A visionary of the logistical needs of his time, Frederick Wallace Smith , better known as Fred Smith, founded FedEx Co. , a company where he began to write his legacy for more than 50 years in the express package delivery industry.
Under Smith’s leadership, the company began operations in 1973 with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon aircraft, finding an opportunity with the US Postal Service.
Considered the creator of the air cargo hub , he saw Memphis, Tennessee, as the ideal place to launch his revolution: the global transportation and logistics industry.
“Today, it’s a global company that connects people, stories, businesses, and economies through its presence in more than 220 countries and territories, with more than 500,000 employees and a fleet of 700 aircraft operating in 650 airports around the world,” Jorge Torres, vice president of FedEx Express Mexico , stated via social media .
Torres stated that during his 34-year career at the company, “I had the privilege of knowing him, listening to him in forums and meetings, taking his phone calls, visiting him at his office in Memphis, hosting him in Mexico on several occasions, presenting him with information, and having conversations through which I always learned something new.”
Today, FedEx is the world’s largest express transportation company, moving nearly two trillion dollars in goods annually and more than 17 million shipments per day, and generating more than $87 billion in annual sales .
Based on Transport Topics ‘ North American Top 100 For-Hire Carriers ranking , FedEx is ranked number two, the same position in the top 50 largest freight carriers in the world, and number 43 in the top 100 largest logistics companies in North America.
FedEx and its sponsorships
Smith also enjoyed American football, acquiring a minority stake in the Washington team in 2003 , but sold his shares in 2021.
However, the brand sought to sponsor several sports that shared its attributes of speed, reliability, precision, teamwork, and execution, among others.
FedEx has sponsored the NFL since 2000, and is the official trophy delivery company of the NFL, Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, UEFA Champions League, the Memphis-area PGA Tour golf tournament , and the FedEx St. Jude Classic .
It also collaborates with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide select grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide players with need-based scholarships, to name a few.
Beyond his business achievements, Smith was a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of numerous charitable causes .
Frederick Wallace Smith died of natural causes on June 21 in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 80. “ His death marks the end of an era for the global transportation and logistics industry , an industry he founded and revolutionized through his innovative vision and relentless pursuit of excellence,” the company said.
“Today, the world bids farewell and gives thanks for the legacy of one of the most brilliant minds, an innovative leader who revolutionized the way we do business and always conveyed his passion for excellence, putting people first and foremost,” Jorge Torres emphasized.
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