NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Ten years after its Initial Public Offering, UPS (NYSE:UPS) marked the
anniversary today as its chief executive officer returned to the Big Apple to
ring the opening bell for the New York Stock Exchange.
Chairman and CEO Scott Davis was joined by members of the UPS Board of Directors
and senior executives in launching the trading day on Friday. Davis is the 10th
chairman and CEO in UPS`s 102-year history but only the third to spend time
guiding the affairs of a "public" UPS.
UPS, founded as a Seattle messenger service in 1907 by a 19-year-old named Jim
Casey, was owned privately by employees, retirees and various foundations until
Nov. 10, 1999. On that day, UPS issued 109.4 million Class B shares representing
10 percent of the company`s outstanding shares at an IPO price of $50 per share.
At the time, the $5.47 billion raised on that day was the largest domestic IPO
ever. Over the ensuing 10 years, public ownership of UPS has grown from 10
percent of the company`s stock to 70 percent.
"The IPO marked another milestone in our 102-year history that allowed us to
lever our financial strength to expand our business," said Davis, noting UPS now
offers a broad range of logistics, supply chain, freight, customs brokerage,
financial and retail services.
"I firmly believe that going public facilitated execution of UPS`s strategy to
become the leading global transportation solutions provider," he added. "UPS is
better positioned today than at any time in its history."
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 pressroom.ups.com/RSS.
UPS
Public Relations
Norman Black, 404-828-7593
or
Investor Relations
Andy Dolny, 404-828-8901
Copyright Business Wire 2009
