Company Information

FedEx History

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FedEx Corporation
Today's FedEx is led by FedEx Corporation, which provides strategic direction and consolidated financial reporting for the operating companies that compete collectively under the FedEx name worldwide: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical, FedEx Trade Networks, FedEx Supply Chain Solutions and FedEx Services.

Originally called FDX Corp., FedEx Corp. was formed in January 1998 with the acquisition of Caliber System Inc. Through this and future purchases, FedEx sought to build on the strength of its famous express delivery service and create a more diversified company that included a portfolio of different but related businesses. Caliber subsidiaries included RPS, a small-package ground service; Roberts Express, an expedited, exclusive-use shipping provider; Viking Freight, a regional, less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier serving the Western U.S.; Caribbean Transportation Services, a provider of airfreight forwarding between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Islands; and Caliber Logistics and Caliber Technology, providers of integrated logistics and technology solutions. These companies, along with worldwide express shipping provider Federal Express, composed the original FDX Corp. 

Over the next two years FDX Corp. oversaw the assimilation of these companies and introduced them to many trademark service and technology enhancements.

In January 2000, FedEx unleashed the power of its global brand. In a move to further integrate the company's portfolio of services, FDX Corp. was renamed FedEx Corporation. In addition, Federal Express became FedEx Express, RPS became FedEx Ground, Roberts Express became FedEx Custom Critical, and Caliber Logistics and Caliber Technology were combined to make up FedEx Global Logistics. To centralize the sales, marketing, customer service and information technology support for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground, a new subsidiary named FedEx Corporate Services (FedEx Services) was formed and began operations in June 2000. 

Over the next year, a number of acquisitions and realignments changed the size and scope of various FedEx operating companies. The first move was a new subsidiary, just one month after the re-branding announcement. In February 2000, FedEx Corp. announced the acquisition of Tower Group International, a leader in the business of international logistics and trade information technology. TowerGroup became the foundation of a new FedEx Corp. subsidiary, FedEx Trade Networks, which in turn acquired WorldTariff, a customs duty and tax information company, a month later. Today, FedEx Trade Networks is the largest-volume customs entry filer in North America and a leader in global ocean & air cargo distribution and trade facilitation. In January 2001 Caribbean Transportation Services became part of FedEx Trade Networks. In February 2001, FedEx Corp. finalized the acquisition of American Freightways, a leading LTL freight carrier serving 40 states in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., and rebranded American Freightways and Viking Freight as FedEx Freight. 

FedEx Corp. acquired privately held Kinko's Inc. in February 2004. Two months later, Kinko's was rebranded as FedEx Kinko's (rebranded again as FedEx Office in 2008). For FedEx, the acquisition meant expanded retail access to all of the 1,200 FedEx Kinko's stores in operation at that time, enhanced FedEx document management services and a broader reach to customers of all sizes. For Kinko's, the move added the resources and expertise needed to continue expansion of its corporate document outsourcing business and international operations. Following the acquisition, all U.S. FedEx Kinko's locations offered new or expanded FedEx shipping options for greater customer convenience.

In September 2004, FedEx Corp. acquired Parcel Direct, a leading parcel consolidator, and later rebranded it FedEx SmartPost. The acquisition complements the FedEx alliance with the U.S. Postal Service and provides customers in the e-commerce and catalog segments with a proven, cost-effective solution for low-weight, less time-sensitive residential shipments. 

In 2006, FedEx Corp. acquired ANC Holdings Limited, a United Kingdom domestic express transportation company.  This transaction allowed FedEx Express to directly serve the entire UK domestic market. ANC was then rebranded FedEx UK.

In 2007, FedEx Corp. acquired Tianjin Datian W. Group Co., Ltd.'s 50 percent share of the FedEx-DTW International Priority Express joint venture and DTW Group's domestic express network in China.  FedEx then launched a domestic express service serving the Chinese market.

Also in 2007, FedEx Corp. continued its acquisition of domestic express companies with the acquisitions of Indian express company Prakash Air Freight Pvt. Ltd. (PAFEX) and Hungarian express company Flying-Cargo Hungary Kft.

All the companies obtained through FedEx Corp. acquisitions, in addition to diversifying the FedEx services portfolio, also exhibited the same "absolutely, positively" spirit that FedEx is known for possessing—which made the companies a good fit. 

Today, FedEx Corporation is the premier provider of shipping and information services worldwide, and its companies function under the motto of "operate independently, compete collectively and manage collaboratively." By operating independently, each company can focus exclusively on delivering the best service for its specific market. Competing collectively under the trusted FedEx banner ensures that all of the companies benefit from one of the world's most recognized brands.

In August of 1971 following a stint in the military, Smith bought controlling interest in Arkansas Aviation Sales, located in Little Rock, Ark. While operating his new firm, Smith identified the tremendous difficulty in getting packages and other airfreight delivered within one to two days. This dilemma motivated him to do the necessary research for resolving the inefficient distribution system. Thus, the idea for Federal Express was born: a company that revolutionized global business practices and now defines speed and reliability.

