Innovation Moves FedEx Forward

If there is one thing that is constant in today’s world, it’s change. There’s always a new technology or idea that has the potential to shift consumer expectations, change how people connect, or even fundamentally change how we do business. It’s for this exact reason that innovation has been at the heart of everything we do at FedEx since our operations began in 1973.

For us, innovation is more than upgrading technology. We are constantly looking for opportunities to make life easier for our customers. We strive to develop solutions that take into account our customers’ desires, expectations, and behaviors — while anticipating needs that they may not even know they have!

For example, we heard about the frustration customers felt with bulky shipments, such as TVs, exercise equipment, or furniture. They didn’t want to move the items from their porch to the room where they needed it. Enter FedEx Freight Direct! We worked closely with our customers to identify a gap and create a new service tailored to their needs. Now, customers who purchase larger, bulkier items online can expect them to be delivered into their homes and businesses without lifting a finger.

Some innovations bring us into a bold future, providing new ways to connect — and a new way to do business. Last year was exceptionally exciting as we piloted two new delivery methods that explore the future of retail delivery:

• Roxo, the FedEx SameDay bot, an autonomous delivery device designed to make same-day and last-mile deliveries, addresses consumers’ ever-increasing demand for fast delivery. Initial testing has taken place in the U.S., and RoxoTM recently made the first international appearance in Dubai, U.A.E.
• FedEx Express and Wing launched a pilot program for drone deliveries in Christiansburg, VA with the hopes of enhancing last mile service for urgent same-day deliveries and customers in rural and semi-rural areas and creating a new avenue of growth for local businesses.

But technology enhancements are only half of the story. Recent upgrades and investments to FedEx infrastructure enable us to change how we operate to meet our customer’s needs.

In today’s world, there is no such thing as a business day. Consumers shop online every day of the week, on holidays, and late into the evenings. That’s why we’re constantly evaluating our solutions to see where we can fill in the gaps for your business. Starting this month, FedEx Ground will deliver residential shipments seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday. That’s because for our customers, we know every day is a business day. This new service will help businesses deliver customers’ packages up to two days sooner — at no additional cost to their business.

When I think about innovation, I don’t just think about the new technologies or services we unveil. These innovations are just the tip of the iceberg. I think about our commitment to continuous improvement. Every team member across our organization is encouraged to constantly evaluate how they do their job, looking for opportunities to provide an outstanding customer experience. I can’t wait to see what our brilliant team comes up with in 2020.