PARIS, May 26, 2009 — As an official sponsor of the French Tennis Open, one of four major Grand Slam tennis events, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, is once again on hand to deliver its reliable international courier services for this prestigious tennis tournament.
The French Tennis Federation (FTF) recognises FedEx as a key carrier for the tournament’s international and European shipments. In 2008, FedEx handled all pick-ups from the stadium, including the anti-doping tests. This year, in addition to handling the usual transportation of goods and anti-doping tests to Roland-Garros, FedEx was also enlisted to handle the international shipment of more than 1,800 tickets from the end of March through to the first week of May.
“The agreement between FedEx and the French Tennis Federation is a natural fit for both organisations,” said Robert W. Elliott, president of FedEx Express Europe, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Africa. “The backdrop of the historic Roland-Garros stadium reflects some of the core attributes of FedEx, such as precision, anticipation, speed and service. As such, we’re extremely proud to be recognised as the exclusive international carrier of the tournament and its ability to reach an audience of millions around the world,” he added.
In line with FedEx global policy for sustainable development, and for the second year in a row, FedEx also supports the “Yellow Tennis Ball Project” launched by the FTF during the 2008 Roland-Garros tournament. The initiative collects used tennis balls which can then be ground into finer materials to make sports floor coverings, which are offered to youth clubs and public sporting facilities. Also in 2009, FedEx will support a new initiative in France to collect used tennis balls from across 4,000 clubs in the country.
In terms of successful projects, more than 51,000 tennis balls have been recycled to make the first sports floor which was offered to the re-education centre for handicapped children in Voisenon (Seine-et-Marne, near Paris) and inaugurated on May 19, 2009.
All Roland-Garros products sold through the French Open website http://store.rolandgarros.com/index.php?language=en will be shipped by FedEx Express as the exclusive international carrier. FedEx also offers its international express services in-site at the FTF suite and the media centre during the event.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. 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.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $38 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.