Federal Express was so-named due to the patriotic meaning associated with the word "Federal," which suggested an interest in nationwide economic activity. At that time, Smith hoped to obtain a contract with the Federal Reserve Bank and, although the proposal was denied, he believed the name was a particularly good one for attracting public attention and maintaining name recognition.

The company incorporated in June 1971 and officially began operations on April 17, 1973, with the launch of 14 small aircraft from Memphis International Airport. On that night, Federal Express delivered 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities from Rochester, NY, to Miami, Fla. 

Company headquarters were moved to Memphis, Tenn., a city selected for its geographical center to the original target market cities for small packages. In addition, the Memphis weather was excellent and rarely caused closures at Memphis International Airport. The airport was also willing to make the necessary improvements for the operation and had additional hangar space readily available.

Though the company did not show a profit until July 1975, it soon became the premier carrier of high-priority goods in the marketplace and the standard setter for the industry it established. 

In the mid-1970s, Federal Express took a leading role in lobbying for air cargo deregulation that finally came in 1977. These changes allowed Federal Express to use larger aircraft (such as Boeing 727s and McDonnell-Douglas DC-10s) and spurred the company's rapid growth. Today FedEx Express has the world's largest all-cargo air fleet, including Boeing 777s and MD-11s and Airbus A-300s and A-310s. The planes have a total daily lift capacity of more than 30 million pounds. In a 24-hour period, the fleet travels nearly 500,000 miles while its couriers log 2.5 million miles a day – the equivalent of 100 trips around the earth.

The company entered its maturing phase in the first half of the 1980s. Federal Express was well established. Competitors were trying to catch up to a company whose growth rate was compounding at about 40 percent annually. In fiscal year 1983 Federal Express reported $1 billion in revenues, making American business history as the first company to reach that financial hallmark inside 10 years of start-up without mergers or acquisitions. 

The acquisition of Tiger International, Inc. occurred in February 1989. With the integration of the Flying Tigers network on August 7, 1989, the company became the world's largest full-service, all-cargo airline. Included in the acquisition were routes to 21 countries, a fleet of Boeing 747 and 727 aircraft, facilities throughout the world and Tigers' expertise in international airfreight. 

Federal Express obtained authority to serve China through a 1995 acquisition from Evergreen International Airlines. Under this authority, Federal Express became the sole U.S.-based, all-cargo carrier with aviation rights to the world's most populous nation. Since then, the company's global reach has continued to expand, resulting in an unsurpassed worldwide network. FedEx Express today delivers to customers in more than 220 countries and territories.

The first evolution of the company's corporate identity came in 1994 when Federal Express officially adopted "FedEx" as its primary brand, taking a cue from its customers, who frequently referred to the company by the shortened name. By that time, customers used the term as a verb, meaning, "to send an overnight shipment." It did not take long for the meaning to catch on, and today it's common terminology to "FedEx" a package. 

The second evolution came in 2000 when the company was renamed FedEx Express to reflect its position in the overall FedEx Corporation portfolio of services. This also signified the expanding breadth of the FedEx Express-specific service offerings, as well as a FedEx that was no longer just overnight delivery.

FedEx Trade Networks
From its origins in 1913 as customs broker C.J. Tower & Sons in Niagara Falls, N.Y., FedEx Trade Networks has evolved into one of the largest-volume customs entry filers in North America.

Following its purchase by McGraw-Hill, Inc. in 1986, C.J. Tower & Sons became Tower Group International, Inc. Three years later TowerGroup began a series of acquisitions that increased its presence across the U.S., and it emerged as a leader in international logistics and trade information technology.

FedEx Corp. acquired TowerGroup and World Tariff Ltd. to create FedEx Trade Networks in 2000. In 2002, TowerGroup was rebranded as FedEx Trade Networks Transport & Brokerage, Inc. The company provides customs brokerage, global ocean and air cargo distribution and other value-added services to assist customers with international shipping. 

A second subsidiary, called FedEx Trade Networks Trade Services, Inc., was also formed in 2002. This division incorporates the duty and tax data services of WorldTariff with Trade & Customs Advisory Services (TCAS), which is designed to streamline, automate, and simplify the international shipping process for customers, as well as provide comprehensive trade information. FedEx Trade Networks is the first company to provide a duty and tax application on its Web site. The ability to estimate duties and taxes online allows customers to access real-time customs duty, tariff and tax information for 119 countries.

Today, FedEx Trade Networks is one of the largest-volume customs entry filers in North America. Leveraged to access the wide array of services offered by the other members of the FedEx family of companies and their subsidiaries, FedEx Trade Networks provides FedEx global customers with end-to-end transportation and customs clearance solutions around the world. 

