UPS to work with India last-mile logistics collective

UPS’s agreement with Connect India is intended to give small businesses and artisans access to the parcel giant’s global reach though a network that reaches more than 8,000 small towns and semi-urban areas.    UPS has tabbed an Indian last-mile delivery network to connect customers in semi-urban and rural areas of India with the rest of the world.
   Bangalore-based Connect India has become a UPS authorized shipping outlet under a new agreement that links UPS’s global network with Connect India’s last-mile logistics capabilities. Customers in remote locations will be able to book international shipments through Connect India centers, which will make use of UPS’s global shipping services.
   Connect India currently operates through a network of common service centers entrepreneur-run Connect India Centers. Together they form a last-mile delivery network covering more than 50 cities, 650 district towns and 8,000 small towns across the country. The company’s vision is to eventually cover about 25,000 pin codes and establish 50,000 Connect India Centers over the next three years.
   UPS, which has operated in India since 1998, said the Connect India centers will provide customers with access to international shipping options, including packaging and labeling. The centers will also accept prepaid, drop-off packages processed online at ups.com. The program is aimed at bringing households, small and medium-size enterprises, entrepreneurs and artisans in remote regions of India to UPS’s global network.
   “The growing cross-border market in India and the renewed focus on boosting exports of indigenous products presents an opportunity to connect rural communities direct to an international delivery network,” said Mark Martyn-Fisher, managing director of UPS India. “Our alliance with Connect India is invaluable in opening new markets for the budding entrepreneur and SME company networks that need a reliable, convenient logistics system in order to survive and flourish.”
   “We aim to become the drop-box for all domestic, international and banking needs in India,” said L.R. Sridhar, founder and chief executive officer of Connect India. “Even as we explore new partnerships to improve our last-mile distribution capabilities, being UPS’s Authorized Shipping Outlet will open up a whole new international market for our customers.”