Monday, July 20, 2009

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Fitzgerald lands UPS contract By INDERIA SAUNDERS ~ Guardian Business Reporter ~ inderia@nasguard.com: UPS is sending reassurances of a smooth transition to its new operator Bahamas Couriers Limited, following the move to part ways with Global United It's a switch-up that come in the wake of GUL's financial troubles and cuts 40 percent of its business. "UPS has taken all the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition to our new contractor," said a statement issued on behalf of the company's country manager, Pedro Capote, and directed as customers. "You should continue to receive the same quality service and customer attention you are accustomed to from UPS." It's a shift that will see the package delivery company's office relocate to the East West Highway, and to the offices of BCL. It signals the second change of operators for the company in as many years. According to the UPS statement, BCL owner Edward Fitzgerald will be in charge of the daily operations effective this week, adding to his 30-plus year experience in the courier industry. News of the change may have come as a surprise, given the head of GUL moved just two months ago to allay concerns over the company's shipping contracts, asserting his sizable UPS contract remained in tact. "GUL is operating as normal in both Nassau and Freeport," Jackson Ritchie told Guardian Business in an earlier interview. "We are in full operation, our customers, our bank and our vendors are working with us and we look forward to coming back stronger and better in the near future." The loss of the contract follows court judgments ordering GUL to pay more than the $6 million to the government upfront for brokerage tax money collected on behalf of clients but not, in fact, transferred. Ritchie readily admitted the UPS contract had become increasingly more important to the company in recent weeks, given the loss of its Royal Caribbean brokerage contract. The UPS delivery contract was passed from Pinder Customs Brokerage to GUL, with Global being the UPS contractor in The Bahamas for just over a year. The acquisition, effected just last year, was billed as a perfect fit with Global's existing local courier service, although it appeared to then eclipse it. It's unclear now what BCL plans entail. Guardian Business was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach the company head yesterday. UPS is now encouraging all persons with concerns over the change in operator to contact it directly. Friday, July 3, 2009