FedEx SupplyChain
FedEx SupplyChain, leveraging the strength of the entire FedEx portfolio of companies, provides solutions for its customers' most critical supply chain needs; from spare parts to emergency deliveries to the integration of returns into the product life cycle. In addition to the management of critical inventory needs, FedEx SupplyChain also provides customers complete order fulfillment and transportation management solutions, backed by visibility, order, and event management technologies that provide peace of mind throughout the entire distribution cycle.

Following the acquisition of the Caliber companies by FDX Corp. in 1998, RPS was officially rebranded FedEx Ground in January 2000. Later that year, the company launched FedEx Home Delivery, a business-to-consumer service designed to help catalog and online retailers meet the needs of the residential market with standard features such as evening and Saturday deliveries. In September 2002, FedEx Home Delivery completed its expansion and is now available nationwide, serving virtually every U.S. address.

In September 2004, Parcel Direct became a subsidiary of FedEx Ground after FedEx Corp. acquired the leading parcel consolidator. The service was later rebranded FedEx SmartPost and currently provides a cost-effective solution for low-weight, less time-sensitive residential shipments. 

In 1966, Viking Freight opened its doors in 1966 as a courier service within selected areas of California and rapidly grew to be the state's leading intrastate trucking carrier. By 1986, Viking's service area covered 10 western states, including Alaska and Hawaii. 

In 1988, Viking became a subsidiary of Caliber System Inc. During the next ten years, Viking solidified its position as the market leader in the West and periodically expanded its reach beyond its western regional territory. In January 1998, Federal Express Corp. acquired Caliber System and created FedEx Corporation, a global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services.

Meanwhile, American Freightways (AF) was founded in 1982 by Sheridan Garrison. Despite regulatory and economic obstacles, AF quickly became the fastest-growing, independently-owned regional LTL carrier in the nation. In 1989, AF became a publicly-held corporation and by 2001 had developed a wide network of customer centers – providing 100 percent direct coverage to 40 contiguous U.S. states. 

American Freightways was acquired by FedEx Corporation in 2001. By combining Viking and AF, FedEx Corp. created FedEx Freight to offer one-stop shopping for LTL customers who require top-quality, highly reliable regional freight service. In June 2002, FedEx re-branded AF and Viking as FedEx Freight to accelerate growth of regional LTL freight business through a common branding system. Through a comprehensive network of service centers and with timely, accurate information systems, FedEx Freight is committed to delivering reliable, responsive LTL service throughout the U.S. and beyond. 

In 2006, FedEx Corp. acquired Watkins Motor Lines, a leading provider of long-haul LTL services. Watkins was rebranded FedEx National LTL and now operates as a separate network within the FedEx Freight segment.

Today, FedEx Freight is the less-than-truckload shipping industry leader in the U.S.

FedEx Custom Critical
In 1947, FedEx Custom Critical was founded as a pickup-and-delivery trucking company called Roberts Cartage and became the visionary of the industry. The company changed its name in 1980 to Roberts Express and afterward made a bold move: it became the first carrier to focus solely on customized surface expediting. This new market niche provided exclusive-use, non-stop service that matched vehicle size to the customer's shipment, moving faster and at a lower cost than airfreight.

When North American industries learned of the Roberts Express concept, it caught on — quickly. In 1983, the company received authority to perform services across the United States. The White Glove Services® division was founded in 1988 to handle sensitive and high-value freight. Three years later, CharterAir® (now Air Expedite) took its inaugural flight. 

In 1998, FedEx Corporation acquired the parent company of Roberts Express, Caliber System Inc. Roberts Express became FedEx Custom Critical in 2000, aligned with one of the world's most recognized brands.

Today FedEx Services coordinates sales, marketing, information technology, customer service, and worldwide supply chain services support for the global FedEx brand. This includes the data management and networking expertise behind the package tracking capabilities for FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx Freight, along with e-commerce services, customer contact services, and other functions of the corporation’s professional services company.

Up to that point, Kinko's had focused purely on retail, small-business and home-business customers with ad hoc sales efforts. It applied minimal use of technology; its stores were uniform in size, and its product offerings were limited. But as its business grew the Kinko's customer base shifted from mostly academics to a broad range of personal and business customers. In response, the company expanded its services and markets. By the mid-1990s, Kinko's had grown dramatically to more than 800 stores through the formation of S-corporations.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice invested in Kinko's in 1996. More than 125 separate S-corporations were rolled up into a single C-corporation. The company installed centralized budgeting and financial planning systems, procurement, real estate and information services. Kinko's also started building and investing in its technology infrastructure, including digitally connecting its stores. 

The Kinko's customer base had continued to evolve and now included mobile professionals and commercial print buyers. The company realized it could not service the needs of these customers or make a meaningful connection using a one-size-fits-all approach. In addition, Kinko's had to find a way to better manage orders and workflow across its network.

FedEx acquired Kinko's in February 2004. Two months later, Kinko's was rebranded as FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Services.

In June 2008, the operating company changed its name to FedEx Office to better reflect its service and product offerings.