OREANDA-NEWS. UPS® (NYSE: UPS) held an official cornerstone laying ceremony to announce plans to build a new package sorting and delivery facility in Corbeil-Essonnes/Evry. The French Prime Minister, the mayors of Corbeil-Essonnes and Evry, and other dignitaries attended the commemorative event. The more than $100 million facility, due to open in the first quarter of 2018, will replace two smaller facilities and is expected to create more than 100 new UPS jobs. The site will be a showcase for UPS’s automated package sorting technology which minimizes time in transit to final delivery.

“France is a key market for UPS and building this new facility south of Paris shows our commitment to the French and European economies,” said Mike Harrell, managing director, UPS France. “Corbeil-Essonnes and Evry are two economic centers in the Essonnes region, with more than 2,000 businesses of all sizes. Using our integrated network, we’re here to help these companies grow by giving them fast access to markets beyond their region.”

The new South Paris sorting and delivery facility will replace smaller buildings in Chilly-Mazarin and Savigny for small packages and larger freight shipments. It will have an operating area of more than 320,000 square feet and 950 employees. Advanced technology will make it possible to sort up to 37,000 packages per hour, using 124 loading and unloading bays, with 125 parking positions for UPS delivery trucks.  

“We are bullish on Europe’s growth potential and this investment in France – UPS’s largest for the country – is part of our $2 billion investment program currently underway in Europe,” said Nando Cesarone, President of UPS Europe. “With e-commerce and cross-border business on the rise, we are making our most economical cross-border service up to two days faster in 19 European countries, including France. Our customers rely on our network to help them be successful in today’s global economy where cross-border trade represents real growth opportunities.”  

“The new UPS hub in Corbeil-Essonnes/Evry will allow French businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to take advantage of more efficient logistics, as well as export more easily and conquer new markets,” said Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of France.

The facility is located in two municipalities, Corbeil-Essonnes and Evry. “This new center and anchor-point for UPS, the world’s number one in logistics, in the area of greater Paris South, Seine-Essonne-Senart, between Every and Corbeil-Essonnes, is an opportunity for our area and confirms our attractiveness to business,” said Francois Chouat, Mayor of Evry.

“It reinforces the momentum our municipalities have built together to showcase and enhance our strengths. It also recognizes our area as a hub of logistics innovation. The laying of the first stone for this new center and signing the Contract of National Interest are proof of this strength and we hope to continue in this direction, always listening to what businesses need, and in the interest of job creation,” Chouat said.

Jean-Pierre Bechter, mayor of Corbeil-Essonnes added, “The decision to invest and create new jobs shows this is an attractive area for investment, which is welcome news for the local job market.”

In February, UPS opened a $28 million center in Lyon-Jonage. UPS is also upgrading its network across Europe to offer 24 to 48-hour faster day-definite shipping with UPS Standard. The solution, which is popular among French web shops, is the most economical when shipping cross-border items. "We have been active participants in the French economy for over 30 years and believe these investments show our commitment to local businesses who trust us every day," Harrell said.

The new UPS facility will meet the requirements to obtain the international LEED silver certification. The center will also utilize several electric and/or natural gas vehicles, and will be powered by renewable energy.

Offering service in France since 1985, UPS is present in 6 French airports (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Paris-Roissy, Rennes and Toulouse). There are 53 small package and supply chain centers employing approximately 2,600 people. 

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: 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 more than 220 countries and territories worldwide.