UPS SERVES AS LOGISTICS PARTNER FOR PRADA TRANSFORMER PROJECT
MILAN, 30th April, 2009 - UPS (NYSE:UPS) has announced that it has been selected by Prada, one of the world leaders in the luxury goods market, as the logistics partner for its non-profit cultural project Prada Transformer, which opened on 25th April in Seoul, South Korea. UPS worked closely with Prada to manage the transportation of materials critical to the opening events.
Contact:
Lotta Söderström, UPS Norden
0703 09 74 10
lsoderstrom@ups.com
Mikko Viikilä, Hill & Knowlton Finland
358 44 582 0856
mikko.viikila@hillandknowlton.com
Prada Transformer is a "shape-shifting," tetrahedron-shaped temporary building designed by prestigious architecture firm OMA/Rem Koolhaas and is installed near the historical Gyeonghui Palace, where it will host a series of cross-cultural exhibitions, screenings and live events in the South Korean capital over the next six months.
UPS was selected by Prada as the ideal logistics partner for this one-of-a-kind cultural initiative. The quality and reliability of UPS service through its integrated global air and ground network was a perfect match for the complex logistics needed to make this event a success.
"UPS shares the same dedication to perfection, precision and innovation as Prada" said Frank Sportolari, UPS Italy country manager. "Our experience in providing unmatched service and reliability on a global scale served us well in managing the complex tasks of transporting all the goods and displays necessary to assure the event launched flawlessly.”
"The Prada Transformer is a unique project, not only for its revolutionary architecture and its rich cultural programme, but also for its complexity." said Sebastian Suhl, President of Prada Asia Pacific. "The successful delivery of all the opening day materials across multiple borders and seven time zones is a testament to UPS's flexibility. Reducing the complexity thanks to UPS's reliability has allowed us to focus on the successful project delivery."
The UPS Supply Chain and Small Package divisions handled the logistics and all stages of transportation from Italy to Korea of the sets and exhibits for the opening event of Prada Transformer: the exhibition "Waist Down - Skirts by Miuccia Prada," which amounted to a total of over nine tonnes.
In recent weeks, UPS picked up the material from Prada's headquarters in Tuscany and Milan. The sets and garments then continued their journey to Cologne, where UPS has its European air hub. In Cologne they were loaded onto an aircraft headed for Pudong - Shanghai international airport in China, where they were transferred to a flight for Seoul and stored in UPS facilities until final delivery in the square outside Gyeonghui Palace, where the Prada Transformer installation is constructed.
The partnership with Prada will also include the transportation of art works by Nathalie Djurberg for the ‘Turn into Me’ exhibition to be opened at the beginning of August.
UPS is the world’s largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain and freight services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronising the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, USA, UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at www.UPS.com. To get UPS news direct, visit www.pressroom.ups.com.
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