with other major corporations to increase diversity among suppliers. In 2003, UPS spent more than $187 million with women- and minority-owned firms.

“To be recognized by WBENC and our suppliers for five consecutive years is truly an honor for UPS,” said UPS Chairman and CEO Mike Eskew, who participated in a White House recognition ceremony today. “The business relationships developed through the UPS Supplier Diversity Program continue to be of great benefit to UPS and our customers. The products and services we receive from our suppliers help us to synchronize commerce around the globe.”

UPS has ranked among WBENC’s “Top Corporations” since the inception of the list in 1999. With the Elite Eleven, WBENC recognizes corporations with world-class quality in supplier diversity programs featuring women-owned businesses.

For its fifth annual listing, WBENC surveyed Fortune 1000 U.S. companies for best practices on issues including senior management involvement; identification and development of WBEs; internal buyer education; program structure; development of mentor-protégé initiatives; resources and measurement, as well as internal and external communications. To compile its list, WBENC then formed a committee consisting of corporate representatives, women business leaders and women business advocates to evaluate survey results.

Companies interested in participating in the UPS Supplier Diversity Program can visit the Supplier Diversity section of www.community.ups.com. Information on how to join the program, including an online application, is available through the web site.

UPS’s commitment to diversity in all areas has been recognized by several notable organizations, including the National Urban League (2003 Corporate Leadership Award), the NAACP (2001 Corporate Citizen of the Year Award) and the Native American Business Alliance (2002 Corporation of the Year Award).

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS), and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

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