Halifax delivers for UPS Canada

Author: Mike MacKenzie

For UPS Canada, the decision to expand east was an easy one.

Encouraged by Atlantic Canada’s positive growth outlook and booming economic prospects, the international shipping giant knew the time was right to make a forward thinking move. In early 2012 they made it official, with the announcement of six new locations across the Atlantic Provinces resulting in the creation of 250 new jobs.

“Atlantic Canada is one of the only areas predicting double-digit growth in the export market,” says Shelley Gares, Atlantic Director of Operations for UPS Canada. “It’s a very, very lucrative and attractive market for us to be in.”

As Atlantic Canada’s regional hub city, Halifax is playing a prominent role in the company’s plans for expansion. The city will be an important centre for UPS Canada’s Atlantic operations.

The Greater Halifax Partnership took an active role in helping the company establish themselves in the city, providing an array of services and leveraging important connections to ensure that UPS Canada was in touch with all of the right people.

“We were thrilled that UPS Canada recognized Halifax as an international gateway for shipping and transportation,” says Robyn Webb, Director of Business Retention and Expansion and Labour Market Development at the Greater Halifax Partnership. “We are happy to help ease the transition as they establish their operations.”

Through the SmartBusiness Program, the Partnership was active in helping UPS Canada recruit the right talent for their team. They facilitated important connections with Halifax Regional Municipality, various universities and colleges in Halifax, Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS), the 3rd annual International Careers Fair and the HRM Job Development Group. These connections resulted in invitations for UPS Canada to attend three different job fairs, an important factor for a company looking to hire for over 100 positions in Halifax alone.

The Partnership also gave UPS Canada advice on the right location for their own job fair, and helped promote the event both on their website and through their social media channels.  It’s been this support that UPS Canada says has made the difference.

“Greater Halifax Partnership has been instrumental in supporting our recruitment efforts,” says Michelle Riffin, Employer Services Manager for the East Canada division of UPS. “Through their support we’ve been able to make extremely important contacts and get off the ground in Halifax.”

With at least 100 new jobs and significant investments made to establish the company here, UPS Canada’s expansion is proof that Halifax is a great place to do business. 

Author: Mike MacKenzie 

Mike is the former Communications and Marketing Assistant with the Greater Halifax Partnership.