Business Surges for Universal Express' Luggage-Delivery Brands among Individual Air Travelers as Companies Rally to Form Marketing Partnerships with Logistics Pioneer
Aug 21, 2006 8:00:00 AM
Copyright Business Wire 2006
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2006--
Universal Express Inc. (OTCBB: USXP). "As a result of the terrorist events in the U.K., Universal Express, Inc., a pioneer in luggage-delivery services, is seeing a 19 percent surge in individual bookings for its Luggage Express and Virtual Bellhop brands within a week, domestically and in Europe, and the company is anticipating wider growth as a large number of global companies in the travel industry are eagerly turning to the diversified logistics company to forge marketing partnerships so they can offer consumers a secure, timesaving and stress-free convenience," announced Richard A. Altomare, CEO, Universal Express, Inc. (OTCBB:USXP) and Founder and Chairman of The Coalition for Luggage Security.
"With the airport terror plot, new regulations and the airlines' creaky baggage systems putting fliers in a tailspin, upscale companies in the travel industry that we've been courting for alignments are now calling us, eager to come to the table to forge innovative marketing partnerships with our brands as a way to provide a security service that is more than a luxury - it's a necessity," said Mr. Altomare. "Since the August 10 terror plot in London was foiled we've signed six partnership contracts with leading companies in the travel industry." Universal Express, based in Boca Raton, Fla. and New York, partners with more than 50 organizations including hotels, credit card companies, cruise lines, travel agencies, tour operators and other leaders in the travel industry.
Universal Express introduced its Virtual Bellhop (
www.virtualbellhop.com) and Luggage Express (
www.usxpluggageexpress.com) brands in 1997 and both services operate from the same facility in Boca Raton. Baggage travels through sophisticated baggage movement systems and software. The company carved out this specialty niche from its array of logistics and air courier services. Within two years competition started heating up and today there are about eight players in the market, some of which concentrate on niches like sports equipment.
"In this age of terrorism and the urgent need for security, Luggage Express, Virtual Bellhop and our competitors are experiencing brisk business because a consumer need is being met," said Mr. Altomare. "Increasingly, travelers are finding a new way to avoid getting frazzled by ever-changing restrictions, rules and long lines. Traveling without luggage takes experiential knowledge because it's a different way of acting or behaving."
The Luggage Express and Virtual Bellhop services started out domestically and have since expanded worldwide to most countries, except Cuba, delivering baggage from a home or business to its destination and then back again using air or ground transportation. Of Luggage Express, Mr. Altomare explained the brand is registered in 10 different languages, with more to come.
"Today we look at travelers in a general sense, not just as business travelers or vacationers," said Mr. Altomare. "People are merging their business with leisure activities. We've moved approximately five million cases over the past nine years with most of our customers renewing. Once people have luggage shipped ahead, they can't see how they ever lived without it especially in today's terror climate."
Mr. Altomare explained the biggest misunderstanding for most American travelers is assuming their luggage travels for free. "The airlines are losing $11 billion a year and their luggage costs total $9 billion of that figure," he said.
About Universal Express
Universal Express, Inc. is a 22 year old logistics and transportation conglomerate with multiple developing subsidiaries and services. For additional information please visit
www.usxp.com
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained herein, which are not historical, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, certain delays beyond the Company's control with respect to market acceptance of new technologies, products and services, delays in testing and evaluation of products and services, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: Universal Express Inc.
