Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, some companies have been trying to do their part in helping the world get back to some sense of normalcy. As scientists speculate on the possibility COVID-19 becomes another recurring disease humans learn to live with, much like the flu, delivery giant UPS says it's committed to the continued safe distribution of vaccines around the world.
"The world is now vaccinating roughly six million people a day. That'll be 5.4 years before we get to 75 percent of the world's population," Scott Price, head of international operations for UPS, told Cheddar.
"What I can tell you is that given the size and the scope of the world's population and in our network, we're always going to be prepared for the capacity needs to get this vaccine around the world," he added.
The company's services aren't just limited to the needs of the United States. While the AstraZeneca vaccine has not been cleared for use in the U.S., UPS has worked closely with other countries, South Korea in particular, in distribution efforts. Price said the company is willing to transport any vaccine to any place in need.
UPS Healthcare and the UPS Foundation have also donated $3 million to COVID vaccination efforts.
"Distribution is really critical when it comes to vaccines. We've been doing healthcare distribution. We have a pretty substantial segment, but you know the ultra-low temperature required on these vaccines is what makes this one particularly unique," Price said. "Now, we have cold storage capability, so as part of our donation, that $3 million, part of it is just capacity of that ultra-low temperature."
With the company delivering nearly 25 million packages every day, Price said UPS has "plenty of capacity" to ensure the safe delivery of vaccines worldwide.
"We have to continue to drive solutions in manufacturing so that we're able to get these into the arms of citizens around the world," he explained.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
About 780,000 pressure washers sold at retailers like Home Depot are being recalled across the U.S. and Canada, due to a projectile hazard that has resulted in fractures and other injuries among some consumers.
