FedEx has opened new hubs in the USA and Northern Ireland and expanded the geographical coverageof its FedEx 1Day Freight service in Canada.
FedEx Ground yesterday officially opened its $100 million major distribution hub inKernersville, North Carolina. It is part of the company’s ongoing nationwide network expansion andaims to accelerate transit times, boost daily parcel volume capacity and further enhance the speedand service capabilities of its network.
The 410,000 sq ft (38,090 sqm) facility is located in the city of Greensboro and features thelatest automated material handling technology that moves packages at 540 feet per minute alongnearly 15 miles of conveyor belts, processing 15,000 packages per hour. With a projected futureexpansion, the hub could eventually process 45,000 packages per hour. The current workforceincludes more than 550 full-time and part-time employees and about 200 independent contractoropportunities, FedEx Ground said.
“We’re very excited to begin full operations at the new, fully automated Greensboro hub. Thisfacility is an important milestone in FedEx Ground’s nationwide network expansion,” said John C.Payne, senior vice president of linehaul, maintenance and safety for FedEx Ground. “Enhancing ourdistribution capacity in the Southeast region is an important step in our ongoing efforts toincrease the size, speed and efficiency of our network. The new facility will join existing hubfacilities in Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando and Nashville in serving the Southeast region and itsexpanding presence in the transportation and logistics businesses.”
Separately, FedEx Express confirmed to CEP-Research the opening of a customised warehousefacility with adjoining new offices based at Kilroot Business Park, Carrickfergus, located nearBelfast, Northern Ireland. The facility is expected to improve the competitiveness of localexporting companies while creating new jobs in the region.
“The services available from this new facility will assist local firms in accessinginternational markets as well as provide local employment opportunities,” FedEx said in astatement. The new hub is expected to reduce delivery times offering a Next Day timed delivery toeast coast US cities.
The facility is owned by the property company Highcross and includes an existing 1,858 sqmwarehouse unit and adjoining 232 sqm new office building, built to FedEx’s specification as part ofa ten-year lease. Kilroot Business Park includes more than 66,890 sqm of industrial and businessspace as well as development opportunities. “FedEx’s new accommodation is to be the NorthernIreland Flagship Depot for international consignments, providing exciting new opportunities forlogistics operators, local businesses and employment within the area,” Highcross stated.
Meanwhile, FedEx Express Canada has expanded its FedEx 1Day Freight service in Canada, addingeight cities in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. FedEx 1DayFreight service is now available in the cities including Brandon (MB), Prince Albert (SK), NorthBattleford (SK), Yorkton (SK), Moose Jaw (SK), Lloydminster (SK&AB), Grande Prairie (AB), andCastelgar (BC).
The service offers overnight delivery of freight to the airport or right to the door by 5:00p.m. the next business day. FedEx customers with palletised freight exceeding 68 kg (150 lbs) andup to 997 kg (2,200 lbs) will be able to benefit from this time-sensitive service backed by theFedEx Money-Back Guarantee.
“The emerging growth and opportunities emanating from Canada’s heartland is being noticed theworld over,” said FedEx Express Canada President, Lisa Lisson. “FedEx 1Day Freight is the latestexample of FedEx Express Canada connecting Canadians and Canadian businesses across our countrywith efficient and reliable service.”
