Fedex Express

FedEx is a multinational transportation company whose central headquarter is in Memphis (USA). In FY'08, the corporation generated a "yearly revenue of 37.953 billion $ (+8% year over year) and employed more than 290,000 people. The company, created as "Federal Express" in 1971, became "FedEx Corporation" in 2000, a corporation holding eight companies (FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical, FedEx Trade Networks, FedEx Services, and FedEx Supply Chain Services)" (FedEx, 2008). FedEx Express Europe is one of the four divisions of FedEx Express; the others are North America, Latin America, and APAC.

FedEx provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. "The unique FedEx operating strategy works seamlessly - and simultaneously - on three levels:

* Compete collectively by standing as one brand worldwide and speaking with one voice.

* Operate independently by focusing on our independent networks to meet distinct customer needs.

* Manage collaboratively by working together to sustain loyal relationships with our workforce, customers and investors" (FedEx, 2008)

Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its employees and contractors to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. The company's strategy is business to business oriented: advertising, promotions and events are tailored to this market segment; however, also many private individuals ship with FedEx, but they generate less than 5% of FedEx volumes and revenue.

Furthermore, "with service in more than 220 countries and territories, FedEx play a large role in world issues. By accelerating global connections, we provide access to new opportunities and empower people and businesses with more choices and greater confidence" (FedEx, 2008). Currently, FedEx offers a complete portfolio of transportation services only in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and in few other countries. In LAC, APAC and EMEA regions, the company led by Frederick Smith decided to focus on the International Express Service, because it is the segment with the highest revenue per pack (yield) and with the highest entry barriers. Outside North America, the exceptions to this niche strategy are UK, India and China, where the recent acquisitions of local couriers allowed offering the Ground and the Domestic services as well.