ATLANTA, Georgia - In recognition of the company’s proven process to provide business opportunities to minority-owned businesses, UPS was named "Corporation of the Year" by the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC), Georgia’s leading organization dedicated to expanding business opportunities between corporations and minority-owned companies.

The GMSDC also recognized an individual UPS procurement manager with a separate award as 2002 "Buyer of the Year."

The "Corporation of the Year" award is determined by the GMSDC membership, which includes major corporations and minority-owned businesses. UPS was evaluated on the overall scope of its supplier diversity initiatives, including areas such as strategy, programming and outreach to suppliers and contract spending with minority-owned firms. In 2001, UPS awarded more than $116 million in contracts nationwide to minority- and women-owned firms.

"We are honored to receive this award in recognition of our continued efforts to increase access and opportunities for minority businesses in Georgia and around the country," said Steve Donovan, UPS’s vice president of procurement. "This award is particularly special because we were selected by our peers and partners, the corporate and minority entrepreneurs of the GMSDC. Their acknowledgement of the work we continue to do is extremely rewarding."

The award was presented during the GMSDC "Spirit of Alliance" Award Luncheon, which was part of the organization’s 2002 Business Opportunity Expo held in Atlanta on August 19-21.

Also during the luncheon, Mike Murphy, UPS Information Services Procurement Manager, received the 2002 "Buyer of the Year" award for his success in awarding contracts to minority-owned businesses.

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

United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS:NYSE), the world’s largest express carrier and package delivery company, has received numerous recognitions for its supplier diversity program. For three consecutive years, the company has been named among America’s Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). UPS reported 2001 annual revenues of $30.6 billion. It resides on the Web at www.ups.com.

Learn more about the UPS Supplier Diversity program.

UPS

UPS

UPS is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves 10.6 million customers daily in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.

For more information, please visit UPS.com or the company’s Sustainability website, ups.com/sustainability. View and subscribe to UPS Horizons, our sustainability newsletter, by visiting ups.com/sustainabilitynewsletter.

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