Skip to main content

Hoyer Visits Major UPS Distribution Center in Laurel

March 19, 2004
LAUREL - Congressman Steny Hoyer today visited and toured the UPS regional distribution center in Laurel. Hoyer was led on the tour by UPS District Manager Sonia Schmidt Hoover. UPS is the world's largest package delivery company. Approximately 2,000 employees work out of the Laurel distribution facility, which serves the entire DC metropolitan area. Congressman Hoyer addressed close to 300 UPS employees at the center and recognized the facility's impressive employee safety accomplishments.

"I don't have to tell you, but have you heard what they are saying about UPS? Most admired company for the 20th consecutive year; America's second best known brand [after Coca-Cola, but precedes Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Disney and Campbell soup]; ranks in the world's top ten companies for management quality, social responsibility, financial soundness and quality of product; named the United Way nation's top giver in 2003; named among America's top corporations for women business enterprises; and ranked for the past 4 years as one of the ‘50 best companies for minorities,'" said Congressman Hoyer when he addressed UPS employees at the distribution facility.

"With a delivery fleet of 88,000 package cars, vans, tractors and motorcycles on the road each day, UPS is delivering the goods," added Hoyer.

"I am very proud of all of the UPSers in the Metro D.C. District and their commitment to safety and service," said UPS Vice President of the Metro D.C. District Sonja Schmidthuber. "I appreciate Congressman Hoyer taking time from his busy schedule to help recognize our employees for their excellence in safety and service. Having Congressman Hoyer participate in the safe driving awards presentation added a very special meaning to the remarkable achievement by those drivers, who were recognized today for reaching safety milestones," Schmidthuber added.

In this area UPS has over 1,200 drivers on the road daily delivering packages and keeping business strong.

"With a business that is so large and a work force which is so vast, UPS must assure that safety comes first and you here in Laurel can be proud of a sharp decrease in safety mishaps. UPS is a vital part of Maryland's business picture and all of us - local, state and federal government - must work to provide the solutions to our region's transportation needs.

"I congratulate all of you on setting high safety standards and working to achieve such success in limiting your accident rate," concluded Hoyer.

Congressman Hoyer and UPS District Manager Sonia Schmidthuber recognized several employees for reaching impressive safety milestones and presented them with certificates of appreciation. The employees recognized for their outstanding records of safety included: Patrick Scheele for 21 years of safe driving; Paul Murphy for 20 years of safe driving; Matthew Elam for 17 years of safe driving and Michael Klug for 16 years of safe driving.

UPS drivers are among the safest on the roads. The 85,000 drivers of the world's largest package delivery company's log more than 2 billion miles a year - and average of less than one accident for every million miles driven.

# # #