FedEx Express has made a range of investments in its European and Asian operations, including morefeeder flights and plans for a new head office in Europe, a new facility in Australia and
additional retail outlets in China.In Europe, FedEx Express launched new feeder flights from Germany and Britain to its Europeanair hub in Paris at the end of October to improve its services.
In Germany, FedEx Express inaugurated a new Hanover-Paris air route, with Monday-Thursdaydepartures from Hanover and Tuesday-Friday flights from Paris. The aircraft type and capacity wasnot disclosed.
The new flights improved customer service in northern Germany, with later cutoff times andfaster transit times, FedEx Express Germany announced. Intra-European documents and parcels fromthe region would be delivered next day, while shipments to Asia would take only two days.
In Britain, FedEx Express has added a new Monday-Thursday flight between Newcastle and theParis hub. The evening departure means customers will enjoy more convenient late pick-up times fortheir packages, the company said. “This new flight helps to support the North East of Englandeconomy by providing, for the first time, next-business-day access to and from the economies ofEurope,” said Arthur Stanley, vice president, Northern Europe Operations, FedEx Express.
Meanwhile, FedEx Express recently signed a deal to build a new regional headquarters forEurope, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa in La Hulpe, Belgium. The move will allow it toconsolidate its headquarters which are currently split between three sites in Belgium. The plannedrelocation will involve about 600 personnel encompassing office staff and senior management. Thecompany’s logistics operations personnel will remain in Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, and Melsbroek.
Robert W. Elliott, President of FedEx Express, Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinent andAfrica, said: “After a rather exhaustive search, we believe we have found the perfect location forour campus-like headquarters in La Hulpe. It is centrally located in Europe, allows us to retainour Belgian employees, has access to international and public transportation connections and has acommercially zoned site set in natural surroundings. Additionally, we have been operating inBelgium for 23 years, and I think it is a great place to do business.”
Separately, in the Asia Pacific region, FedEx Express has opened a new facility on Australia’s Gold Coast close to Brisbane Airport. The new 925 sqm building is three times bigger than theprevious facility and will enable the company to operate more efficiently and improve customerservice.
“FedEx is optimistic about the prospects for Australia,” commented FedEx Express RegionalVice President David Ross. “The service enhancements that we continue to introduce to this marketreflect our confidence in the economy and our commitment to meeting increasing customer demands forlogistics related services.”
Meanwhile, FedEx Kinko’s, the group’s office services retail chain, has opened its seventhand eighth stores in Shanghai. The two new stores, located in Zhuyuan Commercial and Trade Zone inthe Pudong New Area and Xu Jiahui Commercial Center in Puxi, mean the company now covers mostShanghai business areas.
Currently, FedEx Kinko’s has seventeen locations in China, including six locations inBeijing, eight in Shanghai, one in Guangzhou and two in Shenzhen. The company plans to open ninemore locations in China by June 2008, bringing the total number of stores to twenty-six.
“These new locations are an integral part of our overall strategy to provide SMEs and mobileprofessionals with even greater access to our office and print services, as well as the FedExtransportation network,” said James Brigance, vice president, FedEx Kinko’s Asia Pacific.
