UPS has officially opened its expanded air hub at East Midlands Airport (EMA) in the UK, positioning it as a vital connection to world markets – in particular for small businesses looking for new, cross-border customers.

This investment of £138 million strengthens the connection between the Midlands region and businesses throughout the country to UPS’s global smart logistics network. The hub is fitted with the latest package sorting technology that further increases efficiency, reliability and speed.

“Our investment at East Midlands Airport shows our confidence that UK businesses of all sizes are poised to make the most of export opportunities now and in the future,” said Jim O’Gara, president, UPS UK Ireland and Nordics. “Our message to companies large and small in the region is that the world is at their fingertips, and we’re here to make doing business internationally as easy as doing business at home.’’

The facility features automated scanning and sortation systems that make operation more efficient and more sustainable by reducing UPS’s carbon footprint. EMA is also served in part by liquefied natural gas UPS vehicles that connect the facility to customers throughout the UK and refuel at the nearby ground hub in Tamworth.

UPS’s operation at EMA represents more than 640 job opportunities for the region. One of these is Jolanta Kowalska, who works as a team leader in the export operation. “It’s been a great opportunity to jump in and to take on a new challenge,” Kowalska said. “It’s a chance to put my skills to use and work with a great team.” UPS’s culture of promotion from within creates a range of career development opportunities – especially in an environment that features next-generation technology.

UPS’s expanded EMA air hub is 36,000 sq m and can now sort up to 22,500 packages per hour – more than twice the capacity of the previous facility. This will help UK exporters scale up more easily during peak periods. In particular, regional small and medium-sized businesses that may otherwise think exporting is beyond their reach can benefit from the six daily flights that connect EMA to key markets, including Germany and vital trans-Atlantic opportunities in the US.