FedEx

FedEx is an American multinational delivery and logistics company, one of the largest and most recognizable shipping and courier services in the world. Founded in 1971 as Federal Express, the company began operations in 1973 with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets operating out of Memphis International Airport, now the world's busiest cargo airport. Founder Frederick W. Smith conceived the idea for an overnight air delivery system in a Yale University term paper that earned a mediocre grade but would transform global commerce. The company's name became synonymous with fast, dependable package delivery, even entering common usage as a verb.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx built a vast global logistics network spanning more than 220 countries and territories, employing over 500,000 people. Its operations include FedEx Express (overnight air), FedEx Ground (residential and commercial delivery), FedEx Freight (less-than-truckload and truckload), and FedEx Office (print and document services). The company also provides supply chain management, e-commerce solutions, and international freight forwarding. Its purple and orange logo, with a hidden arrow between the E and x, symbolizes speed and precision.

FedEx is one of the Big Three global parcel delivery companies alongside UPS and the USPS. In fiscal year 2024, it reported revenue of approximately $87.7 billion. The company has faced controversies, including a 2020 settlement of $35 million for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act related to shipping illegal prescription drugs, and criticism over labor practices and environmental impact. Recent initiatives include the DRIVE cost-cutting program aiming to save $4 billion annually by 2025, and investments in automation, AI-driven route optimization, and electric delivery vehicles.[edit]