UPS (NYSE: UPS) has appointed Brendan Canavan, a 31-year UPS veteran, as its new president of the UPS Asia Pacific Region with responsibility for more than 40 countries and territories throughout Asia.
Canavan is replacing Derek Woodward, who has returned to the United States to lead a major strategic project.
Canavan most recently served as president of UPS's North-East District in Europe. Based in Brussels, Canavan's leadership played a critical role in the successful transition following UPS's acquisition of Stolica, a leading parcel and express delivery service in Poland, and a realignment of UPS's European operations that brought together 27 countries including Italy, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Romania, Czech Republic and Russia.
"Brendan's proven track record in a range of key operational functions makes him ideally suited to lead UPS's Asia Pacific Region, which continues to play an increasingly important role in our growth strategy," said Dan Brutto, president of UPS International. "His knowledge, experience and strategic insight will be of great value in leading this dynamic and diverse region and ultimately, allow us to better serve our customers in Asia and throughout the world."
A native of Philadelphia, Canavan began his UPS career in 1981 as a part-time package loader while attending Villanova University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics. He was promoted into management following graduation and served in various operational positions before being promoted to package division manager in 1989 in Lawnside, N.J. Prior to 1998, Canavan worked in UPS's Corporate Marketing function where he played a pivotal role in the development of new products in UPS's U.S. and Canada service portfolios. Between 1998 and 2003, he was promoted several times, first to operations manager in Northern Illinois and then to Upstate New York District Manager in 2000. In 2003, he assumed the position of Metro Chicago District Manager.
In 2004, Canavan moved to Louisville, Ky., to manage Worldport, UPS's cutting-edge global air hub and one of the most technologically advanced package sorting facilities in the world. While there, he also oversaw the successful operational integration of Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, which UPS acquired in 2004, and the opening of UPS's dedicated air freight facility.
Canavan began his most recent assignment in 2007 when he moved to Brussels to become president of UPS Europe's North-East District. Beyond his many achievements in advancing UPS's business objectives, Canavan also helped strengthen UPS's sustainability efforts in the region and expanded local employee volunteer initiatives and other charitable activities. While in Europe, he studied Advanced Management in the London Business School Executive Leadership Program, graduating in 2011.
"UPS's international operating margin is by far the best in the industry and the Asia Pacific Region is a key contributor to that," said Canavan. "UPS represents a respected brand and portfolio that's well positioned for global growth, particularly in this region because of a fast-growing middle class. It's projected that by 2020, more than 1 billion consumers will come from China and India alone and UPS is going to be prepared to serve those consumers."
Woodward, a native of Canada, has led the Asia Pacific Region since 2008. He joined UPS in 1985 as a part-time package sorter and delivery driver in Ontario, then was promoted to management and advanced through positions in business development, marketing and operations. In 2002, Woodward was promoted to corporate international marketing where he was involved in the acquisition of UPS's joint venture partner in China, which ultimately led to the establishment of wholly-owned operations there.
During Woodward's tenure as region president, UPS's operational capabilities throughout Asia were significantly enhanced through a variety of initiatives, including the conversion of UPS's joint venture in South Korea to a wholly-owned operation and the opening of two new hubs - UPS's international air hub in Shanghai in 2008 and the relocation of UPS's intra-Asia hub to Shenzhen in 2010. Woodward also led the expansion of UPS's healthcare capabilities in Asia with the opening of the company's first healthcare facility in Singapore in 2011.
"Derek's leadership has been a key factor in UPS's success in Asia over the last five years," stated Brutto. "Through his efforts, we have been able to do more for our customers in the region than ever before."
Canavan is replacing Derek Woodward, who has returned to the United States to lead a major strategic project.
Canavan most recently served as president of UPS's North-East District in Europe. Based in Brussels, Canavan's leadership played a critical role in the successful transition following UPS's acquisition of Stolica, a leading parcel and express delivery service in Poland, and a realignment of UPS's European operations that brought together 27 countries including Italy, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Romania, Czech Republic and Russia.
"Brendan's proven track record in a range of key operational functions makes him ideally suited to lead UPS's Asia Pacific Region, which continues to play an increasingly important role in our growth strategy," said Dan Brutto, president of UPS International. "His knowledge, experience and strategic insight will be of great value in leading this dynamic and diverse region and ultimately, allow us to better serve our customers in Asia and throughout the world."
A native of Philadelphia, Canavan began his UPS career in 1981 as a part-time package loader while attending Villanova University where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics. He was promoted into management following graduation and served in various operational positions before being promoted to package division manager in 1989 in Lawnside, N.J. Prior to 1998, Canavan worked in UPS's Corporate Marketing function where he played a pivotal role in the development of new products in UPS's U.S. and Canada service portfolios. Between 1998 and 2003, he was promoted several times, first to operations manager in Northern Illinois and then to Upstate New York District Manager in 2000. In 2003, he assumed the position of Metro Chicago District Manager.
In 2004, Canavan moved to Louisville, Ky., to manage Worldport, UPS's cutting-edge global air hub and one of the most technologically advanced package sorting facilities in the world. While there, he also oversaw the successful operational integration of Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, which UPS acquired in 2004, and the opening of UPS's dedicated air freight facility.
Canavan began his most recent assignment in 2007 when he moved to Brussels to become president of UPS Europe's North-East District. Beyond his many achievements in advancing UPS's business objectives, Canavan also helped strengthen UPS's sustainability efforts in the region and expanded local employee volunteer initiatives and other charitable activities. While in Europe, he studied Advanced Management in the London Business School Executive Leadership Program, graduating in 2011.
"UPS's international operating margin is by far the best in the industry and the Asia Pacific Region is a key contributor to that," said Canavan. "UPS represents a respected brand and portfolio that's well positioned for global growth, particularly in this region because of a fast-growing middle class. It's projected that by 2020, more than 1 billion consumers will come from China and India alone and UPS is going to be prepared to serve those consumers."
Woodward, a native of Canada, has led the Asia Pacific Region since 2008. He joined UPS in 1985 as a part-time package sorter and delivery driver in Ontario, then was promoted to management and advanced through positions in business development, marketing and operations. In 2002, Woodward was promoted to corporate international marketing where he was involved in the acquisition of UPS's joint venture partner in China, which ultimately led to the establishment of wholly-owned operations there.
During Woodward's tenure as region president, UPS's operational capabilities throughout Asia were significantly enhanced through a variety of initiatives, including the conversion of UPS's joint venture in South Korea to a wholly-owned operation and the opening of two new hubs - UPS's international air hub in Shanghai in 2008 and the relocation of UPS's intra-Asia hub to Shenzhen in 2010. Woodward also led the expansion of UPS's healthcare capabilities in Asia with the opening of the company's first healthcare facility in Singapore in 2011.
"Derek's leadership has been a key factor in UPS's success in Asia over the last five years," stated Brutto. "Through his efforts, we have been able to do more for our customers in the region than ever before."
