FedEx prepares for early Christmas rush and 280 million shipment high

With the holiday season just around the corner, FedEx is getting for an early peak in shipping volume.

In fact, the US courier company has forecasted its busiest day to be Monday, 10^th December with 19 million shipments being handled by its global network of freight, express and courier staff.

“The continued trend toward record peak volumes is a testament to the strength, speed and reliability of the FedEx Ground and FedEx SmartPost networks,” said Frederick W. Smith, founder and chairman of FedEx.

Compared to the shipping volume generated on 12^th December 2012, FedEx expects 2 million more shipments to be moved through the hands of its Christmas staff this year. This would result in a year-on-year increase of 10 percent.

“FedEx team members from around the globe, 300,000 strong, are prepared to help drive commerce during the busy holiday season and beyond”, confirmed Smith.

20,000 additional staff will be hired to help with the increased shipping volume. FedEx hopes to move approximately 280 million shipments between Thanksgiving and Christmas through its network.

Source: Post&Parcel / FedEx

Polish courier company Opek soon to be part of FedEx Express

The world’s largest express transportation company, FedEx Express, recently acquired the Polish courier service, Opek Sp.z.o.o.

Founded in 1994, Opek has delivered parcels in Poland for over 28 years whilst also establishing a huge network covering the majority of the country. The Polish courier company currently operates 44 stations in Poland whilst working together with 1,300 drivers and 1,200 employees. 

Image c/o Opek.com.pl

FedEx’ recent acquisition is going to add an estimated $70 million to its total annual revenue. Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Corp. talked about the courier company’s aims to have a “strong leadership and management and dedicated team members” enabling FedEx Express' success in the European market. 

In 1989, FedEx first entered the Polish market. Following its new flight connection between Warsaw and Paris, FedEx opened its branches offering parcel deliveries to and from Poland at Katowice and Warsaw Airport a year later.

Gerald P. Leary, president of FedEx Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa stated that the acquisition of Opek “represent[ed] a strategic fit with a common commitment to enhance the service [they could] offer Polish businesses, invest in [their] people and positively impact [their] communities as good corporate citizens.”

“We know that our employees and couriers will be proud to be part of the team at FedEx, which is one of the world’s most admired companies and is also known as a great place to work”, said Marek Opinski, general director of Opek.

FedEx' current Polish team consists of approximately 120 employees.

Source: FedEx Express