UPS has announced a series of enhancements to its network and infrastructure which reduces transit times between more than 350 cities in 26 countries across Europe.

Customers from areas in the UK will now benefit from faster ground shipping to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. UPS Express shipments are improving as well, with faster shipping times between the UK and Lithuania and northwestern Poland.

“Business owners in the UK need to be confident their customers will receive their orders on time, at the right place and at the right price,” said Luis Arriaga, country manager, UPS UK. “To help businesses do this, we’ve reduced shipping times by up to 24 hours.”

The recent time in transit improvements are part of UPS’s $2 billion investment in its European network and infrastructure between 2014 and 2019. UPS has already completed one-third of this network expansion and redesign program, with new facilities announced in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK.

In November 2015, UPS announced plans to construct a new 32,000 square meter package sorting and delivery facility at the DP World London Gateway logistics site in the south east of England. At close to £120 million, this project constitutes one of UPS’s largest infrastructure investments outside of the United States in the company’s history. The facility, expected to be completed in the summer of 2017, will act as a UK hub and distribution centre for the local area as well as a key gateway to UPS’s global transportation network. Once completed, the facility will be able to process approximately 30,000 packages per hour, with room for further expansion.

“Businesses that export are more successful in good times and more resilient in times of adversity,” said Nando Cesarone, president, UPS Europe. “UPS’s network enhancements make it easier for businesses in the UK to trade faster across Europe.”