BRUSSELS, Nov. 13, 2009—FedEx Trade Networks, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and growing international ocean and air freight forwarder, today announced it has opened seven new freight forwarding offices across Asia and Europe as part of an aggressive global expansion plan. The company has opened a total of 14 new freight forwarding locations in 2009.
In Europe, the company opened two new facilities in Paris, France and Amsterdam, Netherlands. These openings mark the company’s first owned operations in Europe and will allow FedEx Trade Networks to provide its customers with enhanced freight forwarding services between Europe, Asia and North America, including additional support and capabilities in the growing Europe-Asia trade lane.
The Netherlands office also serves as the FedEx Trade Networks headquarters for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. In Asia, the facilities are located in Xiamen, Tianjin, Dalian and Ningbo, China, as well as a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These new offices support the company’s international freight forwarding operations and provide comprehensive coverage in key Asia-Pacific trade lanes.
“With this latest expansion in Europe and Asia, we can deliver more comprehensive global supply chain solutions to match the world’s ever-changing needs,” said Fred Schardt, president & CEO, FedEx Trade Networks. “Global shippers want flexible and reliable international freight forwarding, and our increased infrastructure can better support their needs between Europe, Asia and North America as well as intra-regionally.”
The expansion will result in numerous benefits for customers, including:
· Increased local market presence providing improved freight-forwarding service offerings in Europe and Asia, productivity and end-to-end support;
· Direct access to local personnel with industry experience and local expertise to support all needs;
· Expanded regional access to services including international direct distribution, supply chain visibility, online FedEx trade tools such as WorldTariff®, and trade and customs advisory services; and
· Seamless support across other FedEx operating companies in each market and enhanced access to the FedEx global network.
These facilities are the latest additions to the company’s plan to expand its global presence in key markets throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 2008, FedEx Trade Networks opened freight forwarding operations in Hong Kong and Shanghai followed by offices in Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan and Qingdao, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China in 2009.