BRUSSELS, October 28, 2011--Today, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, welcomed Kris Peeters, minister-president of the government of Flanders, and mayor Jean-Pierre De Groef of Machelen, as they officially inaugurated the company’s new, state-of-the-art distribution center in Machelen.
The new facility represents the latest in a series of major FedEx investments in Belgium over the last four years. The company, which has maintained its regional headquarters in Brussels since 1985, employs more than 800 team members in Belgium and has four other distribution centers in the country.
“FedEx has always recognized the importance of Belgium for its strategic place at the very heart of Europe,” said David Binks, senior vice president, Operations, FedEx Europe. “The inauguration of this wonderful new facility is a strong testament to our trust and confidence in Belgium and the economic opportunities we hope to create here.”
Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters will join the FedEx event addressing internal and external stakeholders about the critical role the logistics and transportation industry plays to the overall well being of the Belgian economy.
“This green and innovative distribution center will provide local Flemish and multinational companies alike with the opportunity to grow and expand their businesses by providing unfettered access to the global marketplace,” said Kris Peeters, minister-president of the government of Flanders.
In the Machelen community specifically, the operation of the FedEx Express distribution center will make a positive contribution to the economic vitality of the city.
“Machelen has a strong and vibrant community and we are delighted that FedEx Express has decided to make it home to a facility that is so important to its business in Belgium,” said Machelen mayor Jean-Pierre De Groef. “We are convinced that in the coming years new investments such as this will follow and that the revival of the long-established industrial zone in Machelen will continue to develop.”
Committed To Sustainability
FedEx is committed to connecting the world responsibly and resourcefully and has designed the distribution center at Machelen to feature a wide array of impressive energy-saving measures, including:
· A solar powered roof producing an average energy production of 144,000kWh per year-equivalent to the annual electricity needs of 30 households
· The installation of features which capture and use rainwater for the facility’s sanitary and cleaning systems
· The introduction of an advanced ventilation system enabling heat to be captured and utilized in the building
· The optimal use of natural daylight to reduce energy
consumed on lighting
This facility has received an E-Level rating of -5, a noteworthy example of sustainable design according to the energy efficiency rating system in Belgium. In comparison, most standard scores for an office building or other facility is E-Level 100.1
Employing 150 team members in Machelen, the new facility is 5,020 square meters in total and has a 3,441 square meter sorting area that can handle up to 9,500 packages a day.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
Corporate Overview
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $40 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
# # #
1The “E-level” indicates the energy efficiency of a building in Belgium