FedEx started operations at its new million $300 (€210) million hub at Piedmont Triad InternationalAirport, North Carolina, Southeast USA, Associated Press reported.
The new 92,900 sqm East Coast facility has the capacity to sort 24,000 packages per hour. Thecompany chose the site about a decade ago, and officials have planned a third runway to help handlethe volume.
About 160 employees have reportedly been moved from FedEx’ current Piedmont TriadInternational terminal to the new hub. Due to the economic situation, however, FedEx does not planto immediately expand its workforce at the new hub.
Jim McCluskey, spokesman for FedEx, said that the company would still consider adding another200 employees to the site during fall this year, but he cautioned that those plans are notfinalised. “With the economy being as it has been, we’re anxiously hoping for a turnaround.Depending on where the economy goes, it will drive our next move at the hub”, he said.
FedEx previously planned to open the hub with a number of 600 to 800 employees, creatingabout 1,500 jobs once the site reached peak capacity. This would help FedEx to reach the potentialof the Mid-Atlantic hub which can handle additional flights and packages.
Separately, FedEx Ground began construction of a new €70 million ($100 million) sorting hubin Kernersville late last year. Also located near Piedmont Triad International Airport, thefacility is scheduled to open in 2011 employing about 500 people.
