Monday, November 7, 2011
It's hard to remember a world without overnight package delivery. But back in the '60s, the concept was as fantastic as taking a photo with your phone. Frederick Smith saw the potential as business technology blossomed. He launched Federal Express in Little Rock, Ark., in 1971 with 389 employes and 14 jets. Today, FedEx is the world's largest express transportation company, with 290,000 employees moving an average of more than 8.5 million shipments for express, ground, freight and expedited delivery a day. The company operates a fleet of 687 aircraft and more than 90,00 vehicles.
Smith, 67, still serves as CEO and chairman of the board. He was in Tampa Bay last week to receive the Tony Jannus Award for achievement in commercial aviation. Smith talked with the Times about how FedEx got started, flying jets on biofuel and the ...