Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx and the man widely credited with revolutionizing the shipping and logistics industry, has died. Smith was best known for pioneering the concept of overnight delivery, fundamentally changing how businesses and individuals approached time-sensitive shipments around the world.
Born in 1944, Smith founded Federal Express in 1971, launching the company with a focus on fast and reliable air-ground delivery. His vision set a new industry standard that would eventually become a critical infrastructure component for modern commerce. The company began operations officially in 1973 with just 14 aircraft serving 25 cities, but its emphasis on guaranteed overnight delivery quickly gained traction and notoriety.
Under Smith’s leadership, FedEx grew into a global logistics giant, operating one of the world’s largest fleets and employing hundreds of thousands of workers across the globe. He remained CEO for decades before stepping down in 2022, though he continued to serve as executive chairman.
Throughout his career, Smith was recognized for his leadership and innovation. His service as a U.S. Marine and his deep understanding of logistics informed many of his business decisions. He was lauded for helping shape not only FedEx but the broader e-commerce and global trade environments at large.
Smith’s death marks the loss of one of the shipping industry’s most influential figures. Details about his passing and arrangements have not yet been released.
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